Illinois Solar Energy Association ISEA Blog

ISEA BOARD OF DIRECTOR POSITION DESCRIPTION

Lesley McCain — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 20:50:45 GMT

ISEA BOARD OF DIRECTOR POSITION DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA/Association) is a 501-c-3 organization established on April 30, 1979. The ISEA currently has an eleven (11) member Board of Directors of whom four Directors serve as Officers - President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Officers are elected for one-year terms by the Board of Directors.

MISSION

The education and advocacy of solar, wind and other forms of renewable energy to the people of Illinois.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS FUNCTIONS

As representatives of the membership of the ISEA, the Board of Directors is the primary force advancing the Association to the fulfillment of its opportunities for service and of its obligations to the membership, to the Association as a single entity and to the nonprofit community at large.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Planning

Approves the ISEA’s mission and reviews the management’s (BOD & ED) performance in achieving it.

Annually reviews and approves the ISEA strategic plan and budget.

2. Organization

Work with the Executive Director to create a strategic direction for the Association and to set short and long term goals.
Assure that management continuity is properly provided.
Approve appropriate compensation and benefit policies and practices.
Identify candidates and determine the eligibly of candidates for the nomination of officers and directors.
Actively participate at the Board meetings and on Committee assignments.
Support sponsoring donor and community support building events as designated by the Board.
Identify potential funding sources and serve as an Ambassador in securing organizational funding.
Annually evaluate the performance of the Executive Director/Program Coordinator and determining any bonus awards or increases in salary.
Be an active member of both ISEA and American Solar Energy Society (ASES).
Annually review the performance of the Board of Directors and take steps (including recommendation for its composition, organization, and responsibilities) to improve its performance.

3. Operations

Review the results achieved by management as compared to ISEA’s mission, program plans, and the Association’s Strategic Plan as well as in comparison with those of similar organizations.
Ascertain that the financial structure of the ISEA is adequate for its current needs and the implementation of the Strategic Plan by approving the Association’s annual budget.
Provide advice and comments and direction to the members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Director
Approve major actions of the Association, such as capital expenditures on all projects over authorized limits or major changes in programs, services, office location, etc.
Review monthly and annual financial results for the organization and ensuring, through the oversight of the finance committee, that reports are accurate and in accordance with accepted accounting principles

4. Director Position Description

The role of each Director is to serve a two-year term by leading, advising, and supporting the activities of the ISEA. Each Director participates by:

Attending all Board meetings, prepared to further the success of the Association and to support the Association’s mission statement and goals.
Monitoring and mentoring standing committees as assigned and on an as needed basis providing advice, encouragement and voice for the committee to the Board.
Responsible for identifying and nominating candidates for vacant board positions.
Accepting special assignments designated by the President.
Remaining current on the activities of the Association by following its publications (includes electronic, print and virtual), issues and interests.
Remaining current on issues affecting the nonprofit sector as it relates to the mission of the Association, its members or community at large.
Informing the Board and staying proactive in helping position the Association to support its members or to enhance its funding sources.
Acting as a role model, change agent and professional exemplar.

TIME COMMITMENT

Two-year term. BOD meetings area at a minimum of every other month for two hours in the evening. Conference call meetings are also occasionally hosted. Additional meetings may be scheduled and advance notification will be made to ensure participation.

REQUIREMENTS OF CANDIDATES

The ISEA Board of Directors desires that its Directors bring a diversity of talents and capabilities to the ISEA, as well as a passion to materially fulfill the Mission of the Association.

ISEA is seeking Directors who represent various aspects of the solar, wind and other renewable energy fields, as well as individuals in potentially impacted industries, such as real estate, legal, finance, education, environment, transportation and manufacturing. It is also desired that as diverse a range of people as possible make up the Board. Candidates should have innate leadership, management, well developed interpersonal skills, patience and good humor, and be able to participate in and sustain collaborative group efforts.

