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2.12.2011

State Renewable Programs Under Attack:



 Will the RPSs Fall?

A Republican effort to eliminate Colorado's RPS has already failed, but the debate rages on in Missouri, Montana and Minnesota.

Michael Kanellos: February 11, 2011
State Renewable Programs Under Attack: Will the RPSs Fall?

Right now, the Republican-fueled attacks against state green energy programs face steep odds, but who knows -- one of these could get through.

Legislators in Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri and Montana have introduced bills to curtail or eliminate the renewable portfolio standards in their respective states.

Some of these are clearly symbolic gestures, similar to the bill recently passed by the House of Representatives to repeal President Obama's health care law. The three bills introduced in Colorado by Republicans have already been killed in committee. Colorado passed an RPS requiring utilities to get 10 percent of their power from renewable sources in 2004 and has amended it twice to bring the total to 30 percent. Democratic governor John Hickenlooper, an advocate of renewables, would likely have vetoed the bills.

Ditto in Montana. The state, although quite conservative, is one of the prime sources for wind power in the country. Two of the state's largest utilities also don't want to see the RPS repealed.

"Montana has wind, lots of wind. The state is ranked among the top five for wind power potential and several utility-scale wind farms are in operation. Montana currently has about 375 megawatts of capacity of commercial wind installed. But the state ranks 18th in actual generation," the state's website says. 500 more megawatts are slated to come online later this year.

Missouri could present a challenge. Voters in the state passed an RPS requiring utilities to get 15 percent of their power from renewable resources by 2015 in 2008 after the legislature failed to pass a similar RPS. The new bill in Missouri, however, would not eliminate the RPS. Instead, it would permit utilities to fulfill the requirement by buying renewable energy credits instead of actually bringing solar and wind into the state. Thus, the bill isn't a direct, frontal attack on a voter-approved initiative: proponents will likely argue it is just a tweak. Thus, indignation and opposition could become a little tough to muster. (Then again, switching to credits will let opponents argue that the new bill is just creating jobs in California.)

In Minnesota, the bill seeks to scrap an RPS that calls for 25 percent of renewables by 2025. So far, the utilities have met the required mileposts to meet the standard. (That beats California. The 20 percent by 2010 standard won't likely be met by the state's big three utilities until 2012, California state officials said today at a conference on energy storage sponsored by Alston + Bird in Palo Alto.)

Minnesota governor Mark Dayton, however, is a Democrat.

Green: it's the new Evolution.



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Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://scottscontracting.wordpress.com


More Dirty Coal under newly appointed Kevin Gunn-Missouri Energy News

  • state won't be moving away from coal-based energy anytime soon
  • alternative energy sources could play a role in the state's economic recovery
  • Five-member commission regulates investor-owned electric, steam, natural gas, water, sewer and telephone companies in the state

Missouri governor appoints new utility board chair


Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon on Thursday appointed Kevin Gunn to be the new chairman of the state board responsible for regulating utilities.

Nixon appointed Gunn to replace Robert Clayton, who a day earlier had asked the governor to appoint a new chairman for the Missouri Public Service Commission. The five-member commission regulates investor-owned electric, steam, natural gas, water, sewer and telephone companies in the state.

Nixon said Thursday that Gunn will play a significant role in shaping the state's energy future.

"A key part of that will be wise investment in renewable energy sources, and Kevin will give us strong leadership on that issue," Nixon said.

Gunn said he is still deciding what his priorities will be as chairman. He said he wants to continue Clayton's efforts to make the commission more efficient and accessible to the public.

Gunn said the state won't be moving away from coal-based energy anytime soon, but agreed with Nixon that alternative energy sources could play a role in the state's economic recovery, especially the biomass available in the state's trees and grasses.

"What's good about those plants is they can be constructed in the very rural areas of the state and lead to immediate job creation there," he said of potential biomass facilities.

