Every Friday, Community Renewable Energy will share important clean energy developments– and some that are just plain cool.
Here’s what we were reading the week of April 29, 2013.
Nonprofits, schools, and businesses back solar power
This week, we heard about how nonprofits and schools are adding solar technology: Four schools will receive PV modules (including three in Ohio) thanks to the Brian D. Robertson Memorial Solar Schools Fund. Solar power and schools are a natural fit, because solar power not only lowers expenses, but it also presents a fantastic opportunity for hands-on science and technology lessons. (from Solar Novus Today)- Additionally, several major corporations invested in solar power and renewables recently, including Google, Verizon, and IKEA (which commissioned a 2.2 MW PV plant).
National news and policy
Master Limited Partnerships for renewable energy are gaining bipartisan support. (Bloomberg Businessweek) Check back with Community Renewable Energy as we continue to cover this developing story.
Ohio
14 environmental and consumer groups united to defend Ohio’s energy mandates (Senate Bill 221) and launched a website, Ohioans for Clean Affordable Energy (Crain’s Cleveland Business). - Meanwhile, an editorial in the Toledo Blade voiced what so many Ohioans feel:
Ohio’s clean-energy law is creating jobs, promoting advanced manufacturing and small business, diversifying the state’s power supply, improving public health by reducing pollution, and lowering utility bills. Continued investment encouraged by the law will accelerate all of these advantages. State government shouldn’t even think of weakening it.
State policy
- New York’s State Senate “unanimously passed legislation to extend the successful NY-Sun program for 10 years and make New York a real solar powerhouse.” (Clean Techies)
- Hawaii’s strides have been collected in a neat infographic, which shows how important it is to understand tax credits and financial incentives when aiming boost green innovation. (The Energy Collective)
International progress
- World leaders support increasing energy access across the globe. (ONE)
- In other international news, Indonesia—which already has 117 solar power plants– announced plans to develop 36 more this year. (EcoSeed)
Technological advances
Last but not least– because solar technology is always advancing in surprising and exciting ways, we want to share these amazing stories of a solar powered plane crossing the country (Reuters), and the debut of the fastest-ever two-seater solar powered air plane! (Inhabitat)
What do you think was the most important solar power story this week? Share your insights and thoughts through comments on this blog or by email.
For news about sustainable community and economic development, visit Praxia Partners’ blog.