ISEA Board Directors are expected to lend their knowledge, skills and abilities in fundraising, policy, education, marketing and related activities to further the Association Mission. This work will be channeled through a combination of guiding ISEA staff, Committee formation, direction and/or participation. Fundraising, through direct or leveraged actions, is key to the continued growth and wellbeing of the ISEA.

Currently Board Directors are elected for two-year terms, staggered at six positions after even-numbered years and five positions after odd-numbered years. Candidates running for two year terms must be ISEA members in good standing for at least one year prior to taking office at the first ISEA Board of Directors meeting, held in January. The Candidate can be an Individual, Senior/Student or Family Member or part of a Business Member category that has been an ISEA Member in good standing for at least one year. Candidates may be self-nominated or be nominated by another ISEA member.

5. APPLICATION PROCESS

There will be four Director positions for re-election for the 2011-12 term. Candidates are requested to submit their candidacy announcement in an email to contactisea@illinoissolar.org to the attention of the ISEA President Stephen Thorn and Secretary Shannon Fulton.

In the email response please state the candidate’s name, affiliation (if any) and contact information, as well as a statement up to 100 words of their candidacy.

Candidates will also have the opportunity to announce their candidacy during the ISEA Member Meeting to take place on Thursday December 20^th Thursday December 20^th 6-8pm IIT, University Technology Park, Atrium, 3440 S Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60616

Nominations in person will be accepted until the close of the meeting. Electronic submissions of candidacy to contactisea@illinoissolar.org will be accepted until 4 PM, local time on, December 20, 2012.

VOTING

Voting will occur by electronic ballots and emailed out on or about January 3^rd 2013 to all ISEA members in current good standing. Responses will be due back no later than two weeks following the date of receipt in order to be counted. Votes will be tallied and results made known prior to the next ISEA Board of Directors meeting to be held in January 2013.

Policy Action Alert- DG Certification ruling written comments due Monday Dec 17th

Lesley McCain — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:20:00 GMT

POLICY ACTION ALERT

Public written comments on the DG Certification ruling (Docket 12-0213) are due on Monday December 17^th 2012.

Please provide your written comments directly to the Illinois Commerce Commission. It is imperative that you detail how this ruling will impact your business.

In our interpretation, there are 3 basic issues with the statute: the definition of “install”, the definition of “qualified person” and the certifications that will be recognized and the fee structure.

Please note, the process on how to provide comments is outlined below.

1. “Install” means to complete the on-premise electrical wiring and connections necessary to interconnect

distributed generation facility with the electric utility’s distribution system .

However the subsequent language of what it does not include creates confusion and ambuguity.

The meaning of “install” in this part specifically does not include:

· Electrical wiring and connections to interconnect the distributed generation facility performed by utility workers on the electric utility's distribution system;

· Electrical wiring and connections internal to the distribution facility performed by the manufacturer; or

· Tasks not associated with the electrical interconnection of the distributed generation facility, including those relating to planning and project management performed by individuals such as an inspector, management planner, consultant, project designer, contractor or supervisor for the project.

2. The current DG Installer Certification requirements specify that only “Qualified Persons” may connect a

solar PV array to the grid. A “Qualified Person” is currently narrowly defined as:

An apprentice or journeyman electrician who has completed a United States Department of Labor Registered Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Program and received a certification of satisfactory completion; OR

Or a person who has satisfactorily completed at least twenty installations of DG technologies

3. Currently, the Application fee for certification is $3,000 with an annual re-certification report of $500.

Penalty for noncompliance is $6,000.

The ISEA believes these rules will:

· Impose unnecessary barriers on the growth of Illinois' solar and small wind industry;

· Place burdensome financial requirements on small businesses; and

· Displace highly trained individuals from employment.

. Process:

· Go to www.icc.illinois.gov

· Select Consumers tab

· Click Comment on a Case

· Select a case from list drop down menu box, enter P 12 0213, SELECT

· In the comment section be sure to include “First Notice Comments”

AN ADDITIONAL NOTE REGARDING THESE DRAFT RULES:

The Illinois DCEO is required to run a small business impact study to determine how the DG certification ruling will affect solar businesses in Illinois. As such, please also email a copy of your comments to Katy Khayyat at her email address below and copy Lesley.mccain@illinoissolar.org.