Clayton has served on the commission since 2003 and was named chairman in 2009. On Wednesday, he stepped down as chairman, saying he had accomplished all of his goals the leader. He will remain a member of the board. Clayton was an attorney in Hannibal and served four terms in the Missouri House of Representatives starting in 1994, representing Marion and Shelby counties.

Gunn, of Webster Groves, has been a member of the commission since 2008. Before his appointment by Republican Gov. Matt Blunt, Gunn was chief of staff for Democratic U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt. He has also worked as an attorney in the St. Louis area.



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Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com



2.11.2011

Guest Post: VET JOBS February VetTen

RecruitMilitary
We stand committed to helping veterans connect with employers to help them take the next step in their careers. 

The RecruitMilitary VetTen List

February 2011

We are pleased once again to bring you a selection of 10 career opportunities available from organizations that are eager to employ veterans, train and educate veterans, and set veterans up in business. Those organizations are eager to recruit veterans because they understand the special attributes that veterans bring to the table, including initiative, self-discipline, leadership, and a great work ethic.
ICDC College
Along those lines, it follows that you should emphasize your own initiative, self-discipline, leadership, and work ethic in your resume and interviews and in your emails and conversations related to your job search -- and that you should be prepared to relate those characteristics to your military experience. Train yourself to be able to cite, at a moment's notice, at least one instance in which you exhibited each characteristic during your military career. Write out a "mini-speech" for each and memorize it. Say it over and over until you become confident that you could recite it smoothly during a very important interview.
Be sure to visit our new job board at recruitmilitary.com. More than 260,000 jobs are posted there. And the number of job seekers registered at the site will hit 350,000 by the middle of the month, with an average of more than 300 coming aboard daily. This means that there is plenty of competition for the posted jobs!
We welcome more questions for Chad Sowash's column, "Ask Chad about Careers," in our Search & Employ® magazine. For details, open the PDF of the current issue by clicking on the link below, and then go to Chad's column.
As always, thank you for your service to our nation and for being a part of the RecruitMilitary community.

1. SAIC

Smart people solving hard problems.
The world's critical and intriguing problems demand solutions that are startlingly different. Where is this type of challenge and thinking to be found? At Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), the FORTUNE 500® scientific, engineering, and technology applications company that is working to solve problems of vital importance to the nation and the world, in national security, energy and the environment, critical infrastructure, and health.
We invite you to explore SAIC, a company of people dedicated to delivering quality services and solutions based on innovative applications of science and technology. We believe how we achieve our mission is as important as the mission itself. Furthermore, our credo emphasizes our commitment to contribute to the security and well-being of our communities throughout the world, and our belief that high ethical standards are essential to the achievement of our individual and company goals.
Connect with a company that in addition to tackling global challenges, supports community and national outreach efforts, and celebrates individuality, diversity, and inclusion.
©SAIC. All rights reserved. Equal Opportunity Employer.

2. State Farm

A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY IN THE GOLDEN STATE! Ranked 34th on the Fortune 500 list of top companies and one of the largest insurers in the United States, State Farm has been named one of America's Greatest Brands and been consistently recognized as a leader in the industry for its financial strength, community involvement and customer service. Each year, State Farm invests a substantial amount of money to highlight our brand and help our local agents through national marketing, advertising and branding efforts. Our founder's philosophy of insurance coverage at a fair price, coupled with fair claim settlement, remains the cornerstone of our success. His original vision and values still guide us.
We are seeking successful, career-minded people to become State Farm agents to help us build on our leadership position in the insurance and financial services industry. Our agents work within their communities to exclusively market State Farm products, which include multiple-line insurance and financial services.
As an Agent, you will:
  • Develop Your Client Base--enjoy interacting with people as you generate clientele by networking and contacting company provided leadership.
  • Conduct Appointments--meet with clients face-to-face and provide the best insurance and financial services solutions to fit their needs from the industry leader.
  • Get Assistance From Support Staff--your team of well-trained insurance and financial services experts keep your business running smoothly. State Farm will pay for the licensing and training for up to 3 team members.
  • Lead Your Team--if you prefer to hire sales professionals to generate business and run appointments as opposed to doing it yourself, you have that option.
  • Love Your Freedom--you're the boss, so no need to worry about how you are going to balance work and family. It's a brand new life!
The State Farm Insurance Agent opportunity allows you to create financial freedom, flexibility and future retirement options through a compensation package that rewards successful marketing of our business products and insurance services to our customers. We will provide you with paid world-class training and assist you in obtaining necessary licensing.
To learn more about the State Farm opportunity, please visit us at http://www.myagencycareer.com

