The Results are In! 2011 Marks Tremendous Growth for the Solar Industry

2011 was an exciting year for solar in the U.S., achieving record growth and 1,855 MW of installed photovoltaic systems. This represents a 109% growth over 2010, doubling from  887 MW, according to a Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) report.

2011 industry growth brought the United States to a capacity of 4,460 MW of installed solar PV, enough to power nearly one million households.

It was also a major year for the commercial PV market which grew 27% and reached 800 MW of solar installations. A large amount of this growth is due to the Section 1603 Treasury grant program which expired on Dec. 31st 2011.

2011 also marked an increase in solar affordability.  It has been reported that the average cost of a completed PV system dropped by more than 35% since the beginning of 2010.

EmPower is excited about the growing demand of Solar PV on Long Island. In 2011 EmPower achieved over 2MW of solar installations.  Attractive rebates and incentives have driven the appetite for solar energy and allowed our customers to reduce their carbon footprint and save money in doing so. We are excited to continue EmPowering our customers through 2012 and look forward to seeing even more growth this year!

EmPower Solar named Nassau County Business of the Month

County Executive Edward Mangano pays EmPower a visit and presents CEO, David Schieren and COO, Greg Sachs with the Business of the Month for June 2011

Federal Solar Grant For Commercial Projects Extended One Year

Great news.  Last week the federal government extended the Treasury Grant program in lieu of tax credits for commercial solar installations for one more year.  It was signed into law last Friday as part of the bipartisan Tax Cut Bill.   

The federal 30% tax credit for commercial solar projects has been in place for several years now, however it is only relevant if there are profits to apply the credits to. The government converted the credit into a grant as part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act so that companies could access the funding even during the economic downturn when profits were lower.

The grant program provided a critical boost to the solar industry over the past two years.  Getting the program extended until December 2011 is an important victory for the solar industry and the economy at large.

For more information please read here: http://www.seia.org/cs/news_detail?pressrelease.id=1181

Peak Load Limitation Lifted with New Legislation in NYS

On February 22, Gov. Patterson signed legislation which would improve net metering in New York State by eliminating peak load restrictions.  Under the old regulations, commercial entities could not install renewable energy systems that exceeded their metered peak demand in the previous 12 months.

Peak demand is the highest amount of power a building draws over the course of a year.  Most buildings in New York experience their peak demand in the middle of the summer, during the middle of a hot day.  At this time, they have on their AC units plus all their other usual equipment – resulting in large power requirements.  Power required is not the same as energy consumed.  A measure of power is instantaneous (kilowatts, kW), while energy measures power used in a specific time period (kilowatt-hours, kWh).

It is possible in New York for a commercial building to have a peak demand of 100 kW (probably occurring in July or August) and an annual energy consumed of 300,000 kWh.  The old net metering restrictions would limit this business to install a solar system of 100 kW.  Based on the solar conditions of their location, their 100 kW system may produce around 120,000 kWh annually (1200 kWh per kW installed per year).  120,000 kWh is less than half of the energy that they consume each year.

Passing this legislation which lifts the peak demand cap is a big step forward for New York State.  Businesses have thus far been unable to install solar systems designed to meet their energy needs.  Larger entities will be able to take full advantage of the solar resource falling on their roofs by installing larger solar systems.

Now we await interpretation of the legislation by the Public Service Commission to learn how it will be instituted.