Katy Khayyat

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

Office of Regulatory Flexibility

500 East Monroe Street, 5^th Floor

Springfield, IL 62701

Email: Katy.Khayyat@Illinois.gov

Public Hearing on Solar Installer rules

Michelle Hickey — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 19:51:09 GMT

POLICY ACTION ALERT

It is imperative that anyone with a vested interest in the development of solar in Illinois participate in this Public Hearing regarding the certification of distributed generation installers. This is your opportunity to voice your opinion on how these rules will affect your business and the growth of solar in Illinois.

Monday, December 10^th
9:30 am

2 Illinois Commerce Commission Locations

Springfield
Leland Building
527 East Capitol Avenue

Chicago
160 N. LaSalle St, Suite C-800

Anyone from the public may attend and comment.

The current Distributed Generation Installer Certification rules (Docket 12-0213) specify that only “Qualified Persons” may connect a solar PV array to the grid. A “Qualified Person” is defined as:

An apprentice or journeyman electrician who has completed a United States Department of Labor Registered Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Program and received a certification of satisfactory completion.
Or a person who has satisfactorily completed at least twenty installations of DG technologies

The Application fee for certification is $3,000 with an annual recertification report of $500. Penalty for noncompliance is $6,000.

The ISEA believes these rules will:

Negatively impact solar industry growth
Place burdensome financial requirements onto small businesses
Displace highly trained individuals from employment

Please RSVP to ISEA so we know who will be attending either the Springfield or Chicago meeting.

Renewable Energy Certificates

Michelle Hickey — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:47:40 GMT

People with renewable energy systems or considering installing one and those who live in communities that have or recently voted for Municipal Aggregation of their electricity will be faced with a term that can be confusing - Renewable Energy Certificates/Credits, often referred to as RECs.

All energy production generates at least two outputs. Traditional energy, coal and nuclear, generate electricity and pollution/waste. Renewable energy systems, like solar arrays and wind turbines, generate two outputs as well – electricity and RECs. The RECs are a mechanism developed by the EPA to encourage development of non polluting energy projects. For every 1000 k Wh (1 MWh) of renewable energy produced, one REC is generated.

RECs are tradable, marketable commodities that are sold to companies, states, cities, or other entities that have established a Renewable Energy Standard or other commitment to renewable energy. If you travel, you may have seen an option to “green” your travel by purchasing these credits or you may live in a community that offers a “green” energy option for your electricity usage.

The sale of RECs provides a revenue stream for solar and wind developers that contribute to the financial viability of a project. Financing will often include a contract of 5-20 years for the RECs produced by the project. REC pricing fluctuates due to supply and demand, but in areas where it is an effective mechanism to spur development, pricing is typically in the $100-$400 range.

A project can sell RECs as long as it is operational, so a wind farm that was built 10 years ago can continue to sell the RECs it generates. These RECs provide additional revenue to the project developer, but do not support NEW development and are often sold cheaply. We are already enjoying the environmental benefits of this project and they have already received the revenue to finance, so rather than purchase these “cheap” RECs, consider purchasing RECs from a project that needs the additional revenue in order to be developed.

Illinois has a Renewable Portfolio Standard to procure 25% of its energy from renewable sources by 2025. RECs are the mechanism by which the state achieves this percentage. Unfortunately, Illinois does not have an in-state preference, which means they don’t have to purchase RECs from Illinois based solar and wind projects. This hurts the Illinois economy by supporting renewable energy development in other states rather than in Illinois and prevents the reduction of environmental and health problems created by our continued reliance on fossil fuel based energy.

So when purchasing RECs, buy Illinois and support new development!

