GLREA Annual Meeting will be held this Sat., December 3, 11:30 am – 3:30 pm at Arbor Brewing, 114 E. Washington, Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor Solar Users Network is cosponsoring the meeting which will include an update on state legislation, board elections, and presentation of GLREA awards. Keynote speakers will be Larry Ward, Executive Director of the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum and Thomas Lyon, Dow Chair of Sustainable Science, Technology and Policy, Ross School of Business, UM. Come learn what GLREA has been doing and plans to do. See old friends and make new ones. You don’t have to be a GLREA member to attend. You should pre-register on line at www.glrea.org. $15 registration fee to cover lunch.
GLREA Member Highlight
Michigan Solar Solutions (MSS) started in late 2007 in Commerce Township (Oakland County) and recently opened their second office in Riverdale (Gratiot County). MSS takes pride in their customer service. They have completed over 200 jobs with an aggregate total of over two megawatts of smaller residential and commercial systems.
They expect to install an additional 800 kW in 2017. MSS President Mark Hagerty states, “we finally feel like we are starting to make a difference in helping Michigan transition from a centralized grid to a distributed grid”.
www.michigansolarsolutions.com
Michigan News
Energy Legislation (SB 437 & SB 438) has passed the Michigan Senate and now is in the House. The legislation increases the Renewable Portfolio Standard to 12.5% by 2019 and 15% by 2021 from the current 10% by 2015. Energy efficiency programs are continued at least until the end of 2020. True net metering is retained, but now there is a monthly grid charge that could make customer-owned PV systems uneconomical. If this concerns you, contact your state representative.
Holland Energy Fund (HEF), a nonprofit supporting the City of Holland’s Community Energy Plan, has launched a new program, the Holland On-Bill Loan Program. The program offers homeowners loans for energy-saving upgrades (including solar panels), ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 that can be repaid directly through their electric bill. The loan terms are 5 to 15 years with fixed interest rates starting at 4.99 percent. http://hollandenergyfund.com/on-bill-loan-program
Michigan Agency for Energy (MAE) has released a Request-for-Information (RFI) for zero emission vehicle (ZEV) competitive projects. The RFI comes as a result of the Volkswagen (VW) settlement. The $14.7 billion settlement sets aside $1.2 billion for zero emission vehicle competitive projects. The RFI offers the opportunity for interested individuals and organizations to recommend eligible projects and programs. The information collected will help the state to submit a ZEV outreach plan.
Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (EIBC) recognized 3 companies and 3 individuals for their contributions to growing Michigan’s clean energy economy at the annual Energy Innovators Gala on November 10. John J. Viera, Global Director of Sustainability & Vehicle Environmental Matters for Ford Motor, was the keynote speaker and MPSC Chair Sally Talberg offered opening remarks. The 2016 honorees are: Business of the Year: McNaughton-McKay, Emerging Business of the Year: Inmatech, Employer of the Year: Walker-Miller Energy Services, Public Officials of the Year: State Senators Jim Ananich (D-Flint) and Dale Zorn (R-Ida), and Energy Innovators Hall of Fame: Allan O’Shea of CBS Solar (shown above). More details.
U.S. Dept. of Energy has announced $32 million for 10 projects that will make automated vehicles — from passenger cars to tractor trailers — more fuel efficient. Nearly $20 million of that was awarded to five universities and one company in the Midwest. The program — known as the Next-Generation Energy Technologies for Connected and Autonomous On-Road Vehicles, or NEXTCAR — aims to reduce individual vehicle energy usage by 20 percent. Funding recipients include University of Michigan and Michigan Tech. More details.
DTE Energy has completed installation of the largest solar array in Ypsilanti. The 800 kW array has 2,520 solar panels and is located on 5 acres owned by Highland Cemetery. DTE is completing work on 3 additional large-scale solar arrays in Detroit and Lapeer, with expected completion next spring. More details.
Beyond Michigan
Florida Voters rejected Amendment 1, a utility-backed measure to limit rooftop solar expansion, after a grassroots campaign and last-minute revelations raised doubts about the proponents’ claims that their goal was to expand solar generation. The vote was almost evenly split, falling short of the 60% needed for a state constitutional amendment to become law. A bipartisan coalition of solar advocates that included dozens of solar manufacturers, tea party groups and environmental organizations formed Floridians for Solar Choice to oppose the measure. More details.
Tesla Motors won the backing of shareholders to acquire SolarCity, the nation’s largest solar panel installer. Shareholders of both companies approved the merger by a wide margin. Tesla CEO Elon Musk proposed the merger in June, saying he wanted to create a one-stop shop for solar panels and electric cars. More details.
Canadian federal government has announced that it will source 100% of the electricity for its buildings and operations from renewable energy sources as part of its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030. By 2025, Public Services and Procurement Canada will be purchasing 100% of its electricity from clean energy sources. More details.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture has announced the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) FY17 solicitation of applications. REAP offers two types of funding assistance: Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses, and Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants to state, tribal, or local governments; institutions of higher education; rural electric cooperatives; or public power entities. For assistance with applications, interested parties should contact the USDA Rural Development Energy Coordinator for their state.
Red Lake Band of Chippewa in northern Minnesota is planning to install enough solar and energy storage over the next several years to end its use of fossil-fuel generated electricity. The 13,000-member tribe will install up to 25 MW of solar across casinos, tribal buildings, homes, and ground-mounted arrays, saving an estimated $2 million a year. More details.
Events
PACE Training will be held in Traverse City on Dec. 8, 12:00-3:30. Lean & Green Michigan training will include PACE financing, training manual, Michigan Saves, and a light lunch. Registration costs $150. Register here.
This newsletter is free. If you would like to subscribe, send a note to johnsarver3@gmail.com. Interested in getting information on energy programs and issues more frequently, visit our Facebook page and “like” us. Interested in becoming a GLREA member, you can join here.
SOURCE: GLREA
Click Here to be introduced to the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association