Austin Energy Raises Fuel Charges

http://austin.ynn.com/content/top_stories/282187/austin-energy-increases-fuel-charge

Jim Young
512-565-7509
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First Solar Sells California Solar Farm to MidAmerican Energy - WSJ.com

First Solar Sells California Solar Farm to MidAmerican Energy - WSJ.com

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203413304577084171694555562.html

Jim Young
512-565-7509
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Solar Powered KB Homes Offer Big Savings Opportunity for Homebuyers

Solar Energy News: Solar Powered KB Homes Offer Big Savings Opportunity for Homebuyers

Read it online: http://www.esolarenergynews.com/2011/11/solar-powered-kb-homes-offer-big.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FNrBn+%28Solar+Energy+News%29&m=1

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Jim Young
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$1B-plus solar power project gets private funding

A California-based solar company announced Tuesday that it has lined up enough private financing to begin what it says will be the largest residential solar photovoltaic project in U.S. history -- powering as many as 120,000 military housing units.

 

SolarCity sought a loan guarantee last year from the U.S. Department of Energy to finance part of its five-year, $1 billion-plus plan to install, own and operate rooftop solar panels for privatized U.S. military housing communities nationwide. DOE offered a conditional commitment Sept. 7 but couldn't finalize the loan before its 1705 program expired Sept. 30. The DOE program has been scrutinized after lending a half-billion dollars to now bankrupt solar manufacturer Solyndra.

 

SolarCity, based in San Mateo, Calif., didn't give up. It continued to work with the Bank of America, Merrill Lynch to attract private investors for its SolarStrong project, receiving advice from equity firm US Renewables Group.

 

Link Here to Full Story:

 

Jim Young

President

Solar Capital Group, LLC

512-565-7509

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Georgia’s Largest Solar Canopy for Laredo Bus Facility

Solar Energy News: Suniva Powers Georgia's Largest Solar Canopy for Laredo Bus Facility

Read it online: http://www.esolarenergynews.com/2011/11/suniva-powers-georgias-largest-solar.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FNrBn+%28Solar+Energy+News%29&m=1

Jim Young
512-565-7509
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Energy Incentives For Fossil Fuels Dwarf Incentives For Renewables

Article below taken from “Solar Industry” newsletter. http://bit.ly/sDIbzd

My comment (Jim Young): Several years ago, when I met with a financial planner, he pitched an investment to me that included a sizeable tax benefit component. Was it a solar rebate or tax credit? Nope. It was an immediate deduction based on my investment for “Intangible Drilling Costs”. While I often hear questions about the viability of renewable energy to stand on it’s own feet, , without subsidies; I am amazed that the average person is not aware that despite 100 years of lead time, the oil industry is STILL operating with the benefits of similar subsidies. I’m all for both subsidies in fact, and am glad that the there are programs to incentivize investment in energy creation of whatever type. Even as a solar proponent, I don’t have an issue with the passing along of oil energy subsidies. But, let’s be clear.  Oil isn’t without it subsidies. Also, as a military friend of mine just pointed out, the United States has never had to position a Naval battle group to secure our steady supply of solar panels.

 

 

An updated study on federal energy incentives confirms that the main beneficiaries of more than $800 billion of federal energy incentives over the past six decades have been the oil and natural-gas industries, according to Management Information Services Inc. (MISI).The company found that the oil and natural-gas industries together garnered 60% of federal incentives between 1950 and 2010, with 44% of the roughly $837 billion in federal support going to the oil sector.The report shows that the oil industry has benefited from $369 billion in combined incentives, with natural-gas receiving $121 billion. The study updates earlier MISI research that analyzed federal energy incentives from 1950 to 2006.The MISI study also shows that, contrary to some claims, federal energy incentives have not gone to nuclear energy technologies at the expense of solar energy and other renewable energy sources. In fact, the incentives are roughly equal. Of the total incentives provided since 1950, nuclear energy has received 9% ($73 billion), while renewable energy also has received 9% ($74 billion). Coal and hydroelectric energy sources, meanwhile, have received 12% ($104 billion) and 11% ($90 billion) of the total, respectively.

