US Solar Tariff Impact
It’s been about a year since Trump enacted a 30% tariff on solar imports to the US. Although it is set to last 4 years, each year is planned to decrease by 5%; in 2021 the tariff will be 15%. Hopes to benefit domestic manufacturers and residential solar projects are among the expected advantages. However, the high rate caused large scale developers to pause or cancel planned projects of $2.5 billion. This hold on utility scale arrays could dent advances the US made using these renewable sources. Research also shows the average consumer had a price increase for a standard system. Preceding the tariff’s implementation, costs had been falling. They are again decreasing but, at a lower rate. Ideally, the hope is to get back on track to at least the rate of decline prior to the tariff.
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/trump-issues-30-tariff-on-solar-panel-imports/515265/
https://news.energysage.com/2018-us-solar-tariff-impact-prices/
What Are Schools Doing to Go Green?
School is back in session! Nationally, many have implemented renewable energy as it is a positive impact on the environment along with a way to lower utility bills. More schools are participating in clean energy programs such as solar panel installations and using electric school buses. Over 5,500 US schools installed solar arrays. Electric buses remain a higher cost upfront but have lower fuel and maintenance costs. Over time, schools will recoup the initial costs to gain a more environmentally friendly source of transportation. These money-saving investments aid in educating students while employing sustainable energy resources.
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/05/climate/what-are-schools-doing-to-go-green.html
Are Smart Thermostats Worth The Investment?
With technology advancing so quickly these days, there are many options for consumers to make daily tasks more efficient. Whether homeowners are building a new space or upgrading amenities, it has become popular to use a digital thermostat. Programmable thermostats are more common and have proven useful but smart thermostats are on the rise. They accomplish everything a programmable thermostat sets out to do and then some. Patterns can be recognized to help manage settings and can be controlled remotely through a cellphone. Through their implementation, consumers become more conscious of energy usage thus helping to reduce consumption and energy bills. For those that need to use heat or air conditioning, smart thermostats are a tech savvy option to maintaining a home.
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
https://www.iqsdirectory.com/blog/are-smart-thermostats-worth-the-investment/
Opening of Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center Solar Array Expansion
PRESS RELEASE
Opening of Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center Solar Array Expansion
25 May 2018 | By: Realgy, LLC
The home of the historic Lake County Fair has begun operation of the expansion of their solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Lake Country Fairgrounds and Event Center (LCFEC) in Grayslake, IL now has a system more than double the size of the original array.
Realgy, LLC selected LCFEC for the initial and expanded project. Lake County will receive all solar energy produced by the panels. Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy said, “We are proud to have reinvestment at Lake County Fairgrounds. The expansion will allow greater environment and safety benefits.”
Eco Solar Solutions completed the expansion and will continue to maintain it over the duration of the next 20 years to ensure its productivity and efficiency. The array will produce enough power to supply about 11 Illinois residences every year for 25 years. “Eco Solar did a fantastic job and was the most professional contractor we have ever used,” Jon Brodzik Jr, the General Manager of LCFEC said.
The economic benefits that LCFEC will see are not limited to monetary savings. It will benefit the environment with limiting the carbon dioxide produced from gas emissions and reducing the amount of trucks on the road that would transfer coal which in turn creates safer roads and less pollution.
To commemorate the opening of the addition, LCFEC hosted an event to bring the community together. All were invited to attend such as Lake County officials, various media outlets, local organizations, environmental activists, state politicians, Grayslake trustees, local law enforcement, and many more. The attendees were treated to a great opening with all involved in making the project come to life.
