U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Solar Energy Technologies Program
State Technical Outreach
DOE works with four organizations to provide solar information to state governments and utility commissioners to stimulate solar installations such as this 675-kilowatt solar electric system on the roof of the Moscone Convention Center in downtown San Francisco. Through its State Technical Outreach activity, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program provides state policymakers and energy agencies with information and tools to improve state energy programs. The goal of the State Technical Outreach effort is to create more robust solar markets at the state level by removing market barriers that hinder the further development of these programs.
DOE is working with four organizations to provide solar technical information to state governments:
DOE partners with these organizations to support the unique strengths of each organization in providing state lawmakers and regulatory utility commissioners with accurate information about solar energy. DOE also supports these organizations' collaborations on issues that affect both state lawmaker and utility commissioner stakeholder groups.
CEG is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the greater use of clean energy technologies in the United States and abroad through innovations in finance, technology, and policy. As a DOE partner, CEG created the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA), a consortium of states with clean energy funds or programs. CEG/CESA addresses the concerns of state policymakers and regulatory utility commissioners.
CEG/CESA provides these tools and resources:
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This Web site serves as an information clearinghouse for states about DOE's Solar Program, leading state solar programs, relevant publications, conference call presentations, and meeting materials.
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In 2008, CEG published a new state program guide titled Mainstreaming Solar Photovoltaic Electricity Markets: Strategies for States to Build Local Markets. The report is based on previous state surveys and on best practices and innovative programs emerging from state solar programs across the region.
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CEG created a peer network for state solar program staff, the Council of State Governments Energy and Environment Task Force, and state officials and stakeholders from across the country interested in state solar program support. The PV Peer Network holds quarterly conference calls. Currently, 75 members are enrolled.
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Renewable Portfolio Standard Collaborative
CEG is implementing a renewable portfolio collaborative for states interested in promoting renewable energy through renewable portfolio standards (RPS). The RPS collaborative, through conference calls and in-person meetings, is establishing a national dialogue among state policy leaders, DOE, and other major RPS stakeholders to share information and examine opportunities for multistate and federal cooperation in the successful deployment of RPS programs.
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Green Marketing Best Practices for States
CEG is researching best practices for marketing state solar programs. A report is expected to be available in 2009.
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Database of State Renewable Energy Funding
CEG is developing a new database to track and report the results of state support for renewable energy from the use of public benefit funds throughout the United States. The database is expected to be completed in early 2009; it will provide states with examples of the best ways to allocate state funds for state energy programs.
IREC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to moving renewable energy resources into the marketplace. As a DOE partner, IREC provides monitoring and analysis of interconnection and net-metering policies to assist state policymakers and regulatory utility commissioners in designing solar-friendly programs and policies.
IREC provides these tools and resources:
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IREC's Connecting to the Grid program provides services and resources to facilitate the development of interconnection standards and net metering for renewable energy systems and other forms of distributed generation. This page of the IREC Web site serves as an information clearinghouse on interconnection and net-metering issues.
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For more than five years, IREC has worked with state and federal agencies across the United States to bring targeted telephone seminars to stakeholders and other constituents on specific and timely topics. Typically, IREC telephone seminars are free and consist of one or two 30- to 60-minute interactive sessions in which expert speakers lead a discussion on a single subject. IREC typically provides PowerPoint presentations to all participants in advance of the call. A question-and-answer session follows each presentation.
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The DSIRE database is an up-to-date, comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives, laws, and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.
NARUC is an association representing state public service commissioners who regulate essential utility services—such as electricity, gas, telecommunications, water, and transportation—throughout the country. With its DOE funding, NARUC provides its network of regulatory commissioners with up-to-date, accurate information about solar energy to assist them in making informed decisions about solar policies and programs. The goal of NARUC's DOE-funded activities is to engage state decision makers in discussions about the role of solar energy in capacity markets, demand response, and peak shaving. NARUC also works with these decision makers to determine whether those areas are a good fit for solar.
NARUC provides these tools and resources:
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NARUC developed this group to assist state utility commissions and state energy offices in resolving issues related to the incorporation of solar energy technologies into regulatory practices as well as into the marketplace.
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This guide, published by NARUC, is a collection of solar energy resources compiled for state regulators and policymakers. The guide addresses a wide range of topics pertaining to solar technologies and policies, including solar energy potential, interconnection and net-metering standards, RPS, and financial incentive structures.
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Renewable Portfolio Standard Collaborative
NARUC is working with CEG on the Renewable Portfolio Standard Collaborative to bring regulatory utility commissioners into the discussion. The RPS Collaborative is establishing and guiding a comprehensive, nationally-oriented RPS dialogue and facilitating a network of state RPS peers to discuss how states, the federal government, and the regulatory community can effectively ensure the success of existing and new RPS policies.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Feed-in Tariffs
NARUC is writing a guide to address frequently asked questions regarding feed-in tariffs. The target completion date is December 2008.
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Solar Set-Aside and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC) Addendum
NARUC is updating its RPS manual to include information on incorporating solar set-asides and SRECs to effectively promote solar markets.
NCSL is a bipartisan organization that offers a variety of services to help lawmakers tailor policies that will work for their states and their constituents. As a DOE partner, NCSL provides its network of state lawmakers with up-to-date and accurate information about solar energy.
NCSL provides these tools and resources:
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NCSL tracks state solar legislative activity and provides updated bill information in its Energy Policy Database. The database entries include summaries of the bills and last action dates. The database is searchable by keyword, date, topic, and status. NCSL's goal is to become a single source with which legislators and legislative staff can learn about the current status of state solar technologies and standards, research environmental implications and new technologies, and gain access to specific state policy tools with specific legislative language from multiple states that display alternative policy models.
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State Solar Policy Guide
The NCSL is writing an overview for state policymakers on effective solar energy policy options. The target publication date is December 2008.
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