The report identifies six categories of incentives: tax policy, regulation, research and development (R&D) funding, market activity, government services and disbursements."Tax policy has been, by far, the most widely used form of incentive mechanism, accounting for $325 billion (45 percent) of all federal expenditures since 1950," the report states. "The oil and gas industries, for example, receive percentage depletion and intangible drilling provisions as an incentive for exploration and development. Federal tax credits and deductions have also been utilized to encourage the use of renewable energy." Federally funded regulation and R&D funding, at about 20% each, are the second- and third-largest incentives, MISI says. Since 1988, federal spending on nuclear energy R&D has been less than spending on coal research and, since 1994, has been less than spending on renewable energy research.

R&D expenditures for nuclear, coal and renewables expanded greatly after 1975, but this increase was especially marked for coal and renewables, MISI says. Between 1976 and 2006, the federal government spent more than five times as much on coal R&D ($26.1 billion) as it had in the previous quarter century, and more than 10 times as much on wind and solar R&D ($17.3 billion).

"The common perception that federal energy incentives have favored nuclear energy at the expense of renewable energy such as wind and solar is not supported by the findings of this study," says Roger Bezdek, president of MISI.

"With concern about the price and availability of energy increasing, public interest in the role of federal incentives in shaping today's energy marketplace and future energy options has risen sharply," Bezdek adds. "That interest has met with frustration in some quarters and half-truths in others because of the difficulty in developing a complete picture of the incentives that influence today's energy options. "The difficulty arises from the many forms of incentives, the variety of ways in which they are funded, managed and monitored, and changes in the agencies responsible for administering them," he continues. "It is no simple matter to identify incentives and track them through year-to-year changes in legislation and budgets over the 60-plus years that federal incentives have been a significant part of the modern energy marketplace."An updated study on federal energy incentives confirms that the main beneficiaries of more than $800 billion of federal energy incentives over the past six decades have been the oil and natural-gas industries, according to Management Information Services Inc. (MISI).

 

The company found that the oil and natural-gas industries together garnered 60% of federal incentives between 1950 and 2010, with 44% of the roughly $837 billion in federal support going to the oil sector. The report shows that the oil industry has benefited from $369 billion in combined incentives, with natural-gas receiving $121 billion. The study updates earlier MISI research that analyzed federal energy incentives from 1950 to 2006. The MISI study also shows that, contrary to some claims, federal energy incentives have not gone to nuclear energy technologies at the expense of solar energy and other renewable energy sources. In fact, the incentives are roughly equal. Of the total incentives provided since 1950, nuclear energy has received 9% ($73 billion), while renewable energy also has received 9% ($74 billion). Coal and hydroelectric energy sources, meanwhile, have received 12% ($104 billion) and 11% ($90 billion) of the total, respectively.

 

The report identifies six categories of incentives: tax policy, regulation, research and development (R&D) funding, market activity, government services and disbursements. "Tax policy has been, by far, the most widely used form of incentive mechanism, accounting for $325 billion (45 percent) of all federal expenditures since 1950," the report states. "The oil and gas industries, for example, receive percentage depletion and intangible drilling provisions as an incentive for exploration and development. Federal tax credits and deductions have also been utilized to encourage the use of renewable energy."

 

And now, the article. :

 

Federally funded regulation and R&D funding, at about 20% each, are the second- and third-largest incentives, MISI says. Since 1988, federal spending on nuclear energy R&D has been less than spending on coal research and, since 1994, has been less than spending on renewable energy research.

 

R&D expenditures for nuclear, coal and renewables expanded greatly after 1975, but this increase was especially marked for coal and renewables, MISI says. Between 1976 and 2006, the federal government spent more than five times as much on coal R&D ($26.1 billion) as it had in the previous quarter century, and more than 10 times as much on wind and solar R&D ($17.3 billion).

 

"The common perception that federal energy incentives have favored nuclear energy at the expense of renewable energy such as wind and solar is not supported by the findings of this study," says Roger Bezdek, president of MISI.

 

"With concern about the price and availability of energy increasing, public interest in the role of federal incentives in shaping today's energy marketplace and future energy options has risen sharply," Bezdek adds. "That interest has met with frustration in some quarters and half-truths in others because of the difficulty in developing a complete picture of the incentives that influence today's energy options.

