As the first quarter ends, solar finds itself on a roll. The Solar Energy Industries Association and research firm Wood Mackenzie recently reported that the industry installed a record 19.2 GW in 2020. We look forward to contributing to what we agree will be expansive growth this year.
In our March edition of the newsletter, we look at how a series of bills could keep Maryland's solar momentum going, why you should keep your eyes on Minnesota, how solar can help farms stabilize their finances, and the role tax equity can play in expanding community solar's reach.
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POLICY: MARYLAND IN THE SPOTLIGHT
New Bills Could Keep Maryland’s Solar Momentum Going
2019 was a milestone year for renewable energy in Maryland with the passing of the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) — a revolutionary step for the state. In an op-ed for Maryland Matters, our own John Finnerty gives a quick glance at how the current legislative session indicates that Annapolis continues smart solar advancement in both the House of Delegates and Senate.
Minnesota Is The State To Watch When It Comes To Solar In 2021
In addition to a favorable state policy environment, recently passed federal solar legislation makes prospects for solar projects in Minnesota even more appealing. Through the stimulus bill passed at the end of 2020, new solar projects also will receive a 26% investment tax credit in 2021 and 2022.
Standard Solar owns and operate projects across the state, with more than 60 megawatts in our Minnesota portfolio. In 2020, we were recognized by Solar Power World as being the #1 Solar Contractor in Minnesota.
Landowner, Operator and Community Reap Benefits of Solar While Harnessing Clean Renewable Energy
Partnership in action: Standard Solar teamed with Earth and Air Technologies LLC and Ogos Energy LLC to develop and build this 2.7 MW #solar array for Fritz Family Farms in New Windsor, #Maryland turning their low yield land into a new income source.
In the latest edition of RE:NEW — Standard Solar's Quarterly digital magazine, you can read about five of the most common roadblocks facing the industry, the state of the tax-equity funding market according to leading solar finance experts and the challenges and opportunities that present themselves when redeveloping a brownfield site into a solar project.
This month's issue covers these actionable topics and more.
Standard Solar, Inc. VP Breaks Down State of Community Solar Market and His Approach to Project Finance
In an industry where a three-year-old company is viewed as highly experienced, Standard Solar's 15-year history as a community solar-focused company precedes it. But following the company's acquisition back in 2017 by Gaz Metro, it began to transition from a construction firm into an IPP interested in developing, owning and operating its own projects.
The company is currently in the midst of a major development expansion. Over the last few years, the company has gone from owning and operating exactly 0 MW to 175 and has another 150 MW of projects under construction scheduled to be operational within the next 18 months.
Industry Support of Energy Storage ITC Bill is Critical
We joined more than 150 companies and groups to ask the House and Senate leadership to support a bill that would create a stand-alone energy storageITC, which is critical to expanding the storage market and deploying more storage in the field. Every other clean-energy technology that has used the ITC as a mechanism for growth has seen diminished costs, increased deployment, job creation and decreased emissions. As the world faces the climate crisishead on, the United States should be leading, not following. This legislation will help us do that.