3. Defending the Nation and Securing the Future at NSA

You served your nation with pride and honor. Now is your chance to bring that experience to NSA, where you will work on the most challenging security issues facing our nation today. NSA collects, processes and disseminates intelligence information from foreign signals and protects U.S. systems from foreign adversaries. As you can imagine, our workplace creates exciting opportunities for individuals with your background. We'll also work with you to make your military benefits part of your future career plan. Check out the opportunities in:
  • Computer Science
  • Computer/Electrical Engineering
  • Information Assurance
  • Mathematics
  • Foreign Language
  • Intelligence Analysis
  • Cryptanalysis/Signals Analysis
  • Business Management/Finance and Accounting

TSA

4. WSI

WSI Launches an "Investing in America" Program to Help Re-Build the US Economy Post-Recession
World's Largest Marketing Franchise Invests Back into the U.S Economy through a Nation--Wide Business Opportunity Program
WSI, the world's #1 marketing franchise, is launching an "Investing in America" Program, an initiative aimed to give back to the community and help re-build the US economy after the recession. Through this program, WSI will be offering U.S-based military veterans the opportunity to invest in a WSI marketing franchise for a significantly discounted fee with the mandate that they "pay it forward" by giving back to their local communities through various charitable acts.
All franchise owners in the Investing in America Program will have 5 years to complete the task of providing charitable acts in the total value of $25,000, which is equivalent to the initial 50% discount they received on the franchisee fee. Through the "pay it forward" component of the program, WSI hopes that not only will the U.S economy experience growth and success with the opening of additional, useful marketing offices, but that local communities around the country will actually benefit through charitable acts delivered by our "Investing in America' owners.
All eligible, U.S based military veterans are invited to apply for the program.
Please contact Martin Durkin at mdurkin@wsicorporate.com
WSI is the world's number one franchise offering marketing services to suit the needs of multiple industries. The Company has the world's largest Marketing Consultants' network and a strong head office in Toronto, Canada.

5. L-3 Communications -- Vertex Aerospace

Vertex Aerospace, a unit of L-3 Communications Corporation, is proud to announce their being awarded the Army C-12/UC-35 LCCS Contract, resulting in hiring needs around the globe. L-3 Vertex, based in Mississippi, provides aviation and aerospace technical services, primarily for United States Government customers. The company has more than 11,000 employees at 300 locations worldwide with many great current and future growth opportunities for military veterans. Search L-3 Vertex's job opportunities for those experienced in aircraft maintenance, avionics and other critical positions by clicking here.

View the most recent issue of RecruitMilitary's Search & Employ magazine. (It's a large file, so please be patient with the download.) The issue has many companies advertising careers…be sure to click on the links to learn more about their employment opportunities!
We publish this print magazine every two months, and the content is just for you. The magazine is loaded with articles and advertising on employment, entrepreneurial ventures, and educational opportunities — be sure to take note of the live links included in each ad.
Search & Employ

6. U.S. Lawns

Thinking about becoming a business owner? Come grow with us! U.S. Lawns, founded in 1986, is the landscape industry's leading commercial landscape management franchise. We provide full service landscape management services to commercial customers throughout the United States.
We service only commercial customers. We pursue commercial office complexes, retail centers, banks, apartment complexes, homeowners associations and more. Enjoy economic stability! Grass and plants grow every day. Commercial property landscape must be maintained year round. Annual contracts produce recurring revenue. Want a rewarding lifestyle with flexibility? Enjoy the freedom to make your own schedule, coupled with the ability to start your business from home. Take advantage of:
  • Special Financing for Veterans
  • Low Start-up Cost
  • Proven Business Model
  • Ongoing Support


