If you wonder why solar in Louisiana is losing the net metering battle to utilities, the reason is lobbying. You can have all your feel-good activist show up in matching t-shirts, or Facebook campaign for an email blitz to the PSC, but unfortunately your efforts are futile. Lobbying (money) wins every time. In a recent study by the Investor Read more about Hey Utilities… Light it or fight it?[…]
For those of you who remember the Wizard of Oz, you certainly remember the line “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain”. This is what the Great and Powerful Wizard kept saying when the curtain was pulled back exposing the man pulling the levers. Very short 45 second refresher clip: http://youtu.be/ubIpoPjBUds In case you didn’t know, Read more about Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain![…]
Look to California for the Green Future Many years ago (14 as of this writing), I converted my hobby of solar power into my business. My team has been able to get hundreds of people powered with solar as a result. When I looked to California for guidance, I realized they had “net-metering” and we didn’t. I immediately wrote legislation in 2003 so that Louisiana could head towards a green Read more about Look to California for the Green Future[…]
Solar for Respire Haiti, Part 2 – The Installation (For Part 1 click here) As we prepared to fly down to Haiti in October 2015, we checked our tools and tried to think of every part we could possibly need for our solar power installation. There would be no second chances or supply houses nearby. The last thing to confirm Read more about Solar for Respire Haiti, Part 2 – The Installation[…]
The systematic shutdown of solar is being coordinated ACROSS THE NATION by state Public Service Commissions. We here in Louisiana think we are being singled out by a vindictive commissioner that drummed up support from a couple of his partners. Actually, this is part of a much bigger national assault being coordinated by the well-funded utilities. Here is Read more about The Systematic Shutdown of Solar[…]
Net Metering killed – It’s All About Control The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) is going to authorize $107,760 for a one time “study” to changing the rules of Net Metering. (We’re calling this Net Metering 2.0) This dollar amount would buy 1,197,333 kilowatt-hours (kwh) of electricity at $.09/kwh. That’s almost 1.2 Megawatts! (I don’t know about you Read more about Net Metering killed – It’s All About Control[…]
Can DEMCO Legally Steal Solar? Can DEMCO Legally Steal Solar? This is the question many people are asking. Any DEMCO homeowners that installed solar after July 13, 2015 have been told that they will no longer get true “net” metering. (NET metering by law is where you are charged for the NET difference between what you Read more about Can DEMCO Legally Steal Solar?[…]
Typically we get the calls in September right after the hottest month in Louisiana, which is August. They start by announcing “I want to get off the grid!” 99% of these people actually mean something totally different than what they are saying. When we ask them why they typically say “I just got my August electric bill in and Read more about I Want to Get Off the Grid![…]
They’ve Done it Now – Entergy Ends Net Metering in LA by Jeff Shaw 11/25/15 As quietly as possible, in a 1:30 PM afternoon email on the day before Thanksgiving, Entergy announces that they will no longer give full credit for solar power returned to them from solar customers. The change takes place on January 1, Read more about Entergy Ends Net Metering in LA[…]
Updated 10/22/15 It is official. (Signed by the governor on 6/19/15) (originally posted here 6/17/15) 1. HB779 is law – The systems installed after 7/1/15 may get a maximum $10k tax credit (down from $12,500). “May” is because of #2. 2. The annual tax credit is capped at $10 million per fiscal year for systems sold that calendar year. There is Read more about Update on the 2015 Solar Tax Credit Changes[…]
The Louisiana Solar Tour 2015 By Jeff Shaw Everyone that took the Louisiana Solar Tour 2015 seemed to love it. Our Louisiana Solar Energy Society (LSES) tour was held in conjunction with the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) National Solar Tour. This makes 15th year that Louisiana homes have been open for the “solar curious” and “solar wanna-be’s” to connect Read more about The Louisiana Solar Tour 2015[…]
In 2008, the 50% state tax credit kick-started the solar industry in Louisiana. It made solar affordable for the average Joe and changed the way people thought about investing in solar energy. Before 2008, there were many people investing in solar for the RIGHT reasons; environmental, sustainability, battery backup for emergencies, rising cost of electricity, peace Read more about How the State Tax Credit Ruined Solar in Louisiana[…]
OutBack Power Introduces Skybox Advanced Energy Management and Storage Platform for Residential, Light Commercial Applications OutBack Power Technologies, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of advanced renewable energy systems and products, announced Skybox, a true hybrid energy management and storage platform, scheduled to debut in January 2016. Skybox unlocks the potential of the next generation of Read more about Outback Power Introduces Skybox[…]
What Every New Solar Owner Should Know How do you interpret your new utility bill and your overall system output once you get solar? You might think you know, but read through these tips to make sure. NET-METERING and your bill 1. Once you have your net-meter installed in place of your regular meter, the Read more about What Every New Solar Owner Should Know[…]
Solar for Respire Haiti – Part 1 – by Jeff Shaw I am excited to announce that the Gulf South Solar team is now officially scheduled to head down to Haiti on 9/21/15 to install solar. This is a trip that has been in the works for many years but the timing couldn’t be more perfect Read more about Solar for Respire Haiti – Part 1[…]