Solar installations keep getting more and more affordable!  According to a report from Ernst and Young, the price of solar panels could fall to as low as $1 by 2013.  This is $0.50 less than the current cost, which means solar energy could be half as expensive in just two years! 

In addition to drops in prices, you can also greatly reduce the amount of time you spend researching solar installers, panels, etc.  A new business has formed: solar energy brokering!  It was only a matter of time before the need for these middle men was recognized.  Unfortunately, this broker process is not available yet in Illinois.

“A solar broker makes the whole process easier, operating like independent insurance agents who educate customers about coverages and help them to identify their particular needs. Solar brokers can also assist with obtaining rebates and incentives. The solar broker acting as an independent agent is an alternative to a direct-sell company that markets and sells directly to the end-customer.”  While the consumer should always remain knowledgeable about renewable energy and installations, having one main contact to guide you through the process could relieve some headaches.

Another option is to lease solar panels!  Yes, this is another new business venture, in which homeowners are able to lease rooftop panels undefined some with no upfront costs undefined and pay only for the power produced.  At least four large California-based companies offer such leases, in which they install, maintain and continue to own the panels.  One company, SunRun, headquartered in San Francisco, doubled its number of leases undefined to 10,000 undefined in one year and expects to add 12,000 new ones this year.  Unfortunately, this leasing option is only offered in a few cities, where there are financial incentives and high utility rates.  As solar energy expands, though, we can expect to see this spread to Illinois.

With new solar business ideas emerging, and a decrease in solar panel prices, what is stopping you from investing in solar?  If you want to learn more about solar power for your home or business, check out one of ISEA’s courses! Be sure to stay up-to-date on this growing renewable energy market; follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

What is stopping many Americans from investing in distributed solar power?  The price.  Why invest in an installation when the end product will not produce a cheaper form of energy than the average energy grid? Avoiding the numerous environmental and social reasons, this is a major concern for Americans.  According to a recent study, though, over 40 million Americans in the sixteen largest metropolitan areas of the U.S. could reach or even beat grid prices with solar energy!
 
The study looks at three different rate design styles, time-of-use pricing, tiered pricing and off-peak flat rate (take a look at the chart here).  In order for distributed solar power to reach grid parity, it is necessary to offer time-of-use pricing.  There also must incentives in place, "including federal accelerated depreciation (for commercially-owned systems) as well as state and utility incentive programs.  These programs substitute taxpayer dollars for ratepayer ones, making the cost of solar to the grid lower."
 
The rate design is extremely important in regards to consumer behavior. As Rob Miller of Genability points out, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory released a report in April 2010 analyzing the impact of rate design and net metering on bill savings for distributed PV in California.  This report emphasizes the belief that rate design affects which form of energy people choose.  Net metering also plays a vital role. 
 
ISEA discussed net metering earlier in more detail, and raising the net metering cap from 1-2 MW is on ISEA's 2011 policy goals.  Fortunately, HB 1913, which raises the retail net metering limit for solar and wind power from 40 kW to 2 MW AC and increases the peak limit from 1% to 5%, has passed the House Public Utilities Committee and is now in debate!  This means that Illinois is on the right track to grid parity. 
 
With incentives in place and improvements in net metering, what else is needed?  Rate design.  We need a consistent, reliable rate design that will support renewable energy.  As grid parity is becoming more reachable and installation prices continue to drop, solar distribution is becoming a real option for many Americans!
 
What other outreach or policy implementations do we need in order for Illinoisans to consider solar energy as a viable option?  We want to hear from you!  Join the discussion on our LinkedIn page.

How do solar panels actually function on a home?  Is it truly beneficial to invest in renewable energy for your business?  Answer these questions and more by participating in the 2011 Illinois Solar Tour on October 1st!  This event gives you the opportunity to tour innovative green homes and buildings in Illinois to see how you can use renewable energy and energy efficiency to reduce monthly utility bills and help tackle climate change.  This tour is part of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) National Solar Tour, featuring over 5,500 buildings in 3,200 communities, making it the world’s largest grassroots solar event!
 
By taking part in this annual event, you will not only view homes and businesses but speak with homeowners and business professionals who are currently utilizing renewable energy.  The annual Solar Tour is a vehicle to educate and demonstrate to the public that renewable energy works in Illinois and that many homes and businesses are taking advantage of this resource.  With ten regions in Illinois participating in this event, there is sure to be a tour near you.  Check out photos from last year’s Illinois Solar Tour here!
 
