Solar poised for growth in Michigan
Michigan regulators have adjusted what the utilities will pay for power generators that meet the qualification established under PURPA.
In most cases, it was lowered to reflect the actual costs utilities pay today.
However, in lowering the avoid cost existing PURPA qualifying power plants will get paid less.
Avoided costs rate had not been changed in Michigan since the 1980s. An update was overdue.
Solar and wind advocates believe the new rates will encourage large scale renewable energy in the state.
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.
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Electricity from Coal generation continues to decline in the US
The Federal Energy Agency (FERC) looks ahead annually and forecasts the energy supply for all the generation sources in the US. In the most recent forecast, the energy source being reduced the most remains coal. Natural gas, wind and solar will contribute the most new generation in the coming years. This is the trend that has been in place for 10+ years. Last year was the first time that coal contributed less than ½ of all US electricity.
Coal generation continues to decline as does coal jobs while solar and wind jobs more than made up for the net loss of jobs. However, the wind and solar jobs are generally not located in areas where the coal jobs are lost (with the exception of Illinois, and Indiana).
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.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-20-gw-of-coal-capacity-headed-for-retirement-by-2020/514277/
One year later, Illinois energy jobs law bearing fruit
What creates electricity and jobs? Solar Energy!
A new community solar plant will be generating enough energy to power 400 homes in Tazewell County. Building and maintaining the solar plant required about 30 jobs. The solar plant and the jobs were the result of Illinois’ Future Energy Jobs Act. Any community in the state can do the same due to the legislation which Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria helped pass.
Realgy owns and operates 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
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.
Additional Information:
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20171206/one-year-later-illinois-energy-jobs-law-bearing-fruit
How the House Tax Bill Would Impact Wind, Solar, Electric Vehicles and Utilities
Long term planning is what all businesses and countries seek right?
The U.S. passed laws to encourage the investment in renewable energy technology and innovation. Since then, companies, states and municipalities have invested $BILLIONs to achieve commercially available energy products, sustainable energy and reduced pollution/greenhouse gases. Renewable energy has been a top job producer.
The House Republicans and Senate have unveiled tax reform bills that would undermine this planning and progress. Proposed reforms would include:
- Curtail wind construction
- Stop long term investment in solar development
- Stop investment in electric vehicles
These 3 items represent the majority of jobs created in the electric energy industry over the last 8 years.
One addition was incentive for small wind turbines, fuel cells and geothermal. This is a good plan as none of these technologies are currently commercially viable. That will take a long-term plan. While the Republican tax reform gets finalized, look at what is done to the engines of job growth in the energy industry and for those that carry out long term planning.
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.
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Ann Arbor taking first step to add solar to downtown parking facilities
Joining the electric vehicle charging stations downtown will be a $50,000 solar-electric installation. The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has been working to increase sustainability around the city. Multiple projects are in place to reach this goal, with this recent endeavor being one of the necessary baby steps. According to plans, energy generated will be sent to DTE’s electrical grid with DDA receiving credit.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 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.
Additional Information:
http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2017/10/ann_arbor_taking_first_step_to.html
ComEd community solar tariff approved by Illinois regulator
The ICC approved ComEd’s solar tariff application. A solar customer can subscribe to a minimum and a maximum of the output of a single community solar installation. Various concerns were discussed about the pricing and exclusion of transmission charges. However, the ICC sided with ComEd. There is a possibility for adjustments but it is uncertain how intervenors will move forward. The tariff is another step in furthering the efforts of the Future Energy Jobs Act.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 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.
Additional Information:
https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2017/10/09/comed-community-solar-tariff-approved-by-illinois-regulator/
Michigan’s ‘largest solar park’ will produce enough energy to power 11,000 homes
One of the largest utility-owned solar parks east of the Mississippi is now up and running. Lapeer is generating enough energy to power 11,000 homes. DTE has invested in solar energy and plans to cut carbon emissions by more than 80% by 2050.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 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.
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Another Nebraska family installs solar panels in path of Keystone XL pipeline
The Keystone XL oil pipeline path would be from Canada through several states, threatening the health and businesses of many Americans. Landowners have been fighting the proposal, some by installing solar panels in the path of the pipeline. This resistance to the expansion of fossil fuel usage shows the need to focus on creating more renewable energy systems. They continue to urge the commissioners to deny this project a permit.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 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.
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Electric Forecast
Total U.S. electricity generation from utility-scale power plants averaged 11,145 gigawatthours per day in 2016. Forecast U.S. generation declines by 1.2% in 2017, which mostly reflects expectations of milder temperatures in the third quarter of 2017 compared with the same period last year. Forecast generation grows by 1.8% in 2018 based largely on a forecast of colder temperatures during the first quarter of 2018 compared with the same period in 2017 and on the expectation of a growing economy.
EIA expects the share of U.S. total utility-scale electricity generation from natural gas to fall from an average of 34% in 2016 to about 31% in 2017 as a result of higher natural gas prices, increased generation from renewables and coal, and lower electricity demand. Coal’s forecast generation share rises from 30% last year to almost 32% in 2017. The projected generation shares for natural gas and coal are nearly identical in 2018, averaging between 31% and 32%.
Wind electricity generating capacity at the end of 2016 was 81 gigawatts (GW). EIA expects wind capacity additions in the forecast will bring total wind capacity to 88 GW by the end of 2017 and to 102 GW by the end of 2018.
Total utility-scale solar electricity generating capacity at the end of 2016 was 22 GW. EIA expects solar capacity additions in the forecast will bring total utility-scale solar capacity to 29 GW by the end of 2017 and to 32 GW by the end of 2018.
Sun shines on ‘green rate,’ solar project
Traverse City put their money where they live!
The city will pay an extra 0.2 cents per kilowatt-hour for all municipal operations. That amount represents the difference between the cost of the solar array’s energy and the utility’s avoided cost in buying it. TCL&P will adjust the surcharge every year of the 20-year, fixed contract, and the surcharge could become a credit if prices for power on the open market rise.
Realgy applauds the City’s goal to power all government operation with renewable energy by 2020.
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.
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