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NEWS
EVENTS
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
The Borrower's Guide to Financing Solar Energy Systems: A Federal Overview
This U. S. Department of Energy document provides information that can assist assist both lenders and consumers in financing solar energy systems, which include both solar electric (photovoltaic) and solar thermal systems. The guide also includes information about other ways to make solar energy systems more affordable, as well as descriptions of special mortgage programs for energy-efficient homes.
USDA Renewable Energy Energy Efficiency Program
Section 9006 of the 2002 Farm Bill requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create a program to make direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase renewable-energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. This program is known as the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program. Eligible renewable energy projects include wind, solar, biomass and geothermal; and hydrogen derived from biomass or water using wind, solar or geothermal energy sources.
USDA has funded more than 400 loans and grants since the renewable energy program began in FY 2003. To date, the Bush Administration has invested through this program nearly $66.7 million in 36 states. This program can assist farmers, ranchers, and small rural businesses develop renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements to their operations. During Fiscal Year 2006, Texas provided nearly 1.7 million for this program. For further information regarding this program contact the USDA Rural Development at (254) 742-9780. Also see USDA Energy Initiatives, and the USDA Rural Development Texas State Office.
USDA Energy Matrix
This USDA web site offers comprehensive information on energy-related programs, funding opportunities, and technical support across all USDA agencies and offices.
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EVENTS
Renewable Energy Education in Texas - Universities and Organizations
This is a list of Texas universities and organizations that offer programs involving renewable energy.
SEI Renewable Energy Education Workshops
Solar Energy International's (SEI} Renewable Energy Education Program teaches the practical use of solar, wind, and water power. SEI workshops give individuals the knowledge and skills to design, install, and maintain renewable energy systems, and to build state-of-the- art solar homes that are efficient, practical, and earth-friendly.
PV Design Online
This SEI course provides 60 cumulative hours of training, that may be used towards NABCEP certification purposes. This course is for the person who is interested in learning how to produce their own electricity from the sun. The course will be useful to the person seeking employment in the solar energy industry as well as the person seeking to apply solar electricity for his or her own use. Participants will learn the practical and economical design of photovoltaic power systems which are independent of the utility grid and those that are grid-tied.
Austin Community College Advanced Solar Photovoltaic Installer
An advanced course in the proper design and installation of NEC code-compliant solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for use on residential and commercial buildings. Course includes: sizing of solar electric systems; specification of system components; and sizing of DC/AC wiring. Prepares students for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Installer certification exam after meeting all of the experience requirements. This course is designed for those involved in the solar industry or a related field and is intended for licensed electricians, contractors, or those with a strong understanding of solar electric systems and electrical principles. ACC also has a beginning Installer Training course. For additional information, see the ACC Course Schedule and these videos of ACC students working on PV panel installations.
3rd International Solar Cities Congress
Adelaide, South Australia
February 17-21, 2008
WIREC Trade Show
Washington, DC
March 4-6, 2008
The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) and leading U.S. renewable energy trade associations will be presenting "The Trade Show at WIREC 2008" to be co-located with the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC) in the Washington Convention Center. The Trade Show at WIREC will be the largest business conference and exposition ever held on renewable energy and related fields in the U.S. It will be global in scope, inviting exhibitors, speakers and delegates from around the world. The Trade Show at WIREC will be organized under a joint venture of ACORE and renewable energy trade associations, including:
- American Wind Energy Association
- Geothermal Energy Association
- National Hydropower Association
- Renewable Fuels Association
- Solar Energy Industries Association
NEWS
Recovery Act Targets $117.6 Million for Solar Energy May 2009
The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act will expand and accelerate the development, deployment, and use of solar energy throughout the United States.
Interior Department Moves Ahead on Offshore Renewable Energy July 2008
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) of the U.S. Department of the Interior has published a proposed rule for the regulation of "alternative" energy production on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). As defined by MMS, "alternative" energy means renewable energy, specifically including, but not limited to, wind, wave, solar, and ocean current energy projects, as well as projects to generate hydrogen. The proposed regulations will establish a program to grant leases, easements, and rights-of-way for renewable energy projects in federal waters on the OCS. The rule will also establish methods for sharing lease revenues with nearby coastal states. The MMS was authorized to establish an OCS Alternative Energy and Alternate Use Program by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The proposed rule is open to public comments through September 8, and the MMS expects to publish a final rule by December 2008.
