Sen. Gregory (R-Lancaster) Introduces S.536 – solar leasing!

Posted on March 27, 2013 by admin

A bipartisan contingency of South Carolina Senators has introduced legislation (S.536) that would make third party energy sales and solar leasing legal in the state.  Solar leasing has become the preferred method of installing solar arrays on homes, businesses and institutions in many areas of the country, and this financing model is projected to grow the residential solar market from $1.3 billion in 2012 to $5.7 billion by 2016.
Read more about the senate bill here

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Solar Leasing Fundamentally Changing Electricity In US

Posted on March 6, 2013 by admin

Solar leasing has exploded onto the American scene offering reduced power bills for businesses and homeowners around the country. Take a look at this must read interview with the co-founder and CEO of SolarCity to get a better understanding of how this business model has fundamentally changed the nature of power generation.
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Free Market Solar Bill Derailed By SC House Subcommittee

Posted on February 21, 2013 by admin

Free markets and consumer choice took a hit this week in the South Carolina House of Representatives. A subcommittee failed to move discussions forward on a piece of legislation (H.3425) that would give home and business owners greater flexibility in financing distributed energy systems like solar arrays.
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Wind Association Debunks Myths

Posted on April 29, 2013 by admin

Myths about clean energy incentives and the reliability of resources like wind are debunked by AWEA.
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New Study: Grid Remains Stable With Significant Renewables

Posted on April 29, 2013 by admin

A new study commissioned by the Civil Society Institute demonstrates how significantly higher levels of renewable energy penetration are consistent with maintaining a reliable grid.
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Posted in Biomass, Economic Development, Renewable energy, Smart Grid, Solar, Wind | Leave a comment

Measuring The Value Of Energy Efficiency

Posted on April 29, 2013 by admin

Residential energy use disclosure policies are proving to be an effective way of introducing energy efficiency valuation into the marketplace.
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Posted in Economic Development, Energy Efficiency, Smart Grid | Leave a comment

Antiquated Electric Utility Model Under Pressure

Posted on April 29, 2013 by admin

As distributed energy technologies like solar continue to proliferate, how will utilities transition to a new business model? Here is an excellent assessment of the challenges and opportunities that currently face the electricity sector.
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Climate Change Hero On SC Television

Posted on April 29, 2013 by admin

South Carolina meteorologist Jim Gandy is taking a stand on climate change and working to educate the public about this threat. As he puts it, “Given the volume of research that’s been done, you cannot claim that you don’t believe the science, based on the science. You can say, ‘I don’t believe it because I am politically opposed to science.’ You can do that. It’s incorrect, but you can do it.”
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Google Demands More From Electric Utilities

Posted on April 29, 2013 by admin

Over 60% of Fortune 500 companies have greenhouse gas reduction targets, yet utilities are failing to offer sufficient clean energy options to businesses like Google that demand more access to renewables. That could be changing in North Carolina because of a new Duke Energy proposal.
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NC Benefits From Renewable Energy Policies

Posted on April 29, 2013 by admin

North Carolina’s clean energy policies have proven to be a boon for their economy and a cost saver for utility customers.  Even as electricity rates continue to rise and unemployment remains high in South Carolina, our elected leaders remain reluctant to learn from our neighbor’s successes.
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Public Demands Santee Cooper Remove Coal Ash From River Banks

Posted on April 29, 2013 by admin

The public calls for Santee Cooper to remove the coal ash from 82 acres of retention ponds on the banks of the Waccamaw River in Conway. Other utilities in the South Carolina (SCE&G) have opted for removal of coal ash when dealing with similar situations.
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Free Times: Over-Regulation Stifles Solar in SC

Posted on April 29, 2013 by admin

The InterTech Group in North Charleston has been a vocal supporter of eliminating barriers for solar investments in South Carolina. As noted in a recent report from the Free Times, they are bidding on projects in Georgia because there isn’t the opportunity to make these investments here in the Palmetto State.
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Sun News: Utilities Should Stop Obstructing Electricity Markets

Posted on April 29, 2013 by admin

As the Sun News recently put it, “Utilities need to get out of the way and allow solar power to make more inroads in South Carolina, allow consumers the chance to lower their electricity bills, and allow a bit of free market competition in the industry.”
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