New solar job statistics published, are but other renewables grow, to

Washngton, D.C. non-profit The Solar Foundation just released its National Solar Jobs Census 2013, whichis the fourth annual update of current employment and projected growth in the United States solar industry. Their data for Census 2013 is derived from a statistically valid sampling and comprehensive survey of 15,437 employers throughout the nation.

The Foundation’s conclusion: “Our research shows that solar industry employment has grown by an astonishing 53 percent — or nearly 50,000 new solar jobs — since we first started tracking them in 2010. Leading this growth are businesses in the installation sector, in which solar employment has grown by nearly 60 percent over the four-year period covered by the Census series, representing more than 25,000 jobs created in the sector since 2010.”

As of November 2013, the solar industry has grown to 142,698 solar workers, which is nearly 20 percent greater than the 2012 solar jobs figures and over ten times the growth that the overall U.S. economy experienced during that same time. Over the next 12 months, nearly 45 percent of solar establishments expect to add jobs, while less than 1.9 percent expect to cut workers, yielding an expected 15.6 percent growth in employment.

The study goes on to say:

Solar jobs increased nearly 20 percent since the fall of 2012, which is ten times the national average job growth rate. There are 142,698 solar workers in the United States, up from 119,016 in 2012. Not only did the industry exceed growth expectations, but the hiring pace has quickened, at a rate 50 percent higher than last year, suggesting that the trajectory for growth is even stronger than previously expected. Seventy-seven percent of the nearly 24,000 new solar workers are new jobs (rather than existing positions that have added solar responsibilities), representing 18,211 new jobs created. Since data were collected for Census 2012, one in every 142 new jobs in the U.S. were created by the solar industry.

Solar employment is expected to grow by 15.6 percent over the next year, representing the addition of approximately 22,240 new solar workers. Forty-five percent of all solar establishments expect to have added solar employees by November 2014.

Two-thirds of new solar hires are living-wage installation jobs. Installers added the most solar workers over the past year, growing by 22 percent, an increase of 12,500 workers. Installer jobs, which cannot be outsourced and earn an average of $23.63 per hour, are expected to increase nearly 15,000 next year. This represents a 21 percent year-over-year growth rate. And the report notes that, ”Nineteen percent of all solar workers are women, representing 26,738 solar workers, and one in six solar workers is Latino or Hispanic. With 13,192 U.S. veterans working at solar establishments across the United States, the solar industry is also exceeding the percentage of veterans employed in the broader U.S. workforce.

Solar is not the only clean energy job creator.

Wind: According to a 2012 American Wind Energy Association report, the number of wind-related jobs in the U.S. at the end of 2012, across fields such as development, siting, construction, transportation, manufacturing, operations, services reached 80,700. According to some other 2012 sources, there are 75,000 jobs across the wind industry,

Iowa ranked number one with their significant new wind capacity installed during 2011. Texas, the state with the most wind capacity installed, took the number two spot for wind employment with its continued growth in new wind capacity, established manufacturing.

Illinois, driven by one of the strongest levels of new wind installations during 2011 as well as a strong manufacturing sector, took the number three spot for wind industry employment in 2011. Ohio moved into the number four spot in 2011 with its strong base of wind manufacturing and supply chain jobs, which are now combined with new development and construction jobs. And "Colorado ranked number five in the nation, with an increasing number of manufacturing jobs in the state as well as large installation in the third quarter.”

The Environment Energy Study Institute(EESI) publishes a job fact sheet, and some highlights include:

Hydropower: Navigant Consulting estimated 200,000-300,000 direct jobs currently in the hydropower industry. This estimate assumes 2-3 full-time equivalents per megawatt (MW) to maintain, operate, and license compliance for the existing 100,000-MW fleet.