BLM to Continue Accepting Applications for Solar Energy Projects July 2008
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced last week that it plans to continue accepting applications for future solar energy projects on public lands. The BLM announced in late May that it was initiating a joint Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) with DOE to address the impacts of solar energy development on BLM-managed public lands in six Western states. New Study: Solar Power Could Provide 10% of U.S. Electricity by 2025 June 2008
Solar energy currently provides less than 0.1% of the electricity generated in the United States, but a new report finds that solar power's contribution could grow to 10% of the nation's power needs by 2025. The report, prepared by research and publishing firm Clean Edge and the nonprofit Co-op America, projects nearly 2% of the nation's electricity coming from concentrating solar power systems, while solar photovoltaic systems will provide more than 8% of the nation's electricity. Those figures correlate to nearly 50,000 megawatts of solar photovoltaic systems and more than 6,600 megawatts of concentrating solar power. See the Utility Solar Assessment Study.
DOE Offers $60 Million for Concentrating Solar Power Research May 2008
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it will provide up to $60 million for concentrating solar power (CSP) projects that focus on advanced thermal energy storage or heat transfer fluids. The DOE funding will go toward both new research and development projects and demonstrations of technologies already under development. DOE anticipates that 10 to 25 industries or academic institutions will be selected to receive this funding, which will be distributed over the next 5 years. With a mandatory private industry cost share of 20% for research and development, and a 50% cost share for demonstrations, more than $75 million could be invested in these projects. Applications are due by July 10. See the the full solicitation on Grants.gov.
New Energy Star Criteria for Water Heaters April 2008
The new Energy Star requirements will apply to a wide range of water heaters, including solar hot water heaters. According to the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) projections, these new water heater criteria could, after five years of being implemented, save about $780 million in utility costs, avoid 4.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and achieve cumulative energy savings of more than 3.9 billion kilowatt-hours and 270 million therms of natural gas.
DOE Designates San Antonia as a Solar America City March 2008
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced its selection of 12 cities including San Antonio, Texas, as Solar America Cities. Each city will receive $200,000 (a total of $2.4 million) to integrate a variety of solar technologies, such as solar water heating, solar photovoltaic electric systems, and large-scale solar thermal electric systems, which are also known as concentrating solar power. Combined with industry cost sharing and funding from each city, the total amount invested will be approximately $12.1 million. In addition to the funding, DOE will also provide hands-on assistance from technical experts to help cities integrate solar technologies into their energy planning, zoning, and facilities; streamline local regulations and practices that affect solar adoption; provide solar financing options; and promote solar technology among residents and local businesses through outreach, curriculum development, and incentive programs.
DOE to Invest $13.7 Million for University-Led PV Projects March 2008
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that DOE will invest up to $13.7 million over 3 years for 11 university-led projects that will focus on developing advanced PV technology manufacturing processes and products. These projects are integral to the Solar America Initiative, which aims to make solar energy cost competitive with conventional forms of electricity by 2015. For additional information, see this DOE web site.
The 2007 Solar Decathlon in Review February 2008
This is a U.S. Department of Energy report.
IRS Allocates $406 Million in Clean Renewable Energy Bonds February 2008
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced last week that it has allocated $406 million in Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs) for a total of 312 renewable energy projects to be located throughout the United States. The new bond allocations range from $15,000 to $30 million and are set aside for 139 solar energy facilities, 102 wind power installations, 45 landfill gas facilities, 18 hydropower plants, 5 biomass power plants, and 3 trash combustion facilities
DOE Selects 20 Teams for the 2009 Solar Decathlon January 2008
DOE announced the names last week of the 20 university teams that will participate in the 2009 Solar Decathlon. The teams, chosen from the United States, Canada, and Europe, will each receive $100,000 from DOE to design, build, and operate energy efficient, solar-powered homes. The Solar Decathlon is an international, biennial competition that challenges university teams to design and build energy efficient solar-powered homes. In the fall of 2009, the students will transport their houses to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where the homes will be open to tour. The homes will be judged according to 10 contests that will rank the houses based on their technical design, functionality, market viability, and ability to power an electric car. See the Solar Decathlon Web site.
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