REBATE PROGRAM OPENED TODAY AT 11:00 AM

Michelle Hickey — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 15:55:46 GMT

The Illinois DCEO Solar and Wind Energy Rebate Program is OPEN

Application

http://www.illinoisbiz.biz/dceo/Bureaus/Energy_Recycling/Energy/Clean+Energy/01-RERP.htm

Photovoltaic (solar electric) incentives

$1.50/watt or 25% for homeowners and businesses

$2.60/watt or 40% for nonprofits and public entities

Wind energy incentives

$1.70/watt or 30% of project cost for homeowners and businesses

$2.60/watt or 40% for non-profits and public entities

Solar thermal incentives

30% of project cost for homeowners and businesses
40% of project cost for non-profits and public entities

Maximum rebate for all solar and wind energy projects is $10,000

DCEO has allocated a budget of $1.5 million to this program. This budget is the same as the last few years. Applications are considered on a first come, first serve basis.

No grants will be offered during the 2013 Fiscal Year due to the $3.7 million appropriation to Illinois Green Economy Network which reduced DCEO's budget from $5 million to $1.3 million.

DCEO had to work hard to ensure the Rebate Program stayed alive and had comparable funding to past years by adjusting budgets and eliminating the grants.

REBATE PROGRAM STILL ALIVE

Michelle Hickey — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 12:30:15 GMT

The IL DCEO has announced that there WILL BE a SOLAR & WIND ENERGY REBATE PROGRAM for 2012. It will have less money than 2011, but will still fund solar photovoltaics, solar thermal, and wind installations.

GO SOLAR!

Renewable Energy RFPs

Michelle Hickey — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:55:33 GMT

Source: DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)

This update contains solicitations for renewable energy generation, renewable energy certificates, and green power as a courtesy to our subscribers. Unless otherwise noted, these requests for proposals and solicitations are neither supported nor endorsed by the U.S. Department of Energy, Green Power Network.

Deadline - August 15, 2012
Western Area Power Administration (Western) RFP seeking up to 592,618 MWh of eligible renewable energy certificates (RECs) on behalf of various U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories and Environmental Protection Agency. Western is requesting firm, fixed, per-MWh unit price offers for each FY for the transfer of RECs on behalf of any or all of the REC Requestors for terms of each FY beginning FY 2012 through FY 2016.
Contact: Sandee Peebles

Deadline - August 31, 2012
Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) RFP seeking a developer to finance, design, construct, install, operate, maintain, repair and replace new ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) systems on a minimum of thirty acres on airport property at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). The CDA has identified seven potential sites for solar development on ORD property, totaling fifty-two acres. All questions are due July 27, 2012.
Contact: ORDSOLARPV@cityofchicago.org

A complete list of active RFPs can found on our Financial Opportunities page.

Solar Drinks Policy + Clean Energy Illinois

Michelle Hickey — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 21:39:01 GMT

The solar community was inspired last night at Solar Drinks to galvanize our collective power to establish a sustainable future for solar. Clean Energy Illinois PAC leaders presented their plan to raise money to fund election efforts for candidates that will not only support clean energy legislation but CREATE growth and longevity.

Illinois policy has consistently hindered solar development and with this latest hit to the DCEO Solar & Wind Energy Rebate Program by Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) combined with the RPS funding issue, the solar community is ready to take action.

Below are some resources related to last nights Solar Drinks:

ISEA Policy summary PowerPoint

Clean Energy Illinois PAC

TAKE ACTION page to save solar businesses

WCPT Podcast of Lisa Albrecht, advocate for Clean Energy Illinois, on the Mike Nowak show 7/8/12

Solar & Property Taxes

Michelle Hickey — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 13:41:34 GMT

Special Assessment for IL Solar Energy Systems

Solar systems should not increase your property taxes according to Property Tax Code § 35 ILCS 200/10-5 et seq. Illinois offers a special assessment for solar energy systems, but you may have to register with a chief county assessment officer or contact your local assessor. Solar energy equipment is valued at no more than a conventional energy system.