Geothermal: The Geothermal Energy Association’s latest estimate of the industry was 5,200 direct jobs as of 2010. Indirect and induced jobs were estimated at 13,100 jobs. Geothermal industry employment is expected to increase by 2,805 jobs this year. In 2008, GEA estimated that direct employment was 4,583 jobs, and induced jobs totaled 11,460 and by 2012, 25,000 jobs.

Biomass: The Biomass Power Association estimates that the biopower industry provides 14,000 jobs in the United States. In 2008, the U.S. biodiesel industry maintained 51,893 jobs. Approximately 70,400 Americans are employed directly by the ethanol industry, with an additional 400,677 indirect and induced jobs being produced.

And, let’s not forget energy efficiency. In 2008, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimated that 380,000 people were employed in the energy efficiency services sector. Energy Efficiency Services Sector (EESS) is defined as “multi-disciplinary sector that address the design and construction of homes and buildings, and the installation, use, and maintenance of high-efficiency equipment and technologies in homes, buildings, and industrial processes. The EESS includes engineers, designers, economists, marketers, and trades people."

According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), robust investment in energy efficiency could save $1.2 trillion by 2020, and the United States could create 1.3 to 1.9 million jobs by 2050 through the deployment of energy efficient technologies. Similarly, the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) projects 1.3 million jobs by 2030, according to the report “Energy Efficiency Services Sector: Workforce Size and Expectations for Growth.”

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), created by the G-8, is an intergovernmental organization that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future, and they released an international jobs study at the end of 2013.

“The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that 5.7 million people worldwide were employed in the renewable energy sector, directly and indirectly, in 2012. The largest number of jobs is found in biofuels and solar photovoltaic, 1.38 million and 1.36 million, respectively," according to IRENA. "The solar heating/cooling, wind power and biomass (heat and power) industries each employ several hundred thousand people. By comparison, biogas, geothermal energy, small hydropower and concentrated solar power are much smaller employers. Generally, better information is available for electricity-generating renewable energy technologies than for those relating to transportation and heating/cooling.”

What differentiates energy efficiency and renewable energy from the more traditional centralized fuels is that the energy generation, distribution, integration, installation and service is much more distributed and distributed evenly across the United State (or for that matter, the world). Whether it’s energy produced along electric transmission lines, electric distribution lines, natural gas pipelines and landfills, behind the corporate or facility fence, or on-in-or near a building — its decentralization (just like cellular towers) is just a natural jobs multiplier.

Just like we have climate change deniers, we have clean energy deniers — but this job growth is just too hard to deny.

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SEC Clarifies Crowdsourcing Rules, What's the Impact on Renewables?

New Hampshire, USA -- The SEC has finally proposed its rules to allow crowd-funding under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act. What do they mean for small-scale investments in renewable energy companies and projects?

Title III of the JOBS Act created an exemption under securities laws for crowdfunding, which set the table for its regulation by the SEC -- that was supposed to happen by the end of last year. Two weeks ago the SEC finally issued its proposed rules on crowdfunding (summary here, full 500+-page PDF here). Here are the highlights:

Companies are capped at raising $1 million cap per year through crowdfunding. Investors with less than $100,000 annual income and net worth, could invest up to $2,000/year or 5 percent of annual income or net worth (whichever is greater).Investors with at least $100,000 annual income and net worth, investment amount levels rise to 10 percent of annual income or net worth (whichever is greater), and purchase no more than $100,000 of securities through crowdfunding.Non-U.S. companies are ineligible for the crowdfunding exemption, as are companies that already report to the SEC, some investment companies, those who aren't compliant with certain reporting rules, and others with no business plan or pending M&A deals.Securities purchased via crowdfunding can't be resold for a year.Under the proposed rules, issuers publishing notices advertising an offering can include terms: the nature and amount of securities offered, their pricing, and the closing date of the offering period.

