The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is launching a 501(c)3 non-profit organization to accelerate the transition to carbon-free electricity.
The Solar and Storage Industries Institute (SI2) will be SEIA’s charitable and educational arm, with the goal of using research, public education initiatives, and policymaker engagement to remove barriers to clean energy deployment. The organization will focus on issues such as “land use concerns, antiquated rate designs, workforce development and environmental justice, and interconnection roadblocks, all in an effort to combat climate change and create a more equitable clean energy economy,” according to a SEIA news release.
The first research project will develop best practices and other resources for solar companies looking to create large-scale solar projects. Siting clean energy projects requires community engagement and long-term planning that minimizes impact to the environment and surrounding community, the release says.
These projects must also account for access to transmission lines, upgrades to grid infrastructure, and several other factors that can affect the outcome of a large-scale solar project. Solar energy accounts for roughly 4% of U.S. electricity generation today, SEIA says. If solar energy reaches 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030, electricity sector emissions would be cut in half.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
New AIA report on embassies: integrate security and design excellence
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) released a new report to help the State Department design and build 21st Century embassies.
| Aug 11, 2010
Section Eight Design wins 2009 Open Architecture Challenge for classroom design
Victor, Idaho-based Section Eight Design beat out seven other finalists to win the 2009 Open Architecture Challenge: Classroom, spearheaded by the Open Architecture Network. Section Eight partnered with Teton Valley Community School (TVCS) in Victor to design the classroom of the future. Currently based out of a remodeled house, students at Teton Valley Community School are now one step closer to getting a real classroom.
| Aug 11, 2010
PCL Construction, HITT Contracting among nation's largest commercial building contractors, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report
A ranking of the Top 50 Commercial Contractors based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Pella introduces BIM models for windows and doors
Pella Corporation now offers three-dimensional (3D) window and door models for use in Building Information Modeling (BIM) projects by architects, designers, and others looking for aesthetically correct, easy-to-use, data-rich 3D drawings.
| Aug 11, 2010
Sargent launches power over ethernet campus access control solution
Sargent takes campus access control to the edge of the network with the new Passport 1000 P1 Power over Ethernet (PoE) hardware. Passport P1 connects to a facility’s Ethernet network with standard cabling, and provides full online access control even when the network is unavailable.
| Aug 11, 2010
Webcor, Hunt Construction lead the way in mixed-use construction, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report
A ranking of the Top 30 Mixed-Use Contractors based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
NBBJ selected to design Russell Investments’ Seattle headquarters
NBBJ has been hired by Russell Investments as the architectural firm to design the interior space of its new global headquarters at 1301 2nd Avenue, a building also designed by NBBJ.