Xcel Energy's Popular Solar Rebates Won’t Be as Generous

The popular Xcel Energy program to subsidize solar panels on Minnesota homes and businesses is slated for major changes next year that may make it less attractive to customers who install such systems.

But Xcel said Thursday that it expects more people to take advantage of its Solar Rewards program even if incentives are reduced further in 2015 and 2016 as the company proposes.

Net metering laws may be challenged in California

In California’s sun-scorched Central Valley, the monthly electric bill can easily top $200. But that’s just about what George Burman spent on electricity for all of last year.

When the sun is shining, the solar panels on his Fresno condominium produce more than enough power for his needs, and the local utility is required to buy the excess power from him at full retail prices. Those credits mostly offset his purchases from the electric company during cloudy days and at night.

Ebay installs solar panels after Utah lobbying victory

Ebay has installed its largest renewable energy project - a 665 kW solar installation at its Topaz data center in South Jordan, Utah - enabled by a recent legislative victory. Senate Bill 12, signed into law on March 21, allows companies to buy and transmit power directly from renewable energy developers. 

Ebay lobbied for the law with an association of data center professionals representing 1,000 companies in 66 countries, including Google, Oracle, Twitter and Adobe. The Utah legislation is free-market based, giving choice to major energy users when it comes to sourcing their energy, according to Mindy Lubber, president of investor advocacy organization Ceres, writing in Forbes. That reduces exposure to fossil fuel prices and increases a company's ability to control energy costs, Lubber said. 

Mass. Senate to tackle energy bill

A multi-faceted energy bill aimed at reining in electricity costs in Massachusetts while also continuing to promote growth in renewable power sources is set for debate at the Statehouse.

Senate President Therese Murray has scheduled the bill for a vote on Thursday.

The measure, endorsed last week by a legislative committee, requires competitive bidding for long-term renewable energy contracts and would require that utilities purchase at least 7 percent of their total power supply from renewable sources, up from the current 3 percent.

Pakistan: National energy policy

Reportedly, recommendations have been made to PM to increase gas prices by 34 percent from January 2012, impose levy for next 15-20 years to build Rs100bn gas pipeline, keep existing fuel surcharges, transfer increase of gas prices on commercial sector to consumers, and use tax money to pay for subsidy to make imported gas affordable (Increase in gas tariff for all sectors proposed, local news, Dec. 29, 2011). The increase in gas prices and giving subsidy to energy mafia shows that PPP government has failed to devise a comprehensive energy policy. Due to government’s pro-energy mafia policies, the sector is profiteering at the cost of public and national interests. Pakistan therefore needs to adopt alternate energy to provide relief to public, sustain economy, generate jobs, reduce energy prices, end fuel subsidies, cut dependence on energy imports, decrease inflation, and control trade imbalances.

Bangladesh: New policy fires up solar energy business

A government policy to promote renewable energy has lured a large number of new entrants into the business, particularly for solar panel installations, sector people said.

In the last two years, nearly 100 firms and NGOs have appeared on the scene to sell technologies including solar home systems, irrigation pumps, water heaters, street lights and their accessories and batteries.

UK: Pioneering town to drive green policy

A town whose energy-efficiency projects have caught the attention of ministers has been asked to help shape national policy for "the greenest Government ever".

Professor Stephen Frankel, on behalf of the Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network (WREN) in North Cornwall, will meet with eight officials from other communities across the country to advise ministers as part of the Community Energy Contact Group.

U.S. and Chinese energy policy: Chinese carbon caps

While U.S. Republican presidential candidates are vying for who will dismantle the EPA fastest upon winning the election and dismissing air pollution as liberal propaganda, China is considering a cap on greenhouse gases.

China has long surpassed the United States in funding for green technology, has recently instituted a solar feed-in tariff, and, in a further display of reasonableness, is now, at least, discussing a "campaign to limit the absolute amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted by certain industries in certain regions," according to a senior climate official, as reported in the China Daily.