7. Accenture

Bring your military skills to an environment where you can succeed.
Military professionals are known for their strong work ethic, commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and ability to succeed in a challenging environment, exemplifying many of the same core values we live at Accenture. The lessons learned as military men and women are very transferable to the work we do. Leadership, discipline, organization, teamwork, and doing what it takes to get the job done are some of the areas in which military experience directly applies to our work.
We offer a wide range of interesting opportunities to military personnel interested in pursuing a career with Accenture. While our Health & Public Service Group places a premium on individuals who have experience operating in the government environment and have security clearance experience, many other professionals have used their skills to succeed in other Operating Groups within Accenture. As a global consulting, outsourcing and technology company, we understand that many military professionals have a keen perspective of the global economy and have direct experience working across borders. Through your military career experience, it is likely that you have lived and worked abroad and received extensive training along the way. While at Accenture, you may be working with an international team on assignments that are a critical part of defining success in our organization.

Find a New Career at a RecruitMilitary Opportunity Expo
Attend a RecruitMilitary Opportunity Expo - events for veterans and their spouses. Attendees to these FREE events meet face-to-face with corporate employers, law-enforcement agencies and other government employers, educational institutions, franchisors, veteran's service agencies, and veteran's organizations.
Upcoming Opportunity Expos:

8. Clearance Jobs

Your security clearance matters - companies are still hiring in the cleared space and your clearance is worth more.
You are in high demand because you have an active US security clearance. But, like so many job-seekers we help, it's not always easy or convenient to see where all the best choices are. That's why we are excited to tell you we have partnered with the leading job board in the cleared space.
We are confident they can provide many cleared job opportunities to you. Take two minutes to register at https://secure.clearancejobs.com/register.php?action=candidate&ref=rm - it's free, and you'll be exposed to thousands and thousands of outstanding career opportunities.

9. Veteran Consultant

Would You Like to Make a Great Living Helping Fellow Veterans?
RecruitMilitary has recently launched a brand new franchise opportunity called Veteran Franchise Centers and we are looking for qualified office owners nationwide. As a Veteran Franchise Centers owner, you provide free consulting to veterans, their spouses, and military families seeking franchise business opportunities. Much like a real estate agent, you make your money by receiving a large commission when you sell a franchise. Franchise brokering is one of the fastest growing and most powerful segments in franchising today! As an affiliate of RecruitMilitary, the largest military to civilian job sourcing company, we reach hundreds of thousands of veterans annually; giving us unparalleled franchise marketing capabilities to veterans. Veteran Franchise Centers Opportunity Snapshot
  • You Earn Money by Helping Franchise Companies Grow
  • Your Initial Business Investment Range is $47,550 - $95,800
  • You Receive 5 Days Initial Training
  • You Receive Ongoing Veteran Client Leads
  • You Receive Ongoing Support, Education, & Training
  • You Utilize a Proprietary Candidate Management System
  • Plus Much, Much More...
Territories are already going fast, so don't delay -- contact us today!! Begin here by completing this short form for more information. You are under no obligation for doing so: www.veteranconsultant.com

10. New Online Master's in Security Policy Studies

While the demand for entry-level homeland security professionals has increased substantially, the demand for professionals with more sophisticated levels of competence and readiness in the areas of intelligence analysis, emergency management, and homeland security has also grown. Notre Dame College's Master of Arts in Security Policy Studies is poised to meet this regional and national need by providing graduate education in a hybrid model with most classes online! This unique program seeks to develop public and private professionals transitioning from tactical leaders to strategic analysts, planners, managers, and decision-makers This emerging field is growing and jobs are ready and waiting for people with these skills! Not ready for a full Master's degree? Graduate certificates are also available and only require four online classes!
Join us for an information ONLINE Information Session on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011 at 6:30pm EST. RSVP here!
Notre Dame College salutes you for your service to our country and looks forward to you earning our highest decoration...your Master's degree!

