There is significant popular support for community solar projects in the U.S., but opposition by utilities and some legislative restrictions are holding back their development.
Nearly 1,600 community solar projects, sometimes called “solar gardens,” are operating nationwide. Most are operating in Minnesota, Massachusetts, New York, and Colorado.
The Biden administration continues to support a $15 million Energy Department initiative to expand the number of solar gardens, particularly in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. At the state level, though, where regulators set the power rules, interest groups are fighting over what defines community solar and who should generate it.
Utilities say having too many players could unravel regulatory structures that assure power grid reliability and warn of more disasters such as last winter’s deadly blackout in Texas. Some regulations, such as one in Minnesota that restricts ratepayers from subscribing to solar gardens only in their county or an adjacent one, have unintended consequences. The Minnesota rule means the heavily populated Twin Cities region has many potential subscribers but lacks space for gardens. On the other hand, rural areas have ample room for installations but fewer buyers for the energy.
Related Stories
| May 19, 2014
Construction skilled-worker shortage causing rise in claims
The improved economy has boosted construction starts, but a shortage of experienced trade workers has led to more on-the-job injuries and construction defects.
| May 15, 2014
AISC Prequalified Seismic Moment Connection standard update now available
The AISC standard Prequalified Moment Connections for Special and Intermediate Steel Moment Frames for Seismic Applications (ANSI/AISC 358-10) has been updated with a second supplement, ANSI/AISC 358s2-14.
| May 15, 2014
ConsensusDocs releases new agreements for contractors who hire consultants
ConsensusDocs has released the new ConsensusDocs 746 Constructor & Geotechnical Consultant Agreement and the 747 Constructor & Consultant Agreement.
| May 8, 2014
Report: Top storm-resilient cities have high adaptive capacity
The most resilient cities in the world, including five in the U.S., have attributes that would enable them to recover better than others from devastating natural disasters.
| May 8, 2014
LED lighting helps cities receive Energy Star designation
Thanks largely to an ambitious program to boost the use of LED lighting in its buildings, Los Angeles is the top ranked U.S. city on the Environmental Protection Agency’s annual list of U.S. cities that are doing the most to improve energy efficiency.
| May 8, 2014
Door knob code revisions generating controversy
The City of Vancouver’s ban on doorknobs in all new buildings, which went into effect last month, has drawn a strong reaction from the public and heated debate across Canada as other jurisdictions consider the measure.
| May 8, 2014
Structural concrete code revisions open for public comments
The American Concrete Institute’s completely reorganized ACI 318-14, “Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary,” is open for public review for a 45-day period.
| May 3, 2014
Controversy rages over cost, benefits of proposed OSHA silica dust rule
Introduced in August 2013, the proposal would lower allowable levels of crystalline silica in all workplaces, standardize how the dust is calculated, and require medical monitoring for employees exposed to high levels.
| May 3, 2014
California’s Title 24 promises to reshape the construction industry
California’s recent revisions to Title 24 contain ambitious performance goals: all residential buildings must be Zero Net Energy by 2020 and commercial buildings must reach that standard by 2030.
| Apr 30, 2014
House Appropriations Committee approves $3 billion cut for military construction
The Army would see the sharpest cuts on a percentage basis, with a $578 million, or 52% reduction in FY 2015.
