Solar for all in Illinois
As part of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, there exists a program called Solar for All. This program incentives solar developers to design, install and operate solar projects in areas that are often under served; such as minority and environmental justice communities.
A lottery will determine which projects can proceed.
Solar developers will receive a higher rebate for RECs generated by the projects. In addition, payments for solar energy cannot exceed 50% of what the utility would charge for energy. This is intended to ensure the developers take the risk instead of the communities.
Illinois Solar for All is budgeted at $30 million through 2021 and would continue to be funded at 5% from renewable portfolio standard charges.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information: https://energynews.us/2019/05/24/midwest/solar-for-all-illinois-incentive-program-aims-to-make-solar-more-accessible/
US Renewables energy capacity surpasses Coal for first time
Renewables defined as electricity generated from wind, solar, biomass and geothermal exceed that of coal for the first time in the forecast of US generating capacity (May 2022). Renewables have over 23% of the installed capacity in the US and is growing whereas coal continues to shrink.
Renewables due to technology advances are now more cost efficient than any other source of electric generation. Technology continues to evolve and with it the choice of generation options. However, our goal should be a robust source of different generation options that can meet our future energy and environmental needs.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information: https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-infrastructure-report-reveals-phantom-850-mw-coal-plant-renewables-su/556602/
Zero Energy Ready Homes
With renewable energy increasing across the world, Zero Energy Ready Homes are the new trend. About 50% more energy efficient than a typical home; these houses have LED lights, efficient HVAC systems, and lower air infiltration. Although the purchase costs are slightly higher, the money saved in the long run make these homes of the future well worth the investment.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/zero-energy-ready-home;
https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/First-Zero-Energy-Ready-Homes-built-in-Cedar-Rapids-511391462.html
DOE EIA Weekly Gas Storage Report
Working gas in storage was 2,088 Bcf as of Friday, June 7, 2019, according to EIA estimates.
This represents a net increase of 102 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 189 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 230 Bcf below the five-year average of 2,318 Bcf. At 2,088 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
Midwest Groundcovers’ newest solar power project completed.
PRESS RELEASE
12 JUNE 2019 | By: Realgy, LLC
Midwest Groundcovers, LLC solar array installation at St. Charles facility increases their existing system.
Realgy, LLC announced today the completion of their newest solar photovoltaic (PV) system consisting of 325 Watts at Midwest Groundcovers, LLC. Their 240-Watt system installed 8 years ago underwent a complete overhaul. Midwest Groundcovers is the leading wholesale container nursery in the tri-state area.
The rooftop PV system was installed on the maintenance building and is part of the 96-acre site of Midwest Groundcovers’ facility located in St. Charles, Illinois. Stan Schumacher, Vice President of Midwest Groundcovers said “We are glad to continue our partnership with Realgy Energy Services to expand our Solar PV System by 25% and upgrade the existing telemetry and inverters to increase the solar PV’s efficiency. The additional panels and upgrade should increase our cost savings by 33% by reducing our usage charges and distribution charges.”
Eco Solar Solutions, LLC of Illinois installed the addition. The project is the second Realgy collaboration this year with Eco Solar in Illinois. According to Terrence Black, Vice President of Eco Solar Solutions, “Upgrading Midwest Groundcovers’ solar system allowed us to maximize the amount of solar production at this location. The overall performance has improved and the savings from avoiding delivery costs went up as well. We also helped lower their costs and carbon footprint.”
Realgy, LLC is an alternative energy service supplier in Illinois and is the owner of the PV system. They paid for the project and continue to supply the property’s electricity. Midwest Groundcovers was selected for the original installation to generate renewable energy locally as part of Realgy’s sustainable commitment.
Midwest Groundcovers’ solar array will produce over 100,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy annually and more than 2.5 million kWh over the next 25 years. That’s enough energy to power about 9 average U.S. homes annually. Beyond the economic value are the environmental and health benefits associated with the PV system such as:
- Reduction of 136 tons of coal burned each year to produce an equal amount of electricity. That’s the same as getting 272 pickup trucks of coal off the road.
- Substituting the use of coal means the removal of 1.76 million lbs. of CO2 into the environment each year. That’s the equivalent of planting over 5,400 trees.
“To be asked to reinvest in an existing project after several years is always gratifying. We are excited to contribute to Midwest Groundcovers’ increase of green energy production,” said Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy.
Contacts:
Midwest Groundcovers
Stan Schumacher, Vice President
6N800 Route 25
St. Charles, Illinois
Eco Solar Solutions, LLC
Paul Szczesny, President
847-220-8786
Realgy, LLC
Michael Vrtis, President
675 Oakwood Avenue
West Hartford, CT
860-233-2270
An affordable way to store clean energy
Renewable energy consumers use batteries to temporarily store energy for later use. However, lithium ion batteries have a short service life and redox flow batteries with twice the lifespan have been cost-prohibitive. Recently, Volterion has optimized redox flow batteries to manufacture them at a lower price point.
Not only are the physical characteristics beneficial to handlers and the environment but, through innovation, the ideas for uses are unlimited. It shouldn’t be long before we see them prominently in hospitals, homes, and more. We can’t wait to see the utilization of these batteries implemented.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information: https://phys.org/news/2019-06-energy.html