So how do these proposed rules affect companies seeking to get funded by the masses? "Renewable energy companies seeking to enter the new territory of offering a security legally may find it easier to raise start up capital or additional capital because they can offer investors a return on investment" such as stock or debt with interest payable, explained Debbie A. Klis, attorney with Ballard Spahr. "It would not be difficult to create a compelling campaign to raise funds for renewable energy products especially if it brings revenue and jobs to areas of the U.S. (and abroad) that it need it the most."

For small businesses and entrepreneurs seeking to raise capital, the rules "may be a God Send" to help solve delays common in formal full-blown SEC registration and disclosure, observed Lee Peterson, senior tax manager with CohnReznick. Some entrepreneurs dream of building the next Apple or HP on the renewable energy side; others might see crowdfunding as a way to bridge the "valley of death" in startup-up financing to bring their company to market. "So as long as folks act smart and understand the investment risks," he added, "it may be a good thing."

Of course there's a difference between crowdfunding as a donation, and microfinance as a path toward ROI. SEC's proposed rules address the latter, as a way to opening doors to much more private capital. Selling securities to the public generally requires SEC compliance, and has been allowed until now only if it involves donations with no return on investment (ROI). Sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo might choose not to help companies issue securities and just continue to facilitate donations, with investors assuming that the company raising money is playing by the rules. Indiegogo, EquityNet, and RocketHub reportedly are interested in pursuing equity crowdfunding, while Kickstarter is not.

One of the early renewables crowdfunding success stories has been Mosaic, which has amassed investments for projects totaling $5.6 million in value and "tens of millions of more dollars in the pipeline," according to a company spokesperson. It has pitched 25 offerings in over 19 projects, with 2,500 investors spanning nearly every U.S. state, and roughly half its projects sell out within a week. Its newest offering is a 12.3-MW installation across more than 500 homes at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. The company has been working with the SEC as the agency wrestles with understanding how crowdfunding meshes with traditional finance, though it claims it doesn't and won't rely on the JOBS Act for its business. "There are different provisions of the securities laws that we have relied on in the past, and I would expect that this would continue to be the case in the future," noted Nick Olmsted, Mosaic's general counsel and corporate secretary.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) recently announced its own crowdfunding plan, to build an online platform to help organize and direct groups how to put solar on schools: site assessment, approvals, funding, the RFP process, etc. "Like most NGOs, we go out to big donors and foundations," explained Jay Orfield, environmental innovation fellow in NRDC’s Center for Market Innovation. This effort, though, means going to "people who are going to use and benefit" from such solar installations, getting them to fund this $5, $10, $50 at a time, he said. "That market validation is specifically what we find really exciting about crowdfunding."

Needs Some Tweaking

Not that the SEC's proposed crowdfunding rules are without criticism. Capping fundraising at $1 million over a 12-month period might be too low of a threshold for many companies. "I think the gist will be that crowdfunding has some very low limits on how much you can raise," said John Marciano, partner at Chadbourne & Parke LLP. "[It] raises the question of whether it is really a viable financing option for building and owning projects, except maybe very small projects." Some companies could be motivated "to create many subsidiaries so each entity can raise money independent of the other," though "we have not heard about rules on aggregation yet," added Debbie A. Klis, attorney with Ballard Spahr.

Another potential sticking point in the rules: Anyone investing more than $500,000 has to provide audited financial statements. Small investors might balk at that, since in some cases that could be part of why they went the crowdfunding route in the first place vs. a more formal investment plan.

These proposed rules now move into a 90-day comment period, which will almost certainly be voluminous, and likely will be extended by the SEC, with final rules coming after that -- likely late 2014 or even 2015, points Adam Wade, associate at Foley Hoag. With that much time, there could be significant difference between these preliminary rules and what gets finalized.

Marciano likens the crowdfunding discussions as similar to those around real estate investment trusts (REIT) and master limited partnerships (MLP), two other potential avenues for funding renewable energy ventures, particularly at smaller scales. "It has the promise of raising cash equity, but not tax-equity. Time will tell whether it is a viable option, but I'm guessing it may be difficult to implement."