Our new column, "Ask Chad About Careers," in our print and online magazine, Search & Employ®, has been a great success. Chad Sowash, a former Infantry Drill Sergeant in the Army, answers veterans' questions about employment, educational, and business opportunities. We invite you to submit your own questions for Chad to answer. We are after questions that apply to your own situation and are specific in nature, but do not refer to a specific company or employment office. Here's an example of a usable question: "I am a tank gunner in the Marine Corps, and I will be getting out in six months. I would like to get a civilian job working outdoors on heavy equipment. Any suggestions?' We would not use your name, but would identify you generally--for example, "An Army veteran in Nebraska wants to know..." Please send your question to Katie Becker, the Editor of Search & Employ, at katie@recruitmilitary.com. As always, thank you for your service to our nation and for being a part of the RecruitMilitary community.
RecruitMilitary Blog     RecruitMilitary Twitter     RecruitMilitary on Facebook     RecruitMilitary on LinkedIn     RecruitMilitary on YouTube
We stand committed to helping veterans connect with employers to help them take the next step in their careers.
Our mailing address is:
RecruitMilitary, LLC
422 West Loveland Rd
Loveland, Ohio 45140
Copyright (c) 2010 RecruitMilitary, LLC. All rights reserved.




Part 8: 1st Floor Weatherization

Part 9: See the Difference a Little White Paint Makes

Part 10: Interior Framing-Plumbing-Laundry Room

Part 11: Kitchen Framing Tip #36-Benton Rehab Project

Part 12: Water Main Repair- Benton Rehab

Part 13: Benton Rehab Project Drywall Installation and Tip: Number 1172



FREE ONLINE: GreenExpo365 Web Event Registration and Activity Guide



On Thu, Feb 10, 2011 at 1:27 PM, GreenExpo365.com <hwma@hw-media.com> wrote:

FREE ONLINE EVENT NOT TO MISS

Over 6,000 architects, builders, and others interested in green building have joined the green building industry's leading online, virtual trade show and community, GreenExpo365.com. Why? Because nowhere else can you find exhibitors committed to helping the industry learn, live, and deliver sustainable solutions in the building industry. PLUS, free webinars delivered by experienced industry insiders with ideas and solutions for you to learn from.

MARCH 8 - 9 is our next "live event" with webinars and exhibitors ready to talk green building. Below is the webinar schedule, plus the virtual trade show open from 8a-2p Pacific.

No Travel. No Fee. Just great green building information.

8a PT: "Not So Big: The Doorway to Happy Customers"

Sarah Susanka, Best selling author "Not So Big House," architect and cultural visionary

Join one of the most popular and known green building architect and author in a discussion around how to use her "Not So Big" practices to help deliver happy home buyers. Last year's presentation with Sarah was our most popular, so arrive early and come with questions.
Webinar Details / Add to your Outlook Calendar



11a PT: "The Business Case for Net Zero Energy Green Buildings"

Jerry Yudelson, Professional engineer, author, consultant and green building expert

The action in green building has moved dramatically in the past year from LEED Platinum as the highest achievement to Living Building Certification and Net Zero Energy buildings. Are we likely to see the goalposts moved from LEED Platinum to Net Zero building? What is the business case that will drive this movement? What are the driving forces and inhibiting forces? What does Net Zero really mean? How can design teams respond to this new building owner interest in Net Zero? Find out from one of the leading experts in the field.
Webinar Details / Add to your Outlook Calendar




1p PT: "Remodeling and the Green Building Standard"

Beere & Belcher

Philip Beere, LEED AP - 2010 NAHB Green Advocate of the Year, Green Street Development
Matt Belcher - Belcher Homes, St. Louis, MO, Author of "Build Green and Save"

Participate in a great discussion with two experienced remodelers as they share how they used National Green Building Standards to assess homes and make focused improvements to their projects' energy and water savings as well as indoor air quality.
Webinar Details / Add to your Outlook Calendar




