SOLAR: Mississippi’s two regulated electric companies push back against state regulators’ new rule that expands incentives for customers to install solar panels and other renewable energy systems. (Mississippi Today)
ALSO:• A 317 MW solar farm that will be Texas’ second largest solar energy facility takes shape west of Houston. (KHOU)• A North Carolina solar business announces it is closing after a news report about disgruntled customers, reported problems with its equipment supplier and a drop in sales. (WRAL)
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POLITICS:• US Senator Joe Manchin collects at least one Republican vote and one Democratic vote for his energy permitting reform bill, although many Republicans say they will vote against it to deny Manchin a victory after his support for a climate spending package. (West Virginia Public Broadcasting, WRKN)• U.S. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia opposes a provision that would force the completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline in a federal reform bill that would allow energy, saying “it could open the door to serious abuse and even corruption.” (Virginia Mercury)• Candidates for a Louisiana regulatory board seat representing one of the districts hardest hit by Hurricane Ida debate energy affordability, infrastructure and net metering.(Louisiana Illuminator)
ELECTRIC VEHICLE:• Korean media reports that Kia is accelerating plans to make electric vehicles at a Georgia factory so it can access federal tax credits it can’t claim until it starts making vehicles in North America . (Reuters)• Georgia will receive $130 million in federal funds to build electric vehicle chargers along two interstates. (WMAZ)
EMISSIONS: An environmental data company announces it has used satellites to detect the smallest offshore methane emission ever seen from space on an oil and gas platform off the coast of Louisiana, thus increasing the potential for much stricter emissions tracking. (NOLA.com)
CARBON CAPTURE: A Louisiana parish council unanimously passes a resolution asking state and federal officials to freeze permits for carbon capture projects after previously passing a moratorium on the technology until better regulations are developed. (The Lawyer)
CLIMATE:• As Louisiana faces up to $31 billion a year in storm damage from rising seas, federal and state officials indicate they are likely to approve a more than $2 billion project to divert water and sediment from the Mississippi River to build new wetlands. . (NOLA.com)• Florida city leaders and energy officials prepare power grid and stormwater drainage systems for hurricanes. (WTVT)
TRANSITION: A new poll from a housing collaborative shows Louisianans are reluctant to make a big switch from oil and gas to renewables because they think elected leaders have “sold their souls to the oil companies” and will fail to diversify the state’s economy. (WWNO)
UTILITIES:• Appalachian Power names new president and chief operating officer. (WSET)• Residents in Florida and Louisiana express frustration with rising electricity bills. (WFLA, KLFY)
COMMENTARY:• A Virginia editor opens up the procedure and politics behind Manchin’s legislative bid to force the completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline by incorporating the approval into a spending bill. (Cardinal News)• A columnist asks how Republican Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin will respond to a requirement to draft a plan to transition to a net-zero carbon energy economy by 2045. (Virginia Mercury)
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Mason has been working as a journalist since 2001, covering Appalachian communities and the issues that affect them. He compiles the South East Energy News digest. Mason previously worked as a wildlife biologist before breaking into journalism by freelancing at Coast Weekly in Monterey, California, before landing an internship in 2001 at High Country News. He wrote for the Mountaineer Enterprise in western North Carolina and the Roanoke Times in West Virginia before going freelance in 2012. His work has appeared in Southerly, Daily Yonder, Mother Jones, Huffington Post, WVPB’s Inside Appalachia and elsewhere. Mason was born and raised in Clifton Forge, Virginia, and now lives with his family and a small herd of goats in Floyd County, Virginia.
Does solar panels increase home insurance?
You may not see an increase in your home insurance premium after installing solar panels on your roof. On the same subject : Why are we not using solar energy ?. However, you will likely need to raise your coverage limits to account for the cost of replacing your solar panels, which will likely result in some increase in your premium.
Will solar panels raise your insurance? Will installing solar panels increase my insurance premium? Moreover, your home insurance premium will increase as you add solar panels to your home and coverage. Primarily, this is because solar panels are still quite expensive, and increasing the cost of replacement is likely to increase your coverage limit.
How much does solar Add to homeowners insurance?
So, how much does home insurance cost with solar panels? On average, homeowners see their rates increase by about 20% when they add solar panels to their homes. This may interest you : How solar energy is stored ?. This may not seem like much, but it can add up to hundreds of dollars a year.
Does solar panels affect your house insurance?
Yes, your solar panels are probably covered by your home insurance. As long as your solar panels are attached to your home, they are covered under the dwelling portion of your homeowners policy.
Is it harder to sell a house with solar panels?
How Do Solar Panels Affect Home Resale Value? A number of studies have shown the positive impact that solar panels have on the resale value of the home. According to a recent Zillow report, homes with solar panels sell for an average of 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar across the United States.
Do solar panels hurt the resale value of your home?
Installing solar panels in a home not only helps to reduce the current monthly utility bills; can potentially increase home value by up to 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar panels, according to recent solar research conducted by Zillow – or an additional $9,274 for the median home value in the United States.
How much faster can I sell my house with solar panels?
The little research that has been done focuses on California, the US state that has led the solar revolution for more than 17 years. So what does the research tell us? In short, it says that houses with solar panels can sell between 20% and more than 100% faster than those without.
Do solar panels make house harder to sell?
According to a recent Zillow report, homes with solar panels sell for an average of 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar across the United States. A study conducted by Berkeley Lab, also found that homes with solar panels tend to sell faster than those without.