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German industry calls for reform of the renewables

London-German Association has published a proposal for reform of the country's renewable energy strategy, calling it on the first 100 days of the new Government to be adopted.

Button, to the trade body plan strategies for elimination are the feed-in tariff (FIT) for renewable energy and instead market mechanisms determine its price procurement makes more reserve capacity and more closely matching German renewable energy policy with EU policies.

Reform of renewable energies has been a growing problem in Germany, but was essentially on hold in the run-up to the elections.

The cost of the energy transition

Chief among in the Association of the costs relating to the energy revolution are affecting German industry (BDI),. The BDI says the fit is simply too expensive, claims that the costs for the industry and consumers exceeded the already critical limits and endanger competitiveness. "The EEG [Germany's renewable energy law], with its guaranteed feed-in tariffs and priority access for renewables, can support not the needs of a generation power market with supply and demand structures. High system cost are the result,"the group said in its proposal.

German consumers and businesses pay to support a so-called EEG supplement of the country the aim of meeting 80 percent of its energy needs with renewable energy by the year 2050. BDEW, energy and water Association, predicted, will this cost 20.4 billion rise 14.1 billion to € this year from €.

While German households below the highest electricity prices in the EU (and prices rise again in 2014 laid down), industry, is also feeling the bite despite EEG additional exceptions to the value of over €4 billion for energy-intensive sectors. The exceptions were originally designed for a small number of companies, but current estimates of the number of exempted companies range from approximately 1700 to 4000, leads to public protest in Germany and an ongoing investigation by European antitrust regulatory authority provided.

"The EEG system has been carefully structured to keep the German economy competitive," said partner at the law firm Bird & bird in Dusseldorf and a senior author of the German energy blog, Dr. Matthias lang. "The Germans want renewable energy, but at the same time they want to be built yet her Mercedes here." "Is why we see certain exceptions, and the EEG premium and grid fees increased over the years due to substantial increase in has drastically their commercial relevance."

Remove is the exceptions for the industry the costs for energy transformation are even harder to bite, and major implications might be for renewable energy support policies, said long. "You take a column if all exemptions, either for reasons of politics or European law," he said, "then the whole system is at risk and that will be a big challenge." If this element of the renewable energy support system, which has more industry is no longer practicable, heart the interests then can create this is a big issue for renewable energy support as a whole."

Alignment with Europe

The BDI proposal, German renewable energy policy more closely with the European directives is based on infrastructure and legal concerns. Germany have overtaken the rest of Europe in the implementation of renewable energy does not necessarily a good thing, said long. "The European target is 20% by 2020; If you are 30 percent, have not that you are necessarily better — they meet not the goals. He said if a nation creates problems of others for all because it does more than the goals, then it may be according to European requirements".

In its investigation the European Commission "will look hard at what Germany is actually doing, and I suspect that we actually have some criticism from Brussels," he continued. "It's about what fits our energy policy in Europe. If we prepare raster extension here, maybe it would be better, the grid in France, Belgium, the Czech Republic, etc. to build there, '' he said. "We have cross-border problems now because of various environmental regulations in different countries, the problems for the German economy--to create, is why BDI is interested in." "What we need in Europe to fit, because German companies sitting on both sides of the border."

Election results are the key

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on Sunday for a third term re-elected has pointed out that the reform of renewable energies is at work, but so far has no details offered, how it should be achieved. Her party has said that it wants to make renewable energy competitive to on the market without further government support; It wants more responsibility for the security of energy supplies renewable power generators. Depends what kind of policy reform will now take place on the parties a possible coalition Government with the center-left Social Democrats and the Green Party both take part in the race.

Once a Government is formed, long said, there is "a really long discussion, to work such as [policy reform]. The victorious coalition parties have some difficult decisions about the renewable energy support system. It won't be easy for either party, to make these decisions." Contribute to the discussion, new EEG supplement pay will be released on October 15.