 

"The difficulty arises from the many forms of incentives, the variety of ways in which they are funded, managed and monitored, and changes in the agencies responsible for administering them," he continues. "It is no simple matter to identify incentives and track them through year-to-year changes in legislation and budgets over the 60-plus years that federal incentives have been a significant part of the modern energy marketplace."

 

http://bit.ly/oilsubsidies

 

 

Jim Young

President

Solar Capital Group, LLC

512-565-7509

Follow Us: facebook.com/solarcapitalgroup

News & Blog: http://solarcapitalgroup.blogspot.com

 

Solar on the Mountain Top- Photos of Our Newest Project

Solar Capital Group excited to share pictures with you from the installation of the 100kw system at Mountain Top church in Las Vegas, NV. The system includes both rooftop and parking lot structures.

 

We are excited to work on these larger projects, and look forward to more.

Please feel free to check out our BLOG, sign up for the blog updates by email/RSS. 

 

Click the Picture Below for Slideshow of the Mountain Top project.

 

 

Link Broke: cut & paste into your browser: http://www.flickr.com/photos/69110848@N04/sets/72157627858453547/show/

 

Jim Young

President

Solar Capital Group, LLC

512-565-7509

Follow Us: facebook.com/solarcapitalgroup

 

Solar Employment Soars as U.S. Economy Lags

Solar Energy News: National Solar Jobs Census Finds Solar Employment Soars as U.S. Economy Lags

Read it online: http://www.esolarenergynews.com/2011/10/national-solar-jobs-census-finds-solar.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FNrBn+%28Solar+Energy+News%29&m=1

Jim Young
President
SCG

Pentagon Energy Security Forum-

From Jim Young: As a former Army Officer, and soldier who worked with M1A1 tanks, I enjoyed this speech by the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the Department of Defense’s efforts to conserve energy use. (speech below).

 

Pentagon Energy Security Forum

 

As Delivered by Gen. Martin Dempsey , The Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Tuesday, October 18, 2011

“I heard Secretary Hammack tell you I’m an armor officer by background which means that I was probably among—I’d have to check whether I’m right about this with the Navy, but I was probably among the most energy consumptive hogs that ever walked the face—you know the M1 tank, two gallons to the mile. You know the drill.

So. Thank you Katherine for that kind introduction. And to you and Secretary Burke and Dr. Robyn for leading the efforts here to encourage us to think differently about energy and how energy relates to our security.

As a student of literature and history, I feel obliged to note that 160 years ago today, Herman Melville’s classic, Moby Dick, was first introduced to the public.

No, you’re not in the wrong place and I’m not here to give you a lecture about the nuances Herman Melville’s work, Moby Dick. So what connection does your presence here today have to this great American novel?

In a word, energy. Ishmael, Captain Ahab and the crew of the fictional ship Pequod were part of a global industry largely dedicated to one thing – the pursuit of a critical source of energy … and at that time, of course, whale oil.    

 

And 160 years later, some things just haven’t changed. We’re still engaged in a nearly, in a seemingly endless energy and quest for the pursuit of energy.

 

So, let me make this point up front: improving our energy security directly translates to improving our national security.  

 

It will be essential to keeping our military the most effective, the finest fighting force in the world. And, it is inherent to our responsibilities as good stewards of the nation’s resources. Without improving our energy security, we are not merely standing still as a military or as a Nation, we are falling behind.

As a division commander in Iraq, energy management determined my ability to maneuver operationally. And having spent decades living and working on military installations, I know full well the powerful impact that conservation can have on our bottom line.

The Department’s “energy culture” has changed markedly, dramatically really, since I was a young Army armor officer and that’s a very good thing. 

 

Today Americans are more energy conscious in our homes and at work and so too are we in our military. But, we can and must do even better – particularly in pushing progress out to the field, to the flightline and into the fleet. Today’s warfighters require more energy than at any time in the past and that requirement is not likely to decline.

 

During World War II, supporting one soldier on the battlefield took one gallon of fuel per day. Today, we use over 22 gallons per day, per soldier. We’re also more expeditionary than ever. These energy needs require a vast yet vulnerable supply chain that our enemies target.

But to enhance our energy security, we must look beyond vulnerabilities and instead, focus on and view energy as an opportunity.

 

And the opportunity is vast. Energy spans every activity and corner of the department.