What is the downside to solar energy?
| Advantages of Solar Energy | Disadvantages of Solar Energy |
|---|---|
| Reduces Electricity Bills | Weather Dependent |
| Various Applications | Solar Energy Storage is expensive |
| Low Maintenance Costs | Uses A Lot Of Space |
| Technology Development | Associated with Pollution |
What is the main disadvantage of solar panels?
High upfront cost The high upfront cost is one of the biggest disadvantages of solar panel systems. As of January 2022, the average cost of solar in the United States is about $3.00 per watt. So, a 6 kW solar panel system will run you about $18,000, on average, before the federal tax credit is applied.
What are the 2 main disadvantages of solar energy?
Disadvantages of Solar Energy
- Cost. The initial cost of purchasing a solar system is quite high. …
- Weather dependent. Although solar energy can still be collected during cloudy and rainy days, the efficiency of the solar system decreases. …
- Solar Energy Storage Is Expensive. …
- Uses A Lot Of Space. …
- Associated with Pollution.
Do solar panels work in rain?
Photovoltaic panels can use direct or indirect sunlight to generate power, although they are most effective in direct sunlight. The solar panels will still work even when the light is reflected or partially blocked by clouds. Rain actually helps keep your panels operating efficiently by washing away any dust or dirt.
What happens when it rains on solar panels? When it rains, the solar panels continue to generate electricity from the force of the rain falling on their surface. Compared to sunny days, rainy days have 90 percent less sunlight. With less sunlight, solar panels produce an equal reduction in electricity.
Do solar panels work on cloudy or rainy days?
Yes, solar panels can work on cloudy and rainy days, but not always at their best. Their efficiency depends on the level of cloud coverage. Anything that blocks sunlight from solar panels can reduce their energy output, including clouds, fog and shade from trees.
Do solar panels produce electricity on cloudy days?
DAY IMPJEB TO OVERCOME SOLAR ENERGY GENERATION? Anyone who has been sunburned on a cloudy day knows that solar radiation penetrates clouds. For that same reason, solar panels can still produce electricity on cloudy days.
Is solar panel OK in rain?
The solar panels are waterproof, so moisture will not harm them. And, in fact, the rain is helpful as it will wash away some of the dirt and debris that accumulates on the panels over time.
How efficient are solar panels in the rain?
Solar PV System Efficiency and Rain On cloudy or rainy days, photovoltaic panels can produce anywhere between 10-25% of their optimal capacity. The exact amount will vary depending on how dark and heavy the rain is and the cloud cover over the land.
Does solar energy help global warming?
Solar energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions Generating electricity with solar energy instead of fossil fuels can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide ( CO2). Greenhouse gases, which are produced when fossil fuels are burned, lead to rising global temperatures and climate change.
How much do solar panels help with climate change? According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, when you produce about 1000 kWh of electricity using solar panels, you reduce emissions by more than 1,400 pounds of carbon dioxide. Other gases include 8 pounds of sulfur dioxide and 5 pounds of nitrogen oxides.
Is solar energy really environmentally friendly?
Solar is One of the Cleanest Energy Sources Available Today As the influence and impact of solar energy grows, scientists and manufacturers around the world actively aspire to create technology of even better and more sustainable solar energy. Solar energy is one of the most environmentally friendly energy sources.
Is solar energy actually good for the environment?
As a renewable energy source, solar energy plays an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, which is critical for protecting humans, wildlife and ecosystems. Solar energy can also improve air quality and reduce water use from energy production.
Why is solar energy not a good choice for the environment?
Main arguments against solar panels are that they require more energy and fossil fuel burning equipment for mining, manufacturing and transportation than they save. Another argument is that in the manufacturing process toxic chemicals are used that do more harm than good.
Can you build a house in California without solar panels?
In 2018, California created a mandate that new single-family homes and multi-family residences up to three stories must install solar panels. The California solar mandate went into effect on January 1, 2020, and is part of the California building code.
Why don’t most people have solar panels on their homes? Why Doesn’t Everyone Have a Solar Home? Once solar technology became efficient enough to reliably generate enough power for the average consumer homeowner, solar adoption exploded in 2008. This rapid growth is the primary reason that most homes in California have not gone solar.
Do new build houses require solar panels?
All new houses built today are required to include energy saving measures such as Solar PV, in order to be self-sufficient and pass the SAP calculations.
Are solar panels compulsory on new buildings in UK?
It is against the law to rent or sell a property without an EPC rating, so it is essential that all new builds pass the SAP rating. Adding solar panels is an easy way to pass these new measures, with only a few panels needed to meet the regulations.
Will solar panels become mandatory?
California’s 2020 Solar Mandate requires all newly constructed homes to install solar photovoltaic systems. These requirements are based on the floor area of the home and the climate zone. There may be exceptions to the mandate, such as a property that is too dark or has too small a roof to install solar panels.
What can I do instead of solar panels?
The best alternatives to solar panels. There are several alternative ways to benefit from the sun without installing a rooftop system in your home. Some of the best options are community solar, solar shingles, heat pumps, ground mounted solar panels, and solar sheds or carports.
Can I get solar energy without panels?
What is the alternative source of solar energy?
The three sources of alternative energy with the highest percentages are: Hydroelectric energy amounts to 1,172 GW, which is about half of the total amount. Onshore and offshore wind power comes second with 564 GW. The solar energy capacity is slightly less – 480 GW, divided between solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy.
What is a better alternative to solar panels?
Currently, the most popular renewable energy sources are: Solar energy. Wind energy. Hydroelectric power.