"I can't tell where this is going," said long. "Merkel said two years ago that the EEG surcharge not over €3.4 cents rise; next year it may be twice as much,"he continued. "We are a new price tag for the surcharge in October; at the same time must have decided new Government where you bring the EEG system."

It is possible, long said that the new Government "have a first quick-shot reaction only with certain elements" of policy reform. "We have seen in the past, that a new Government with an initial response, and then something comes up that take longer," he said. "Fundamental reform will take longer."

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European Investment Bank (EIB) cut lending to fossil plants, supports renewables

London-the European Investment Bank (EIB), the world's largest public financial institution, has announced that effective immediately, it no longer the most coal, brown coal and oil fired power plants in Europe its climate targets to meet as an aid for finance is.

The announcement comes on the heels of a similar announcement by the World Bank, which has said, that it support "only in rare cases." will power plants in the developing world for coal

At a meeting this week that the EIB Board of Directors agreed to introduce an emissions performance standard (EPS) for energy projects, investments in power plants for fossil fuels, which have not implemented the emission technologies, which is effectively blocked the emitting more than 550 g/CO2 per kWh, screen. Coal plants get more funding, if with carbon capture and storage (CCS) and power (CHP) or cogeneration, biomass co-fire technology in place.

The Board said that the standards, after an eight-month consultation over 80 industry associations, national committees and individual companies, are designed to strengthen support for investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency in Europe. Richard Willis, press officer of the EIB said REW, that the move "our ongoing focus towards renewable energies opens so far and reflects how we see our primary focus on investments in the coming years." Green as the WWF welcomed said the step but it does not go far enough, and some Member States had reportedly urged groups, the more stringent standards will be implemented immediately.

"In determining at what level the EPS set we nature of emissions across a range of technologies saw,", said Willis. "We have set a standard unanimously by all Member States which reflects current policy but the guidelines no longer still because we were asked that we review and consider also the exceptions that are in place to ensure we concentrate primarily on networks, renewable energy and energy efficiency."

Two exceptions to the standard, which it more financing for coal-fired plants, to the security of supply or allow "contribute to the alleviation of poverty and economic development", contribute in other regions of Europe, have been marked by green groups.

"We decided that the total new guidelines would be considered in the autumn of next year – this is normal that every initiative, which committed the Bank," said Willis. "We look to see if the level the difference between projects continue to the 550 g figure reflected, or whether technology improves, so we had a lower number, the more [] emission reduction and biomass investment would allow." He also speculated that "much stronger set" climate goals the next year's European elections most could follow the time ", which would be taken into account."

A number of Member States have highlighted the continuing importance of the gas as a transitional technology to a low-carbon economy, and the EIB said Willis recognizes this, although he didn't say what specific measures have been taken. But he said, "really, our main focus is for 90 per cent of our future commitments are in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency and grid networks to ensure that renewable energy can have an important role in Europe's energy mix." Investments in the network infrastructure is crucial, he said, and "no single Government or institution, who pay for it can alone; Companies are stretched. We can play a role as an important source of funding and a supporting role in providing technical assistance. As co-financier, we support about one-third of project funding on average, but can we contribute up to 50 percent, we can help, in other financial sources, often from other banks to bring, which is not such a big focus and exposure to renewable energy but are happy, with other much-needed capital for long-term investments to work."

Earlier this week signed a financing bank with Dutch grid operator TenneT for new grid infrastructure, linking the North Sea to Northern Germany and today the Bank and Spanish utility Iberdrola signed a loan agreement for €200 milliion for promoting the modernisation of the electricity network in Spain. Such net investment "is key to the use of not only existing investments in renewable energies, but also new investment as it comes forward", said Willis.

