An examination of the challenges facing the solar industry in Southeastern states, like Virginia, South Carolina, and Florida, where utilities and governments have largely blocked residents and businesses from tapping their solar resources.
"Florida is one of several states, mostly in the Southeast, that combine copious sunshine with extensive rules designed to block its use by homeowners to generate power," reports Evan Halper.
Moreover, according to Halper, the explanation for the lack solar power, and the industry that supplies the power, might be a troublingly anti-capitalistic (and anti-democratic) one: "While the precise rules vary from state to state, one explanation is the same: opposition from utilities grown nervous by the rapid encroachment of solar firms on their business."
Halper also reports the case made by the protected, non-solar business interests: "Utility officials say the policies inhibiting solar installations result from more than a mere turf battle. Utilities bear the cost of maintaining the power lines, switches and extensive computer networks that make up the electrical grid."
FULL STORY: Rules prevent solar panels in many states with abundant sunlight
Distributed Solar Sparks ‘War of Business Models’
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Household Solar Popularity Builds, As Does Utility Industry Discomfort
Utilities and regulators should be looking forward, not backward, to find ways to invest in progress, rather than trying desperately to cling to yesterday's business model, which is based on encouraging consumption of polluting sources of energy.
BLM Proposes Opening 31 Million Acres of Public Lands to Solar Development
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Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
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How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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