Media Contacts:
Sue Markgraf
GreenMark Public Relations
847-917-9654
smarkgraf@greenmarkpr.com
for:
Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center
1060 East Peterson Road
Grayslake, Illinois 60030
847-680-7200
www.lcfair.com
Eco Solar Solutions
317-201-4435
www.eco-solar-solutions.com
Realgy, LLC
675 Oakwood Avenue
West Hartford, CT
860-233-2270
www.realgyenergyservices.com
Wind energy proposal may dictate industry’s future in Ohio
Regulation of wind energy in Ohio has been a battle over the past few years. Ohio’s wind energy capacity is one of the lowest in the Midwest and produced one-third of it’s neighboring state, Michigan.
Most new projects have not been approved due to the state requiring locations to be at least a quarter- mile from the nearest property line . While many wind projects are placed on hold, natural gas is being pushed into becoming the dominant energy source with new plants being built or planned.
Supporters of wind are hoping to enact a new plan where counties have the final say on location of turbines.
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
http://www.weirtondailytimes.com/news/national-news-apwire/2018/02/wind-energy-proposal-may-dictate-industrys-future-in-ohio/
Illinois Commerce Commission order a victory for solar, advocates say
New goals have been put in place for The Future Energy Jobs Act. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved an order defining aspects that solar advocates were concerned about.
The final order:
-Allows municipal and cooperative customers to participate in the solar renewable energy credit (SREC) program. Management of renewable energy purchases and the sale of SREC’s will be handled by the Illinois Power Agency (IPA).
-Eliminates spot procurements that were to take place in 2018 and 2019. It focuses on prioritizing long- term contracts even if budget constraints prove to be troublesome. To qualify for contract incentives, out-of-state projects will have to meet tighter requirements based on a point system.
-Implements community solar to make it more accessible to residents from all walks of life. Larger subscribers allow a more cost-effective way to build projects since they have more money to spend. The requirements will allow smaller subscribers to have a higher chance of buying into solar projects.
The IPA must monitor the program and make necessary adjustments throughout the growth of this Act. It is important to factor in sustainability over the long term for these projects and it is all part of the process. One thing for sure is that this will help put Illinois on the map as a leader in Solar Development.
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
LAKE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS & EVENT CENTER SOLAR ARRAY EXPANSION
PRESS RELEASE
Lake County Fairgrounds & Event center Solar Array expansion
18 May 2018 | By: Realgy, LLC
Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center, Grayslake, IL has recently incorporated an addition to their solar photovoltaic (PV) system more than doubling the size and efficiency of the current system.
Realgy, LLC has announced the start of usage with the new 99.84 kilowatt (kW) roof installation. Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center, operated by Lake County Fair Association, is home to many popular events including the historic Lake County Fair. The fair will be celebrating its 90th Anniversary this July with the help of the new solar array. Jon Brodzik Jr, the General Manager of the Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center, said, “The expansion is more than welcome and we are all looking forward to its usage and the events surrounding it.” The destination’s significant space allowed the capability of higher production to be more than just a day dream. With the help of Eco Solar Solutions, the goal to expand has been made a reality.
Eco Solar Solutions completed the new addition. “This project will provide great environmental benefits to the local community, and we’re ecstatic to have been part of the team to make this happen. We will be maintaining this system for the next 20 years to make sure that it continues to operate,” said Paul Szczesny, President of Eco Solar Solutions.
Realgy, LLC is a choice energy supplier in Illinois and selected LCF for both the initial and expanded project. Lake County will receive all solar energy produced by the panels. With its popular events comes high consumption that leads to environmental disadvantages. Renewable energy sources such as PV arrays help to combat those issues. This expansion will save LCF approximately $12,000 each year while improving the environment and safety in the area as follows:
- The Lake County solar PV system will produce over 121,324 kW hours (kWh) or enough power to supply about 11 average Illinois homes every year for the next 25 years.
- Some environmental and safety benefits associated with this array’s solar energy production:
- Over 84 thousand pounds of carbon dioxide WILL NOT be produced over the initial 25 years of operation.
- The level of offset emissions is equal to planting over 6,500 trees.
- Over 327 thousand pounds of coal would be necessary to produce the same amount of electricity.