8a PT: "You Can Do It! 10 Easy Steps to High Performance Houses"

Mark LaLiberte, Distinguished trainer, author, presenter and consultant

Let green building expert Mark LaLiberte simplify high performance houses for you. During this hour-long webinar, Mark will break it down in basic terms and steps to take back to the designs and site and implement today.
Webinar Details / Add to your Outlook Calendar




11a PT: "How to increase the value of your project by using LEED for Homes"

Asa Foss, USGBC, LEED Homes Technical Development U.S. Green Building Council

Get the inside view on LEED for Homes and how to get the most out of using it. Asa talks about the value of 3rd party certifications, how to select the appropriate LEED rating system for your project, explain the difference between prerequisites and credits, and walk through the credit categories that LEED uses to define a green building. Plus, as with every GreenExpo365 webinar, we'll open the floor your questions.
Webinar Details / Add to your Outlook Calendar


Free AIA/CES Registered Webinar - 10a PT, February 22:

"Conservation vs. Renewable Energy – What is the Future of Energy"

Dr. Jennifer L. Languell, President, Trifecta Construction Solutions, Host of "Discovery Project Earth", and Immediate Past President & VP, Florida Green Building Coalition, returns to engage the GreenExpo365 community in a discussion on energy. Some people see renewable energy as the answer, where others see the solution more around reducing what we are currently using. What is your take?

This free webinar is scheduled for February 22, 10a PT, in the GreenExpo365.com Auditorium.

✓AIA/CES REGISTERED: 1 HSW/SD/LU Hour

Mark your calendar today







This email was sent to scottscontracting@gmail.com.
Hanley Wood uses email to send our customers information on various products and services we offer, including our conferences and trade shows, magazines, books, email newsletters, and other offers directly connected to your business interests.

Hanley Wood, LLC · One Thomas Circle NW · Washington DC 20005



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Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com



FW: February 2011 Connecting to the Grid Newsletter

Connecting to the Grid
In This Issue
Note from the Editor
State News in Detail
Miscellaneous News
Quick Links

FEBRUARY 2011
Vol. 14 No. 2
Note from the Editor - You can have your (net metering) cake and eat it too

 

If you're like me, you like cake. And if so, you've probably also shared my frustration when you show up to a party and a few guests have eaten all the cake, leaving only a few sad crumbs behind.  This issue of equality of access applies not only to dessert, but also to the renewable energy industry, and to net metering in particular. One of the merits of a well-designed net metering policy is that it is available to everyone. However, challenges can arise when the participation of a few net metering customers crowds out others who want a piece of the distributed generation action (cake?).

 

Over the past few years, we have seen a definite trend of states increasing or eliminating their system size caps for net metering. If these limits don't also correspond to an increase in aggregate participation caps, it can mean that a few large projects can potentially consume a state's net metering allocation.  Hawaii has taken proactive measures to mitigate this potential problem by allocating a percentage of the participation cap to smaller systems. Each utility has a slightly different allocation, but generally 40-50% of their aggregate caps are dedicated to systems sized 10 kW and smaller. [Continued in Newsletter]

State News in Detail 

 

Northeast States            

 

New York's ConEdison customers double solar capacity

 

Massachusetts DPU announces net metering eligibility hearing

 

Mid-Atlantic States      

 

D.C.'s Mount Pleasant Solar Co-op challenges Pepco's handling of net metering

 

Midwestern States        

 

Indiana IURC reschedules net metering hearing

 

Southern States          

 

Mississippi opens the door for net metering

 

Unearthed in Florida: Meter Aggregation! Also, GRU FIT applicants selected

 

Western States                         

 

California's SCE expands community solar options for customers; continues work on state feed-in tariff

 

Idaho PUC limits the size of wind and solar project

 

Oregon PUC to discuss meter aggregation changes    

 

Other States                 

 

Alaska RCA invites comments on interconnection

 

