Hawaii is recognized as a top solar state in a report released by the Environment America Research & Policy Center earlier this month. Lighting the Way: What We Can Learn from America's Top 12 Solar States listed the "Dazzling Dozen" (states supporting expanding solar growth) as Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Mexico, California, Delaware, Colorado, Vermont, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Maryland. Emphasis is placed on public policies which governments create as the greatest effect on its local solar industries. States with homeowners and businesses more likely to 'go solar' have the following in common:
-Effective net metering policies
-Renewable electricity standards, where utilities are required to provide a target amount of power generation from clean tech
-Interconnection policies which reduce complications for individuals to connect to the grid
-Financing options, such as third-party PPAs, SRECS, and property assessed clean energy
"Environment America's ranking of Hawaii as a leader in solar energy is encouraging and demonstrates our state's commitment to achieving its clean energy goals," said Gov. Neil Abercrombie. "Continuing our momentum, I recently enacted legislation to establish Hawaii's innovative Green Energy Market Securitization (GEMS) program, which will provide a financing model to make clean energy improvements more affordable and within reach to underserved members of our community. This includes small businesses, nonprofits, community organizations and individuals. Utilizing all facets of our diverse renewable energy landscape is key, and we are succeeding in removing barriers to allow a greater segment of our community to invest in and benefit from clean, alternative resources such as solar."
In summary, Environment America's report details the importance of solar energy for the environment, community, and economy. Following the footsteps of the Dazzling Dozen, the report encourages:
-Local governments to eliminate formalities (e.g. permit processes, financing, and interconnection policies) which might impede residents to go solar.
-Aggressive solar energy targets at the state level.
-The federal government to consider extending tax credits, continue expansion of solar energy on federal lands, and to set standards and targets for future emerging solar energy development.
"Right now, only a small fraction of our energy comes from solar," says Rob Sargent of Environment America. "By setting a bold goal of getting 10 percent of our energy from the sun by 2030 and adopting strong policies to support that goal, the U.S. can follow in the footsteps of the 12 top solar states and put us on track to becoming a global leader in solar power."
-Effective net metering policies
-Renewable electricity standards, where utilities are required to provide a target amount of power generation from clean tech
-Interconnection policies which reduce complications for individuals to connect to the grid
-Financing options, such as third-party PPAs, SRECS, and property assessed clean energy
"Environment America's ranking of Hawaii as a leader in solar energy is encouraging and demonstrates our state's commitment to achieving its clean energy goals," said Gov. Neil Abercrombie. "Continuing our momentum, I recently enacted legislation to establish Hawaii's innovative Green Energy Market Securitization (GEMS) program, which will provide a financing model to make clean energy improvements more affordable and within reach to underserved members of our community. This includes small businesses, nonprofits, community organizations and individuals. Utilizing all facets of our diverse renewable energy landscape is key, and we are succeeding in removing barriers to allow a greater segment of our community to invest in and benefit from clean, alternative resources such as solar."
In summary, Environment America's report details the importance of solar energy for the environment, community, and economy. Following the footsteps of the Dazzling Dozen, the report encourages:
-Local governments to eliminate formalities (e.g. permit processes, financing, and interconnection policies) which might impede residents to go solar.
-Aggressive solar energy targets at the state level.
-The federal government to consider extending tax credits, continue expansion of solar energy on federal lands, and to set standards and targets for future emerging solar energy development.
"Right now, only a small fraction of our energy comes from solar," says Rob Sargent of Environment America. "By setting a bold goal of getting 10 percent of our energy from the sun by 2030 and adopting strong policies to support that goal, the U.S. can follow in the footsteps of the 12 top solar states and put us on track to becoming a global leader in solar power."
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