QUICK NEWS, September 30: UTILITIES GO SOLAR; WIND COMES TO THE SOUTH; BUILDING EFFICIENCY ADVANCES

UTILITIES GO SOLAR Big utilities enter market for small rooftop solar

Ray Henry and Susan Montoya, September 28, 2015 (Philadelphia Inquirer)

“Traditional power companies are getting into small-scale solar energy and competing for space on your rooftop…The emerging competition comes as utilities and smaller solar installers fight over the future of the U.S. energy system. While the market for residential solar power remains a financial drop in the bucket for a big utility, the installation of solar panels overall grew by more than 50 percent in 2014 and is on track for another record-breaking year at time when the traditional utility business is pretty flat…These moves may have a range of effects for customers. The utilities experimenting in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan and Texas could make solar more affordable for average consumers by energizing competition and driving down prices…Smaller solar companies fear the incumbents will use their power to drive competitors from the market…These experimental programs are one part of a bigger, years long battle between the solar industry and utilities…” click here for more

click to enlarge

Tweet

WIND COMES TO THE SOUTH Recognizing North Carolina’s wind-energy potential

Harvey Seim, September 28, 2015 (The News & Observer)

“Earlier this summer, the online retailer Amazon announced its plans for a large-scale wind energy facility in northeastern North Carolina. The $400 million project will include 104 wind turbines and generate the equivalent of electricity needed to power 61,000 homes annually. The project expects to be operational in late 2016 and represents the first of its kind in the state and the South…For land-based wind projects, the future is clearly now. The project also illustrates the significant wind resources available in North Carolina – both on land and offshore. While an offshore wind farm may not be in the state’s immediate future, recent policy developments and ongoing research confirming the significant potential of offshore wind resources continue the momentum for offshore sites down the road…” click here for more

click to enlarge

Tweet

BUILDING EFFICIENCY ADVANCES Leading Global Real Estate Companies Mark Sixth Year of Improved Sustainability; ULI Greenprint Center Releases Building Performance Report; Shows Reductions in Energy and Carbon Emissions in Properties Worldwide

September 29, 2015 (Urban Land Institute)

“Over the past year, global real estate firms have reduced energy consumption in buildings by the equivalent of almost 280,000 barrels of oil and cut carbon emissions by the equivalent of removing 25,000 cars from the road, according to…Greenprint Performance Report: Volume 6…[It] shows that some of the world’s leading real estate firms are on track to reach Greenprint’s overall goal of reducing building emissions and energy consumption by 50 percent by 2030…Between 2013-2014, ULI Greenprint members have successfully reduced overall energy use and emissions: 3.3 percent reduction in energy consumption…2.7 percent reduction in carbon emissions…2.0 percent reduction in electricity…1.9 percent reduction in water use…These reductions are equivalent to: 277,856 barrels of oil not consumed…25,153 cars taken off the road…10,901 homes not consuming energy…3,063,538 trees planted 58,211 metric tons of coal not burned…” click here for more

click to enlarge

Tweet