solar power

No, the Federal Solar Power Subsidy Does Not Pay for Itself

4 Comments / Electricity, Energy markets, Environmental policy, Regulation / By

In effect, US PREF analyzes subsidies as if the companies, workers, and investors have no alternative prospects for income and would consume less electric power in the absence of subsidies for solar PV projects. In addition, US PREF ignores conventional analytical tools for investment analysis (net present value, for instance) even as it tries to claim that the solar investment tax credit is a good investment. I’d rate the report a FAILED policy analysis.

Solar Subsidies in Italy

1 Comment / Electricity, Energy markets, Environmental policy / By

Michael Giberson Carlo Stagnaro, writing in the European Energy Review, finds that Italy’s generous feed-in tariffs for solar power are creating challenges for both the Italian budget and the Italian energy market. In terms of investments, Italy’s experience with solar power is definitely a success… Only Germany has more PV capacity. Indeed, Italy has more …

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New Jersey Solar Installers Seek “Endless Summer” at Ratepayer Expense

5 Comments / Electricity, Energy markets, Environmental policy, Regulation / By

Michael Giberson A crisis is coming for the New Jersey solar power installation industry. Stringent solar power purchase requirements imposed on electric utilities (i.e. on electric utility ratepayers) has turned the state into the nation’s second largest for solar power capacity installed, behind only sunny California. But now that installed capacity is sufficient to meet …

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Net Metering in Indiana Sees Exciting 50 Percent Growth

2 Comments / Electricity, Environmental policy, Regulation / By

Michael Giberson From the Indianapolis Star, “More Hoosiers reap benefits of generating their own electricity“: [M]ore and more people around Indiana are starting to generate their own electricity, motivated by environmental concerns and feelings of energy independence. The arrangement is known as “net metering,” allowing customers to offset part of their energy costs and feed …

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Marc Gunther on the Brewing Solar Pv Trade Wars

Electricity, Environmental policy, Regulation / By

Michael Giberson Marc Gunther asks, “Should we worry about Chinese government subsidies to its solar industry? Or send the Chinese a thank-you note?” The issue is a “dumping” complaint filed by several U.S. based manufacturers with the U.S. International Trade Commission alleging China so subsidizes its solar PV production that the PV panels are being sold …

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The “First Feel-good Sustainability Story of 2012,” So Long As You Ignore the Costs

4 Comments / Electricity, Energy markets, Environmental policy, Regulation / By

Michael Giberson Consider the claim in the headline, “How One Man’s Roof Paid for His Car.” Here’s the introduction: It’s the first feel-good sustainability story of 2012. A man in Orlando, Florida installed solar panels on the roof of his home, sold the excess power back to the grid, and then used that money to …

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Cheap Natural Gas Undermining Solar Dreams

3 Comments / Electricity, Energy markets, Environmental policy, Regulation / By

Michael Giberson NPR reports from Pennsylvania how low natural gas prices have helped put the damper on some solar power dreams: Barbara Scott had 21 solar panels installed last March on her house in Media, Pa. Scott’s family was the first in the community, and she was prepared to evangelize, “We can have open houses …

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Is Subsidising Renewable Energy is a Good Way to Wean the World off Fossil Fuels?

9 Comments / Electricity, Energy markets, Environmental policy, Politics / By

Michael Giberson The Economist is hosting an online debate on the motion, “This house believes that subsidising renewable energy is a good way to wean the world off fossil fuels.” Matthew Fripp of the Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University has presented the affirmative case for the motion, Robert Bradley, Jr., of the Institute for …

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California Regulators Approve Generous Contract to Multinational Corporation at California Ratepayer Expense

Electricity, Environmental policy, Politics, Regulation / By

Michael Giberson Discovering that renewable power mandates can be expensive, California-style: “California Approves Solar Contract Despite High Cost“: Ultimately, the commissioners voted for Abengoa’s contract mainly because Abengoa already has spent five years and $70 million to develop Mojave Solar and has gotten all the permits and financing to start construction. They noted that getting …

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At Freakonomics, the Realization That State Solar Power Policies May Be Less Than Optimal

2 Comments / Electricity, Energy markets, Environmental policy / By

Michael Giberson File it under “Ya think???” A post at Freakonomics by Steve Sexton concludes that California’s solar power subsidies may not be making the best use of the technology. Sexton points out, for example, the 1,923 residential rooftop systems installed in cloudy San Francisco rather than sunnier California locations: If San Francisco’s residential solar …

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