Hawaii sees unprecedented solar growth

IREC and Miscellaneous News 
  
IREC's round table round up
 
DOE announces the release of two community solar guides
 
FERC reviews mandatory QF purchases
 
White House establishes renewables export initiative
Visit Us Online at www.irecusa.org

Solar Energy Technologies Program-Financial Opportunities


 

Financial Opportunities


Subscribe to the SETP Financial Opportunities RSS feed.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program (Solar Program) posts current and past funding opportunities for all program areas, including research and development (R&D) for photovoltaics and concentrating solar power, systems integration, and market transformation projects. In addition, links to related opportunities from DOE national laboratories and other federal agencies are available.
In carrying out its vision and mission, the federal Solar Program conducts a broad portfolio of activities to make electricity from solar technologies more cost competitive with conventional forms of electricity.
This open, competitive solicitation process is designed to meet the top technology needs identified by industry's roadmaps. SETP funding opportunities encourage collaborative partnerships among industry, universities, national laboratories, federal, state, and local governments and non-government agencies and advocacy groups. Solicitations, when available, include financial and technical assistance.

Notice of Intent to Issue

Demonstration Project for Concentrating Solar Technologies

Description:

DOE intends to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to facilitate the demonstration of utility-scale, concentrating solar technologies, which include Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) and Concentrating Photovoltaics (CPV), within the next 30 to 60 days. The objective of the FOA is to enable advanced technologies to bridge the gap between system development and commercial deployment. This FOA would support the demonstration of CSP and CPV technology at a sufficient scale to prove their readiness for utility-scale power production. Technologies and systems that successfully complete demonstrations under this program may be better positioned to secure financing from private sources for utility scale projects.

Request for Information Update

Gathering information from specific audiences is valuable as financial opportunities are developed. The purpose of a request for information (RFI) is to gather input periodically throughout the year, especially as multiple opportunities for funding and technical assistance are planned for the year.

In May 2010, DOE released a Request For Information (RFI) on solar workforce certifications and training program accreditation. Based on the comments received under this RFI, respondents agreed that DOE leadership and financial support in this area is important. Because there was not a clear consensus regarding the exact direction DOE should take, the Solar Program plans to gather additional stakeholder input in early 2011 to identify the key issues surrounding credentialing and assessment of the solar workforce. Please note there are no plans to issue a competitive solicitation in this area, but funding opportunities may be available at a later date.
Information is also available on the following:

Solar America Communities

Solar America Cities Partnerships
Solar America CommunitiesVisit the Solar America Communities Web site to find more details on all Solar America Communities activities.
Through the Solar America Communities effort, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is working to rapidly increase the use and integration of solar energy in communities across the country.

DOE recognizes the important role of local governments in accelerating widespread solar energy adoption. As the nation's centers of electricity consumption, cities are uniquely positioned to reduce global climate change, strengthen America's energy independence, and support the transition to a clean energy economy by converting to solar energy sources.
DOE has taken a three-pronged approach to identifying and overcoming barriers to urban solar implementation, then sharing lessons learned and best practices to facilitate replication across the nation:
  • Solar America Cities Partnerships are cooperative agreements between DOE and 25 large U.S. cities to develop comprehensive, city-wide approaches to increasing solar energy use. Learn more about the solar activities in these cities. The Solar America Cities partnerships are the foundation of the Solar America Communities program.
  • Solar America Cities Special Projects, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, tackle key barriers to urban solar energy use that were identified through the 25 city partnerships. Read more about these special projects.
  • Solar America Communities Outreach Partnership is an effort to share the best practices developed through the original 25 city partnerships and special projects with hundreds of other local governments, accelerating solar energy adoption across the United States. Learn more about the outreach efforts.
As a result of widespread success in the 25 Solar America Cities, DOE expanded these activities in 2010 by launching a national outreach effort described above. As the Solar America Cities activities evolved to include this new outreach effort, this effort was renamed Solar America Communities to reflect DOE's commitment to supporting solar initiatives in all types of local jurisdictions, including cities and counties.

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