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Twelve States Blazing the Solar Energy Way

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Solar energy is growing rapidly in America. In fact, in the first three months of 2013, solar power accounted for nearly half of the new electricity generating capacity in America. So which states are leading this charge? A new report highlights twelve states winning the solar race in the U.S. They are called the “Dazzling Dozen.”

So what is Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Vermont doing? It’s not necessarily direct sunlight that makes these top states leaders.

Dazzling Dozen

They are capitalizing on the new economics of solar. With the rapidly decreasing cost of solar (prices have come down 27 percent since last year) and the improved efficiencies, solar makes financial sense.

Now take the current economics and bundle that with good policy and you have a solar pathway. The Dazzling Dozen are blazing a solar path, providing easier access to solar energy for residents, businesses, public entities and utilities.

Solar Energy is on the Rise in States with Smart Public Policy

Below are the top four policies that any state can adopt to supercharge their solar adoption rate.

1. Renewable Electricity Standards

Eleven out of the dozen states have renewable electricity standards (RESs), while nine have solar carve-outs that ensure that a set percentage of the state’s electricity portfolio comes from solar energy. These policies work since utilities are required to increase procurement of solar into their energy portfolio.

2. Net Metering

Eleven of the Dazzling Dozen provide net metering – a program that gives customers credit for surplus solar energy they send to the grid. This program provides full market value for the excess solar electricity that homes, businesses and public agencies generate and feed back to the grid.

3. Interconnection Procedures

Ten of the states have implemented interconnection procedures that ease the interconnection process, allowing for higher penetrations of solar while maintaining a safe and reliable grid.

 4. Creative Financing Options

The name of the game is to make solar affordable for communities. These states offer unique financing options. Those that have cash to buy a system out front gain all the long term benefits of solar. However, some businesses or public entities need other vehicles to make solar viable. Solar integrators partenered with banks provide solar leases and solar power purchasing agreements (PPA). These methods provide either a 10-year lease payment or a 20-year risk-free term through a PPA, eliminating up-front capital costs and providing predictable energy prices.

While the Dazzling Dozen are seeing great success, solar still has a long way to go. They have created a successful framework through policy and solar energy programs that other states can follow. As long as states encourage smart public policy and private companies continue to drive solar innovation, solar will continue to increase its foothold in Americas energy mix.

The post Twelve States Blazing the Solar Energy Way appeared first on SPG Solar.


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