Eligible equipment includes both active and passive solar-energy systems.

Check your property tax bill, and if you feel your assessment increased due to your solar installation, contact your local assessor office who is listed on your tax bill.

Your assessor may request a completed State of Illinois PTAX-330 property tax form.

Solar Ambassadors

Michelle Hickey — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 17:24:28 GMT

The ISEA is made up of incredible people who support solar in many ways:

   • through membership which funds ISEA programs
   • by installing renewable energy on their home or business
   • by working in the renewable energy industry
   • by volunteering
   • and by being a Solar Ambassador!

Just recently several ISEA members have stepped up as Solar Ambassadors sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for solar with others to expand awareness and support solar development!

Peter Gorr was recently recognized by the Illinois Sierra Club for his work educating and influencing municipalities on greening their electric supply! Read about how Peter walks the walk with his own home solar installation. The ISEA will be hosting a Solar Social on August 4th at Peters home.

Rich Born, a lifetime ISEA member, educated a group of 20 junior high girls from the Northern Illinois University Enhancing Engineering Path ways (NIU-EEP) program about solar on June 14th. Rich is a retired educator who loves to teach and share his enthusiasm for solar. He has a 5 kW photovoltaic system and a Chevy Volt.

Susan Tauck and Bill Wawak, who have both participated in the Solar Tour for several years, volunteered to share their renewable energy experiences and installations with 8 teachers who are participating in an Energy and Ag class through the McHenry County Farm Bureau. Both Tauck and Wawak have PV, solar thermal and wind installations.

Thank you to these Solar Ambassadors and any others who are sharing their passion for solar with others. Let's continue to spread the word that Illinois is Ready for Solar!

Net-metering update

Michelle Hickey — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 14:44:39 GMT

Last year during the veto session SB 1652, ComEd Smart Grid, passed and included language regarding net metering. The new net metering language increased eligible system size from the previous 40 kW to 2 MW, but added the caveat of non-competitive customer class in order to qualify for 1:1 kilowatt-hour credit and free net meter installation.

On May 30, 2012, SB 3811, passed both houses and succeeded in adding language to protect current and future renewable energy customers' ability to receive a 1:1 kilowatt-hour credit for their overproduction. Now all customer classes that were not declared competitive as of July 1, 2011, both residential and 100 kW peak load customers, are eligible for 1:1 kilowatt-hour credit.

Be assured that if you currently net meter and receive a 1:1 kilowatt-hour credit on your bill, are a residential or 100 kW peak load utility customer, then your net metering arrangement will continue.

New renewable energy customers who are residential or 100 kW peak load utility customers are also eligible for 1:1 kilowatt-hour net metering.

All other customer classes that have been declared competitive are still able to net meter up to a 2 MW size system, but will receive the utilities avoided cost as a credit for over production.

Net metering credits roll over month to month, but are annualized in April or October, depending on your agreement. At that time any accumulated credits are erased and go to the utility. An ISEA member and Solar Ambassador recently wrote about this issue, click here to read his blog post.

Solar & Wind Energy Rebate Program likely gone

Michelle Hickey — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 14:12:35 GMT

On Thursday, May 31st the Illinois legislature passed the budget which included a $3.7 million appropriation to the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN). The money is to be taken from the IL DCEO portion of the Renewable Energy Resources Trust Fund, which typically contains $5 million - a loss of 75% of their funding.

The Solar & Wind Energy Rebate program is typically allocated $1.5 million of the $5 million budget, but with only $1.3 million left in the fund after the sweep, it is unlikely to be continued for 2012-13.

The ISEA will keep you posted as we learn more from IL DCEO.

Jigar Shah's Message to Small Illinois Solar Companies

Michelle Hickey — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:16:05 GMT

Original Post at Heatspring Magazine by Brian Hayden

This week I flew to Chicago for the Illinois Solar Energy Association fund raiser. Jigar Shah delivered the keynote to 70 registrants, packed into Emmett’s Place in Palatine. I left at 9:30pm with an excited sense that Solar PV in Illinois is going to take off.

