Solar Photovoltaics

City of Oakland - Solar Access Ordinance

Current Municipal codes provide some solar access protections to adjacent properties. Mostly in relation to new development proposals.

17.65.080.A.3.B - Maximum Floor Area Ratio

Regards the maximum floor area ratio regulation for the city of Oakland. It specifies the conditions for a conditional use permit for an FAR or up to 3.0 in the HBX-3 and HBX-4 zones. Including that “the additional Floor Area Ratio does not significantly decrease the solar access of existing adjacent single family homes or duplexes to a degree greater than would be created if the facility were built according to the base FAR.”

17.134.050.F.1 –

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Clean Energy Standard

The Clean Energy Standard (CES) was created to assist in reaching Massachusetts’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals adopted pursuant to the Climate Protection and Green Economy Act. The CES requires retail electricity sellers to demonstrate on an annual basis the use of clean energy for the generation of specific electricity sale percentages.

Clean Generation Resources

The CES allows two types of clean generation resources, those from existing units and those from new units. Clean existing generation refers to existing nuclear and hydroelectric generating units that have a capacity of more than 30 MW, started operations before 2011, and are

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Clean Peak Energy Standard

Note: In mid-July 2024, the Department of Energy Resources filed an emergency rulemaking that made immediate rule changes to the Clean Peak Energy Standard, including adding a near-term resource multiplier and amending the minimum standards for 2025 and thereafter. Further rule changes were then made in mid-October 2024 via a follow-on emergency rulemaking that amended ACP rates, among other things. An RFP was issued on July 31, 2025, to procure CPECs, and subsequent RFPs will be issued every two years.

On August 9, 2018, An Act to Advance Clean Energy (H.B. 4857) was signed into law, requiring the

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City of New Orleans - Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard

On April 15, 2020, the New Orleans City Council adopted a Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard (RCPS) via Resolution R-20-104, with the goal to eliminate carbon emissions in 2050 and reach net-zero emissions in 2040. Entergy New Orleans must follow the standard.

Eligible Technologies and Resources

RCPS eligibility is broken down into three tiers: Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 resources.

Tier 1 resources are any renewable energy resources (solar thermal, PV, wind, geothermal, fuel cell using renewable, hydroelectric, ocean wave, ocean thermal, tidal current, any additions/enchantments to such facilities), certain energy storage resources (batteries, flow batteries, fuel

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Granite State Clean Fleets (GSCF)

*Note: Applications closed on October 13, 2023.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services' Grant State Clean Fleets (GSCF) program is a competitive grant program for municipalities, public school districts, public colleges/universities, and transit districts that want to replace old diesel vehicles/engines/equipment diesel and EV models. The program has a total of $10 million available (partially funded by the state's Volkswagen Trust) for EV and EVSE technologies, as well as energy storage and renewable energy resources (solar, hydroelectric, and wind) to supply power to the EVSE. Grant awards vary based on the project.

To learn more about this opportunity you

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Austin Utilities (Gas and Electric) - Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Austin Utilities offers incentives to its commercial and industrial customers for the installation of energy-efficient equipment in eligible facilities. Rebates are available for lighting equipment, HVAC equipment, anti-sweat heater controls for cooler/freezer doors, motors, variable speed drives, heat pumps (air-source and geothermal), food service equipment, and finally custom and electric measures.Austin Utilities can also help examine a customer's potential energy and money saving options by identifying rebate amounts and estimated payback time. Applications must be submitted and approved before the new equipment is installed. Rebates are available until funds are exhausted for the calendar year.

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Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Generation

In March 2007, West Virginia enacted legislation (SB 441) amending its tax law concerning the business and operation (B&O) tax for wind turbines. Although SB 441 increased the taxable value of wind turbine generating capacity, the taxation level is still significantly lower than that of most other types of electricity generation. For most types of newly constructed electricity-generating units, the B&O tax is calculated by multiplying a pre-determined dollar amount by 40% of the nameplate capacity rating of the generating unit. However, the B&O tax on wind turbines is multiplied by only 12% of the nameplate capacity rating

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Net Metering

Eligibility and Applicability

Montana's net-metering law, enacted in July 1999, applies to all customers of investor-owned utilities. Systems up to 50 kilowatts (kW) in capacity that generate electricity using solar, wind or hydropower are eligible. No limit on enrollment or statewide installed capacity is specified. Utilities may not require customer-generators to comply with any additional standards or requirements beyond those established by the National Electric Code, National Electrical Safety Code, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), and Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

Net Excess Generation

Net excess generation (NEG) is credited to the customer's next monthly bill. The customer may choose

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Community Distributed Generation

Introduction

In July 2015 the NY Public Service Commission (PSC) issued an order that established a Community Net-metering in the State. The community net-metering allows multiple customers to subscribe to and receive credits for the electricity produced from off-site renewable generation facilities. This policy makes it possible for renters, low-income residents, and homeowners to receive credits for renewable energy who previously could not install a renewable generation facility in their homes. 

In general a community energy project requires a minimum of 10 members. In March 2017, the commission allowed a waiver for a minimum ten member requirement for community distributed

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Community Solar Energy Pilot Program

In May 2018,  the governor signed A3723/S2314, which mandates the creation of the Community Solar Energy Pilot Program. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities adopted rules establishing the Community Solar Energy Pilot Program on January 17, 2019.

The pilot is designed to run for three years. Program Year 1 applications opened on April 19, 2019. Program Year 2 applications were due on February 5, 2021. As of December 2022, a schedule for Program Year 3 is not available.

Aggregate capacity in the state in limited to 75 MW per program year. The capacity limit is divided

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