I am delighted, he concluded that "with regard to renewable energy, we realize that on a snapshot from year to year based on investment in the face of the different energy markets and regime varies. We are closely related to most of the larger projects but also always on the lookout for ways to work through intermediary banks to support smaller systems. We have a continuing role in other sources of financial support renewable energy: banks that can't our commitment on renewable energy to engage. We see this in major projects in the North Sea and in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere."

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EIA Report: U.S. Renewables Rise by 2040

Renewable energy use will grow at a much faster rate than fossil energy use through 2040, according to projections in the Annual Energy Outlook 2013 Reference case, part of a preliminary report released on December 5 by theU.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The Reference case focuses on the factors that shape U.S. energy markets, and projects that the use of renewable energy in the United States as a percentage of total energy use will grow from 13% in 2011 to 16% in 2040. Electricity generation from solar and wind energy will expand because recent cost declines make them more economical.

The EIA report also projects increased sales of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, which grow to about 1.3 million vehicles in 2035—about 20% higher than last year's Reference case. The 2013 report also noted that continued fuel economy improvement in vehicles using other alternative fuels, gasoline, and diesel, combined with growth in the use of hybrid technologies (including micro, mild, full, and plug-in hybrid vehicles), limit the use of electric vehicles over the projection.

As a result of improved energy efficiency and a shift away from the most carbon-intensive fuels, U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions could remain more than 5% below their 2005 level through 2040. In particular, emissions from gasoline are expected to be lower in the 2013 Reference case than in the 2012 report as a result of the adoption of fuel economy standards, biofuel mandates, and shifts in consumer behavior. See the EIA press release and the EIA report overview.

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$1.9 Billion Power Line Opens Renewables for San Diego

The Sunrise Powerlink transmission line under construction in California.
Credit: San Diego Gas & Electric

The $1.9 billion Sunrise Powerlink, a 500,000-volt transmission line linking San Diego to the Imperial Valley, is now in service after a five-year permitting process and 18 months of construction. San Diego Gas & Electric announced on June 18 that the line will connect San Diego with one of the most renewable-rich regions in California. For environmental reasons, nearly 75% of the tower locations required helicopters to set the tower structures and it took more than 28,000 flight hours to complete the aerial construction.

The Sunrise Powerlink will soon deliver a significant amount of wind and solar power to San Diego. Over the past three years, San Diego Gas & Electric signed eight renewable agreements for more than 1,000 megawatts of solar and wind power from projects in Imperial County. In 2011, more than 20% of the utility's power came from renewable energy, and by 2020, it will get 33% from renewable resources. See the San Diego Gas & Electric press release.

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Army wants $7 billion in industry partnerships for renewables

This is an excerpt from EERE network news, a weekly electronic newsletter.

The army reported on 19 March, that it to invest up to $7 billion over the next 10 years in renewable energy sources, like wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy will partner with the economy. The military Department has released a draft of a request for proposal (RFP), starting several projects nationwide could allow. The draft RFP, indicating that the army intends to buy especially renewable generated electricity through power purchase agreements with the project developer.

The investment will help, the army achieve its goal with 25% of his estimated 2.5 million megawatt hours come to the year 2025 from renewable sources. In addition to energy savings, aspire to create installations that alternative forms of energy, which leave them "Island" or continue to the power grid should fail.

The army energy of initiatives task force (EITF) serves as the central management to plan and executing large renewable energy projects of more than 10 megawatts (gross enough, makes 30,000 houses) will be on Army installations, achieved through the use of private-sector financing. In the spring, a renewable energy project guide for comment is issued.

The task force works closely with the U.S. Army Corps of engineers, a call for tenders to develop under the multiple award order contract (MATOC). The MATOC provides a two-stage process. In the first step, companies range first proposals and qualifications that are not specific to the project. The draft is RFP for the MATOC for public comments until March 24. The EITF plans to a Summit in May to meet leaders, as well as specific projects with the industry and the development of renewable energy. See army news report on the initiative and the draft of a call to the army acquisition business website.

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