- Reduction of 328 half- ton trucks used to transport that coal annually means less trucks on the road and less pollution from those trucks.
“We are happy to be partnered with Lake County on such a great endeavor,” said Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy. “Realgy is pleased with the extension of this project and the boundless support of the municipality. We look forward to everyone coming together with us for this Solarbration.”
Please join us at the Lake County Fairgrounds on May 18th, 2018 at 1 PM for this celebration.
Media Contacts:
Sue Markgraf
GreenMark Public Relations
847-917-9654
smarkgraf@greenmarkpr.com
for:
Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center
1060 East Peterson Road
Grayslake, Illinois 60030
847-680-7200
www.lcfair.com
Eco Solar Solutions
317-201-4435
www.eco-solar-solutions.com
Realgy, LLC
675 Oakwood Avenue
West Hartford, CT
860-233-2270
www.realgyenergyservices.com
St. Louis vs. Chicago; who’s ready for electric vehicles
Well it’s not the Cubs vs. Cardinals but the two cities are always competing. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates the U.S. will have 15 Million electric vehicles on the road by 2030. This week Missouri and Illinois each released a look into their electric vehicle plans.
In Illinois:
- Chicago will need to support 80,000 electric cars
- 2,700 public charging stations will be required
- Costs range from $80,000-$100,000
- Today: only 34 fast charging stations are located in all of northeastern Illinois
In Missouri:
- Ameren piloted a program in 2016
- Proposal to install 1,200 charging plugs in its territory
- Ameren would partner with companies to operate the charging stations
- Ameren estimates the costs at $20,000-$50,000 for each charging station
All states and cities are looking at the infrastructure and locations for installing electric charging stations. They understand the coming demand.
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/02/22/study-chicago-could-see-80000-electric-cars-2030?utm_source=EHN&utm_campaign=8f5bea7cf2-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8573f35474-8f5bea7cf2-99396161
http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/ameren-seeks-to-add-hundreds-of-electric-vehicle-charging-stations/article_ebacca29-7355-52ff-b230-3b56d90d4fa7.html
Wind Energy development in Illinois, Michigan and Indiana as coal plants are closing.
In one day I came across 4 articles which all carried a similar message: coal is being phased out in favor of renewable energy (solar, wind, etc.). This is not a political statement; but economical. More coal plants have closed during President Trump’s first year in office as compared to the President Obama’s last year. What’s being planned to replace the coal fired generated electricity? Wind, solar and natural gas energy.
Illinois:
- Passed the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition last year. Goal is 100% renewable energy (accompanied jobs) by 2050
- Has generated more renewable energy jobs than all coal jobs combined
Michigan:
- Michigan electric utility companies must get 30% of their power from wind, solar or other renewables by 2030
- Consumers Energy vow to end coal generation by 2040
Indiana:
- Vectren plans to close 3 coal plants by 2023
- Natural gas 800 MW and 50 MW of solar generation would replace the coal
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
https://www.greentechmedia.com/amp/article/trump-cant-save-coal?__twitter_impression=true
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/02/19/coalition-launches-clean-energy-initiative/
https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2018/02/19/consumers-energy-emissions-coal-renewable/350559002/
https://www.courierpress.com/story/news/2018/02/20/vectren-natural-gas-plant-solar-farm-join-energy/356818002/
Grass Fed Beef and Solar Energy: Perfect Match.
A cattle ranch might not be what most environmentalists want to cheer about but, how about when they generate 280 MW of power (enough to serve 60,000 homes)?
The Hearst cattle ranch will supply Apple’s Cupertino campus with the power.
The solar energy generated will AVOID the release of 109,000 tons of C02 every year. That’s the equivalent of 22,00 cars off the road. In addition, the ranch will continue to produce about 3,000 head of cattle a year of grass fed beef. The ranch, Apple, and environmentalists agree: win-win-win.
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/21/apples-solar-project-at-hearst-ranch.html