Project Would Double Delaware's Solar Energy Capacity

A Connecticut commodities company is formalizing plans to build a solar-panel array large enough to double the state's capacity to generate power from the sun.

Freepoint Commodities, headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, has a contract to lease or purchase more than 400 acres that are mostly farmland in southern New Castle County. It wants to turn that land into the state's largest array of solar panels.

Peter Ford, managing director for Freepoint, declined to identify the exact parcels under contract. 

Delaware Law Would Require Electric Bill Transparency

Delmarva Power would be required to break out in its bills how much customers are paying for Bloom Energy and meeting state renewable energy requirements, according to legislation introduced by a Republican lawmaker.

The bill would require all electric utilities operating in Delaware to detail renewable and fuel-cell surcharges, although Delmarva is the only one with such a fee for Bloom Energy, a solid-oxide fuel cell manufacturer with a factory in Newark.

Proposed Delaware bill to make energy efficiency a state renewable energy purchase requirement

Electric utilities in Delaware would be able to count energy efficiency toward their state renewable energy purchase requirements, under a bill under consideration in the General Assembly.

The bill would also allow Delmarva Power to offer energy efficiency programs to residents and businesses. It is largely restricted from doing so under current law, which assigns the Sustainable Energy Utility that responsibility.

Report finds U.S. states energy policies improving

U.S. states are continuing to embrace best practices and drive further improvements in core renewable energy policies, according to the 2011 edition of Freeing the Grid, a policy guide that grades all 50 states on net metering and interconnection procedures.

The report's methodology was adopted for use in the U.S. Department of Energy's SunShot initiative, according to the Network for New Energy Choices, which produced the report in cooperation with Vote Solar, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, and the North Carolina Solar Center.

Delaware Governor signs comprehensive renewable energy legislation

Gov. Jack A. Markell, D-Del., has signed into law four renewable energy bills that constitute the Clean Energy Jobs package, which is designed to expand employment in renewable energy and put protections in place for ratepayers. The bills will facilitate the potential installation of approximately 250 MW of new solar photovoltaic systems by 2025, according to Markell's office.