Worried you can't compete with

big, national solar companies?

"Nothing could be further
from the truth."

This was my second Jigar Shah presentation, (here is my first) and I’m on the verge of becoming a groupie – the guy spews useful information at a prolific rate. He delivered great Illinois-specific policy insights, but my favorite topic he covered was, “When explosive growth happens here in Illinois, and all of the big, national, solar installation companies begin flooding the market, and installed prices drop to $2.75/watt, how can you possibly compete?”

When Jigar asked this question, the room got quiet, because it’s a very real concern for the small businesses that have been pushing a big rock up a hill for a long time. They’ve built a market, invested in lobbying on the state level, and it would be bittersweet to watch the industry take off if they couldn’t reap the benefits. Here was Jigar’s encouraging message:

Worried you can’t compete with bigger solar companies? Nothing could be further from the truth. Some of you might get bought, as the bigger players don’t know your market. And some of you will grow to be the biggest players in this market because you know and care about your communities. That does still matter.

You guys have a lower cost structure than the big guys. Once you can get to 1 container/month, you’ll have the same materials cost structure, and you don’t have layers of management and overhead that the big guys do. The most profitable solar contractors in the U.S. are 1 office, usually a husband and wife team, with 2 crews.
The only thing big companies have that you lack, is confidence. You charge more because you plan to do one job per month and you need that job to cover salaries and overhead for that whole month. Build a model to find out what sort of volume you need to do to install for $2.75/watt and start working toward that. You have to believe it’s possible for it to work.
The biggest impediment to you making money in the solar business is the fact that you love solar so much, so you forget about the basic principles of business: you have to have more money coming in than going out.
Everyone here needs to understand third party financing. It’s not as complicated as you think it is, and it’s a fundamentally easier sell, so it’s opening up bigger and bigger markets. (Note: HeatSpring has a free online Solar Lease Training.)
It’s critical that you understand how the SRECs are going to be valued here in Illinois. Springfield is far, but you’ve got to go. You think you’re above lobbying and getting involved with government, but they need to see your face, and they need to hear where you’ve installed solar, and who your customers are. They care about that stuff and it makes a big difference. (Note: HeatSpring has a free online Understanding SRECs training.)

Events like this are a great reason to join ISEA, or whatever your local organization is. There’s no substitute for live networking, getting involved, and getting the inside scoop on what’s coming.

The Illinois market feels like Massachusetts in 2008. With the Renewable Energy World analysis of the Solar PV Market in Massachusetts in the back of my mind, I felt like I could provide useful lessons for how to win as the industry grows. I truly think we’re going to see something great happen in Illinois in the coming years.

Solar & EV charging Installer Certification

Michelle Hickey — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:52:34 GMT

Included in SB1652, now Public Act 097-0616, is a provision for the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to develop certification standards for solar PV and EV charging station installers.

Rulemaking on docket 12-0212 begins today. The ISEA is intervening and will participate in this process. ELPC and IBEW are also intervening.

Solar at work in the Midwest

Michelle Hickey — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:36:11 GMT

After watching this video you will want to get solar for yourself. Attend Solar Social (its FREE) on April 28th at Freedom Field in Rockford to learn how you can!

Solar road trip through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio demonstrating solar working in the Midwest.

Illinois REC Workshop #2 - April 2nd

Michelle Hickey — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:56:41 GMT

The Illinois Power Authority (IPA) is hosting a second workshop so that it may effectively include a distributed generation REC component, compliant with PA 097-0616, in its next Procurement Plan for 2013. Presenting will be Brad Klein of the Environmental Law and Policy Center, who along with Paul Neilan (energy lawyer) and Thomas Russell (of ComEd) have volunteered to help lead our discussion.

