QUICK NEWS, August 12: WHERE SOLAR’S PROMISE IS BLOCKED; CAPE WIND NAMES LOCAL COMP FOR ELECTRICAL; BUILDING ENERGY MANAGEMENT $$$ TO DOUBLE

WHERE SOLAR’S PROMISE IS BLOCKED Rules prevent solar panels in many states with abundant sunlight

Evan Halper, August 9, 2014 (LA Times)

“…Florida is one of several states, mostly in the Southeast, that combine copious sunshine with extensive rules designed to block its use…States like Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York — not known for clear, blue skies — have outpaced their counterparts to the south in the installation of rooftop solar panels…[One reason is] opposition from utilities grown nervous by the rapid encroachment of solar firms on their business…The business models that have made solar systems financially viable for millions of homeowners in California, New England and elsewhere are largely illegal in…[many] Southern states. Companies that pioneered the industry, such as SolarCity Corp. and Sunrun Inc., do not even attempt to do business there…Under the typical business model for the solar industry, homeowners sign lease agreements with installation companies. The homeowners pay the cost of the panels over time and sell any excess power the systems generate [at relatively high rates]…Along with tax breaks and other government incentives, the lease agreements have made solar installations increasingly affordable…Southern states, several of which cherish low electricity rates afforded by extensive use of coal, typically have far fewer solar incentives [and, often, permitting and interconnection obstructions]…” click here for more

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CAPE WIND NAMES LOCAL COMP FOR ELECTRICAL Fall River company named Cape Wind electrical outfitter; A Fall River company has been selected by Cape Wind to be the electrical outfitter for the 130-wind turbine project planned for Horseshoe Shoals in Nantucket Sound.

Ariel Wittenberg, August 6-7, 2014 (Tauton Daily Gazette via The Standard-Times)

“…[Fall River Electrical, a Massachusetts company, was picked as the subcontractor for the New Jersey/D.C.-based Weeks/Manson] to be the electrical outfitter for the 130-wind turbine [Cape Wind] project planned for Horseshoe Shoals in Nantucket Sound…Weeks Marine [has] invested in building a jack-up barge specifically to use for installing wind turbines offshore…[Before turbines are installed], workers from Fall River Electrical will help outfit the turbine towers with electrical equipment. That work will be done onshore, although…[the decision has not yet been reached on whether to use] New Bedford or Rhode Island’s Quonset Point…[A Cape Wind spokesperson those involved are committed to] maximizing potential for local and regional subcontractors…[and the] workers who build Cape Wind will be coming from the local and regional work force…” click here for more

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BUILDING ENERGY MANAGEMENT $$$ TO DOUBLE Navigant Research Leaderboard Report: Building Energy Management Systems; Assessment of Strategy and Execution for 14 Building Energy Management System Vendors

Q3 2014 (Navigant Research)

“The competitive landscape for building energy management systems (BEMSs) has heated up in recent years. Software developers aim to take advantage of a confluence of technology and market factors…[including] the advent of cloud-based software as a service (SaaS)…[and] a rise in demand for systems that reduce operating costs, control corporate carbon emissions, and increase visibility into operations…[T]he BEMS market is poised for significant growth…[because] the promise of data-driven energy management solutions has attracted a wide range of new and traditional players to the global market, each of which leverages a combination of tested technologies and innovative analytics capabilities to gain a foothold in this intensely competitive market. Navigant Research forecasts that the global BEMS market will grow from $2.4 billion in 2014 to $5.6 billion in 2020…” click here for more

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