DC turns the Stanley Cup playoffs green

The ice might be white but this game is green. The first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the Washington Capitals and the Boston Bruins will be green this year. Constellation Energy, who is sponsoring the Caps playoff bid, is running a program to turn the games "green." In essence the energy company is donating renewable energy certificates to match the amount of electricity used in each game. 

It's a nice effort to offset energy consumption while watching your beloved (insert which team you like best) win! Read more in this press release (released by Constellation Energy).

North Carolina's Solar Lead

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.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/04/14/3171419/sunenergy1-wants-north-carolina.html#storylink=cpy