Monday, April 2, 2012
1:00 - 4:00 PM
Room N-505
Michael A. Bilandic Building
160 N. LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60601
(allow time to go through building security)

Call In Information:
(877) 402-9757
Passcode: 9525407

Please indicate your attendance plans by emailing arlene.juracek@illinois.gov

Oak Park Avenue Garage gets Solar

Michelle Hickey — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:43:25 GMT

Here’s a cool time lapse look at 42 tons of galvanized steel being delivered and installed Sunday, Feb 19th to the Avenue Garage in Oak Park as part of a 390 panel PV project awarded to Solar Service in a design bid competition last fall. Next week we attach our panel racking to this support structure and hope to complete the project a couple weeks later.

The solar array on the parking garage will generate sufficient electricity not only to power the electrical needs of the garage, but also generate surplus power that can be sold back to the electric grid.

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Job - IL RE Sales & Outreach

Michelle Hickey — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:55:49 GMT

Community Energy, a leading national wind and solar energy marketer, is seeking energetic self-starters with a passion for promoting clean energy in and around the Chicagoland area. Promote clean, homegrown renewable energy and make a difference by signing up new residential customers for the 100% Illinois Wind and Solar Option. This is a community-oriented, grassroots effort and lots of fun.

Click here to read full job description

Illinois Plans to Procure Small Scale Renewable Energy

Michelle Hickey — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:03:51 GMT

Public Act 097-0616_Senate Bill 1652 (page 9 line 19) stipulates that at least .5% of the Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) in 2013 shall come from distributed renewable energy generation, .75% by 2014, and 1% by 2015. Half of the distributed generation requirement shall come from systems 25 kW or smaller. Table illustrating the Illinois RPS and the percentage to come from Distributed Generation.

The Illinois Power Authority (IPA) is hosting workshops to assist with the development of a distributed generation renewable resource procurement plan for 2013.

Please take the time to attend the workshop in person to show that there is a solar and small wind community in Illinois that will be greatly impacted by the results of this workshop process. It is important to voice your comments for the record.

Friday, February 24, 2012
1:00 - 4:00 PM
Room N-502
Michael A. Bilandic Building
160 N. LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60601
(allow time to go through building security)

Dial-in information:
(877) 402-9757
Access Code 9525407

Distributed Generation Procurement Discussion Slides

In the first meeting the IPA would like to ensure that participants are all fully informed of the necessary criteria for the program and to start the discussion. In a second meeting participants will be welcome to present suggestions for how to deal with open items. A third meeting, if necessary, will serve as a summary meeting.

Please indicate your attendance plans by emailing arlene.juracek@illinois.gov

Comment on PACE Financing

Michelle Hickey — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:43:47 GMT

Authored by PACENow.org

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a bipartisan local government initiative that allows property owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for their homes and commercial buildings.

Interested property owners opt‐in to receive financing for improvements that is repaid through an assessment on their property taxes for up to 20 years. PACE financing spreads the cost of energy improvements such as weather sealing, insulation, energy efficient boilers and cooling systems, new windows, and solar installations over the expected life of the measures and allows for the repayment obligation to transfer automatically to the next property owner if the property is sold.

PACE is unique because it:

Creates badly needed local jobs.
Uses private capital, not taxes or government subsidies.
Saves money for building owners and increases property values.
Is voluntary – not a government mandate.
Promotes energy security without driving up energy costs.
Avoids the need to build costly new power plants.
Reduces air pollution.

PACE programs were up and running in several states with 27 others passing enabling legislation, but then the Federal Housing Finance Authority (FHFA) issued a July 6, 2010 statement prohibiting Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and other governmental sponsored enterprises that it regulates from buying residential mortgages with PACE assessments.

The United States District Court in Oakland, CA found that FHFA violated the Federal Administrative Procedures ACT when it issued its statement. FHFA Rulemaking is underway with a 60 day Comment Period beginning January 26, 2012 to March 26, 2012.

To learn more about this topic and how to make a comment, click here to go to PACENow.

Read about Babylon's Long Island Green Homes PACE Program.

Additional Resources