In the air, jet fuel equates to on-station and loiter time. At sea, marine fuel consumption rates impact operating and transit speeds. On the ground, energy requirements often drive how long soldiers can stay out on patrol and how many resupply convoys we have to put at risk on the road to support them.

I’ll give you one example of that. For a 72-hour mission, today’s infantry platoon carries 400 pounds of batteries to power their equipment – night vision devices, communication gear, global positioning systems and flash lights … 400 pounds of batteries per platoon – that’s per 30 men – for a 72-hour mission.

As some have observed only jokingly, if you want to find a US Army patrol in Afghanistan, simply follow the trail of batteries and you will eventually come upon them. Now, that platoon is also more capable than ever. That’s a good thing. I don’t want them to ever have to face a fair fight. But, we need to lighten the energy load of each warfighter—and the physical weight and resupply that it entails.

 

Fortunately, some new technologies that Sharon and others have championed are already making a difference. They include solar panels, micro grid systems and high capacity batteries. I will do everything I can as Chairman to support these innovations, and to get the right emerging technologies into our troops’ hands as soon as possible.

Because fundamentally we know that saving energy saves lives. In Afghanistan, fewer supply convoys will directly relate to fewer casualties. And it’s not only about defense, meaning defense of operations. Units with greater range and agility, with more warriors engaged in the mission rather than resupply, will ultimately result in “more tooth, and less tail.” That’s great news for us and even worse news to our adversaries.

This is why I am committed to the goals set forth in the Department’s first-ever Operational Energy Strategy—goals that include reducing energy demand at all levels of our forces while increasing the resilience and operational effectiveness of our equipment and our soldiers.

As Chairman, I’m particularly focused on looking beyond current requirements to what the force will need to look like in about a decade. Some of you have heard me speak about Joint Force 2020. Well, in the coming months, you will hear me talking even more about Joint Force 2020 … and energy efficiency and energy availability must be part of that equation.

We’re already making progress as I’ve said. We’ve designed more fuel efficient Ground Combat Vehicles; installed hybrid systems on some Naval ships; and invested in fuel cells to provide backup power to military installations and I know the Army is running a pilot on three installations right now to get at a net zero baseline for energy consumption. 

 

These are important steps. But, as I said, more must be done. And it must be done not as individual services, but must be done jointly.   And I’m counting on the people in this room to get it done.

One of those people is Lieutenant General Brooks Bash, my Director of Logistics on the Joint Staff. And I don’t know where you are Brooks, but would you stand up so we can see you and hold you accountable for whatever we do in the future.  [laughter] Let’s give Brooks a round of applause. [applause]

And actually, I haven’t been Chairman long enough to have given each of my directors their sort of marching orders so this is an opportunity for me to do that and Brooks, you now know how much I care about the future of energy in the Joint force and I’ll be counting on you as my point man in this arena.

 

Finally, let me touch on the budgetary realities we face. Secretary Panetta has very been clear that we must scrutinize every single area of our operations. Nothing is off the table and that includes investment and wise investment in energy and technology.

Yet energy advances are unique in the opportunities they afford. Traditionally, we must spend money to increase capability. Here, we may have the opportunity to increase capability and save money, at least that is what we ought to aspire.

Systems that pay for themselves in days or weeks or months delight both the warfighter and the comptroller. There are some energy wins out there right now and we need to go after them.  

 

What you’re doing here today is vitally important for our future. Whenever our forces go into harm’s way, they must have the best tools possible. And improving our energy security can help us do that and we really don’t have the time to waste.

 

So I thank you for your presence here today, for your participation and I look forward to the outcomes, deliverables and implementation of the best of ideas as we go forward. Thank you very much. [applause]

                                                                                                                                ***

 

Jim Young

President

Solar Capital Group, LLC

512-565-7509

Follow Us: facebook.com/solarcapitalgroup

 

SCG Lands at SPI

US Military To Invest $10B in Renewables

Solar Energy News: U.S. Military to Invest $10 Billion Annually in Renewable Energy by 2030, According to Pike Research 

Read it online:http://www.esolarenergynews.com/2011/10/us-military-to-invest-10-billion.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FNrBn+%28Solar+Energy+News%29&m=1 


Jim Young

Extending 1603 Grant Creates 37,000 Jobs

Extending Treasury Cash-Grant Program Would Support Thousands Of Solar Jobs (Link Here)

A one-year extension of the Section 1603 cash-grant program from the U.S. Department of the Treasury would create an additional 37,000 solar jobs in 2012, according to a new report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and market research firm EuPD Research.

