North Carolina is well known as a leader in renewable energy. It was ranked 8th in the nation in renewable energy after installing 55 megawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity in 2011. The State boasts a portfolio standard to enable renewable energy growth, and a 35% corporate tax credit to encourage green energy adoption. With the help of policies and increasing demand, the cost of commercial scale solar PV systems have become competitive with the retail commercial electricity rates. The Charlotte Observer profiles a major investor that was attracted to spend money in North Carolina because of these policies; SunEnergy1.
And yet, the small solar target of the renewable energy portfolio standards is now preventing NC's solar industry from reaching its full potential. The article reports that the current low portfolio standards are depressing the value of the renewable energy certificates. They point to the low REC values as a reason a "significant number of large companies are absolutely sitting on the fence as to whether to build a system."
Click here to read the full article, SunEnergy1 wants North Carolina to shine in solar power by Bruce Henderson.
No comments:
Post a Comment