Solar Energy | Three Ps | Dix & Eaton

Solar Bill of Rights Asks for a Lot from All of Us

As industries go, solar power is in a pretty good position. It’s a leading source of renewable energy, it creates jobs, it’s accessible to a wide variety of businesses, communities and people, and it has made no major mistakes along the way.

And, still, it appears to be feeling under-supported and under-appreciated.

How else to explain the existence of the USA Solar Bill of Rights?

Created by the Solar Energy Industries Association, the document outlines eight rights SEIA believes are needed to “create a policy environment that allows solar to compete on a level playing field with fossil fuel sources.” Here they are:
- Americans have the right to put solar on their homes or businesses and local restrictions should not be used to prevent them from doing so.
- Americans have the right to connect their solar energy system to the grid with uniform national interconnection standards.
- Americans have the right to Net Meter and be compensated at the very least with full retail electricity rates for any excess electricity generation.
- The solar industry has the right to a fair competitive environment, which includes federal government subsidies that match any subsidies that have been provided for fossil fuels.
- The solar industry has the right to produce clean energy on public lands. The industry currently has no permits for public lands.
- The solar industry has the right to sell its power across a new, 21st century transmission grid, which would connect areas rich in solar resources with major population centers.
- Americans have the right to buy solar electricity from their utility, which SEIA believes should be required to offer solar power to their customers who want it.
- Americans have the right to – and should expect – the highest ethical treatment from the solar industry, which includes open communications and a commitment to minimize its environmental impact.

Thus far, more than 2,300 people have signed the bill of rights. You can review the bill of rights online and also sign the “Glōbama” petition calling for the Obama Administration to accept Sungevity’s offer to donate and install a comprehensive solar system on the White House.

The industry will probably get more support for its positions over time, and it will need a lot of mainstream and Main Street champions. But this bill of rights? It’s like asking for the sun, moon and stars all at once.

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Coal Outperforms Solar on Wall Street

They are not as well known as the S&P 500, or even the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

But two indexes – the Stowe Global Coal index of 38 coal producers and the Bloomberg Global Leaders Solar index of 38 solar module and component makers – suggest that government support for alternative energy is declining, according to a March 17 report by Bloomberg News.

Bloomberg reported that the coal index has gained 6.5 percent in 2010, while the solar index has dropped 17 percent. Furthermore, the report noted, Peabody Energy Corp, the biggest coal producer, is rated a “buy” by 79 percent of investment analysts, while 44 percent recommend First Solar Inc., the largest maker of thin-film solar panels. This is the largest gap between the two companies in two years. 

Bloomberg said solar companies’ profitability is falling because of competition from China and cuts to state support in Germany and Spain. As a result, the report said, many investors believe solar is too risky and coal is the safer investment.

Ironically, both forms of energy are poised for continued growth. As a result, coal prices are rising, but still remain as much as seven times less expensive per kilowatt-hour than solar power generation, according to sources in the Bloomberg story.

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Enough Energy for Alternative Energy?

Keeping track of activity in the alternative energy space is becoming a full-time job for many people. Following the legislative maneuverings and government incentives. Mingling with 23,500 wind energy folks in Chicago. Interpreting the latest research. And what about energy storage – what happens when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine?

I’ve met with dozens of companies in the wind energy industry and many more organizations still trying to find their way into the supply chain. According to one estimate, more than 530 companies in Ohio alone could become suppliers needed in the manufacture, installation and maintenance of wind turbines. Lots of potential jobs – and lots of potential for confusion and disconnects.

I’ve heard Ohio Sen. Voinovich promote nuclear energy as part of our long-term energy future. And listened to researchers who said nuclear and clean coal won’t last for more than another 20 years.

What’s it all mean? So much information but still light on standards, specifics and clear next steps – sure signs of an industry that’s moving fast but perhaps not sure where it’s going. Do we have what it takes to keep up with alternative energy? Or will we get burned out?

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