October 4, 2017
Don’t be nervous when you hear talk of solar “incentive” programs going away, regardless of which of the following categories you fall into. (I use the word “incentive” loosely; these programs actually provide fair compensation for the solar energy you produce.) Existing Solar Owners If you’re getting SRECs in Massachusetts or REG payments in Rhode… Read the entire post »
September 28, 2017
If you’re looking for an article saying solar is dead, you’ve come to the wrong place. Solar is officially here to stay. Americans have had a taste of energy independence and they like it. The “solar revolution” is over because the war has been won. Sure, some utilities and anti-solar forces still want to kill… Read the entire post »
June 29, 2017
Rhode Island is now one of only two states in the country that has streamlined and standardized its solar permitting process to the benefit of its citizens and the planet. Governor Gina Raimondo recently signed landmark legislation (S.0562) creating a common process for the application, review and awarding of building and electrical permits for solar.… Read the entire post »
June 26, 2017
Last Friday, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC) issued a monumental order: effective September 1, the state will lift its Net Metering cap. If you aren’t familiar with the ongoing saga of net metering in America you might be wondering, why is this so exciting? Net Metering is the policy under which the utilities… Read the entire post »
June 15, 2017
America was founded by people standing up for what they believe in, and that characteristic continues to define us today. So even though there were many heavy hearts on June 1st when the President pulled America out of the Paris Climate Accord, there are reasons to be hopeful. State and city governments, private companies and… Read the entire post »
May 5, 2017
This time I’m letting an image do the talking. Wait — I can’t help myself — just a few words from me: The sun is setting on SRECs — quarterly checks that you get for going solar in MA — and the replacement program is less generous to the tune of thousands of dollars. Contact us… Read the entire post »
March 29, 2017
If you live in Massachusetts and your electricity is provided by your town’s “municipal utility,” then now would be a good time to go solar. Why? In a matter or months, sign-ups for the SREC solar incentive program end and the new SMART program goes into effect. However, the SMART program will only be available… Read the entire post »
March 27, 2017
The payments new solar owners get through the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Growth (REG) program change on April 1. (Need background on the “REG” program? Click here to read my article explaining the REG and the REF Grant.) Note that prices do not change if you are already enrolled in the program; you continue to… Read the entire post »
March 15, 2017
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are already in the SREC I or SREC II program, nothing changes. You will continue to earn SRECs for the remainder of your 10-year period. People signing up for SRECs and going solar in the next few months also get 10 years of SRECs. People signing up for solar in 2018… Read the entire post »
March 3, 2017
Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo has announced a goal of increasing the state’s clean energy capacity by 10 times by the end of 2020. That’s a very impressive and ambitious goal, and we commend her for the commitment to the environment and to the economic growth that comes with a flourishing renewable energy industry. The Governor’s… Read the entire post »
I started writing The Energy Miser in 2011 because I like to analyze energy issues and pontificate about my findings. Got a topic you want me to cover? Let me know.