The report examined projected job growth and solar deployment associated with a one-year extension of the program, which is set to expire at the end of this year. SEIA and EuPD Research found that a one-year extension would result in nearly 2,000 additional MW of solar installations above baseline by 2016.

An additional 37,394 jobs would be supported by the solar energy industry in 2012 - a 12% increase over baseline: 18,000 people would be directly employed by solar companies or indirectly employed by firms that support the solar sector, and an additional 19,000 jobs would be induced by the industry's economic activity.

The additional cumulative capacity installed (2012-2016) would be about 2,000 MW over baseline, enough to power 400,000 homes. According to the report, 500 additional MW above baseline would be installed in 2012. The study also analyzed scenarios for two-year and five-year extensions of the program.

The program was created in 2009 in the wake of the financial crisis, which drastically reduced the availability of tax-equity financing for energy projects. It allows energy developers to receive a federal grant in lieu of claiming an existing energy tax credit. The program does not create any new incentives, but instead simply accelerates the timing of the existing credit, SEIA explains.

According to SEIA, the state of the financial markets and the availability of tax equity are still woefully inadequate to meet demand for renewable energy projects.

"At a time when President Obama and Congress are looking for solutions for America's jobs crisis, it would be unconscionable to allow this proven job-creating program to expire," says SEIA President and CEO Rhone Resch. "Killing the 1603 program amounts to a tax increase on the thousands of small businesses that are creating jobs in solar."

Higher Education Institutions With Largest Solar Photovoltaic Installations

Solar Energy News: Santa Clara University Makes Top Ten List of Higher Education Institutions With Largest Solar Photovoltaic Installations

Read it online: http://www.esolarenergynews.com/2011/10/santa-clara-university-makes-top-ten.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FNrBn+%28Solar+Energy+News%29&m=1

Forwarding Webpage SolarIndustryMag.com: Content / Projects & Contracts / REC Solar Completes Installation For Nestlé Purina PetCare

PetFood Industry gets OnBoard With Large Solar Array:

SolarIndustryMag.com: Content / Projects & Contracts / REC Solar Completes Installation For Nestlé Purina PetCare

Read it online: http://www.solarindustrymag.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.8875

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Jim Young
SCG

bizjournals mobile: Austin: SolarBridge receives $1.75M grant

http://www.bizjournals.com/mobile/austin/blog/abje_news/2011/10/solarbridge-receives-175m-grant.html

Jim Young
512-565-7509
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1603 Controversy

Full Article: http://files.cecollect.com/511/1042/irs_treatment_of_excessive_1603_payments.pdf

Hunton Williams law firm writes of IRS audits surrounding some 1603 Grants.

Jim Young
SCG

499 kw- Arlington Record Breaker!

Solar Capital Group Funds 499 Kw PV Project In Arlington – A City Record

Arlington, TX (9/11/11) — Right Choice Industrial Automation

(RCIAC) announced it has been awarded a contract for the

construction of just under 500 kilowatts of solar photovoltaics on

a pair of apartment complexes in Arlington, Texas. This paired

project includes a 205 kilowatt solar system at Brandon Oaks

Apartments, and a 294 kilowatt system at Spanish Oaks

Apartments. The site is near East Park Row & Hwy 360. Each complex has approximately 200

rental units. According to an Arlington city official, this project will constitute the largest solar

installation in that community.

Austin Based TREIA Member, Solar Capital Group, LLC provided consulting and capital for

the project. “We are excited to help independent Texas firms compete with the national big

boys,” said President Jim Young. Oncor is providing a substantial rebate which will cover a

significant portion of the $3M system cost. Young’s firm provides capital in exchange for the

rebates.

As a result of funding by Solar Capital Group, six additional contractors were hired for the

Arlington job contributing to the local jobs economy. Those contractors will employ workers in

various types of positions, including electricians and welders, with pay ranging from $8-$25 an

hour.

 

Dallas Business Journal Article Here – Link-

 

Jim Young

President

Solar Capital Group, LLC

512-565-7509

Follow Us: facebook.com/solarcapitalgroup