Does your renewable energy business have Photovoltaic, Solar Thermal, Geothermal, or Small Wind installations it would like to display?  This is a great marketing opportunity to showcase your work!  Just submit an application with up to 5 sites your business would like to exhibit on the Tour.  In addition to individuals seeing your installations on the Tour and our website, over 40,000 people throughout Illinois will read about them in Mindful Metropolis! This year, we are partnering with Mindful Metropolis, who will include the Solar Tour Guidebook as an insert in their September, 2011 issue. This application is due by May 27th! 
 
If you are a home or business owner with renewable energy installations, submit this application to be a part of the Illinois Solar Tour.  We would love to display your home or business and show that Illinois is Ready for Solar!
 
With a reach of over 100,000 individuals, and print copies going to over 600 locations in-and-around Chicago, this is also a great opportunity to advertise in the Illinois Solar Tour Guidebook!  Submit an application by June 1st.
 
Learn more about the 2011 Illinois Solar Tour and all of the ways you can get involved on our website.

Need another reason to install solar panels on your home?  Solar increases home resale value.  According to a recent study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, homes with PV systems in California have sold for a premium of approximately $3.90 to $6.40/watt.  Put into layman’s terms, this corresponds to an average home sales price premium of approximately $17,000 for a relatively new PV system. 

The lead author of the research, Ben Hoen, describes, “These average sales price premiums appear to be comparable with the average investment that homeowners have made to install PV systems in California, and of course homeowners also benefit from energy bill savings after PV system installation and prior to home sale.”

As you might have guessed, this is not the first time this topic has been covered.  The American Solar Energy Society points out that in 2008, Barbara Farhar had an award-winning SOLAR TODAY article about the resale value of net-zero-energy homes in Southern California, and in 1998, Andy Black of OnGrid Solar, sought to establish that a home's value increases due to energy-efficiency improvements. 

The current Berkeley Lab study surpasses previous work in its breadth, methodical research and timeliness.  This study looks at home values after the downturn in the housing market.  Thus proving that even in current economic times, homes with solar systems have a higher value than those without.  One limitation to this study is that it only takes into account houses in California.  Conducting a similar study in a larger geographic region may reveal different trends.  Regardless, this is a positive step for solar energy and the general public!

Read more about the study here.

Want to learn about the value of solar homes in your region? Contact ISEA!  You can also register for one of our PV classes and decide if it is right for you. 

Stay up-to-date on solar news; follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

This year's summit will take place on Tuesday, May 17 at the Chicago-Kent College of Law (565 West Adams). Registration cost is $50 for staff at CGCJI and Partner organizations and $75 for all others.

This year's summit is aimed at providing a variety of stakeholders with practical information on navigating employer recognized credentials in the labor market, regional job growth, and innovative workforce development strategies among employment training programs and educational partnerships.

Michelle Hickey from the ISEA will be a panelist, as will John Caravette, ISEA Board Member and owner of Earth Wind and Solar Energy.

EVENT DETAILS

I am happy to report that House Bill 1913, sponsored by Rep Karen May, which raises the retail net metering limit for solar and wind power from 40 kW to 2 MW AC and increases the peak limit from 1% to 5%, has passed the House Public Utilities Committee 23-0 on April 13, 2011. 

House Bill 1943, sponsored by Rep Ann Williams, which includes up to 25 kW and 25-2000 kW carve outs in the Renewable Portfolio Standard, has passed the House Environment and Energy Committee 17-0 on April 14, 2011. 

Both bills now go to the full Illinois House for a short debate.  You can follow the legislation at the Illinois General Assembly website www.ilga.gov and insert "HB1913" or "HB1943" in the top keyword search on the left.

The Village of Oak Park is proposing to install a 95KW photovoltaic system on the top level of its "Avenue" parking structure located at 710 North Blvd (approx. 1/2 block east of Oak Park Ave. on North Blvd).
 
A pre-proposal meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Oak Park Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd, Oak Park.
 
Proposals are due on or before Tuesday, May 10, 2011, 11:00 a.m. at the Public Works Center.

Download RFP

Invenergy, a Chicago wind and solar power company, plans to build a solar farm in Illinois utilizing new thin-film solar panels and inverters developed by GE. 

The location of the solar farm is still undetermined, but the expected output is 20 MWh.

adapted from Chicago Sun Times article