Best renewable energy state programs 

The Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) celebrated its 15th anniversary as a national, nonprofit consortium of states with renewable energy programs. The progress is incredible that CESA-member organizations made to advance clean energy over that time. The number of renewable energy installations has ramped up and clean energy deployment continues to increase. Both rooftop solar and utility-scale solar arrays are common sights.  CESA’s State Leadership in Clean Energy Awards, established in 2008 and held biennially, highlight the continuing progress and achievements by state clean energy programs across the U.S. Past award winners have included state programs that supported the first Solarize program in the country and created thermal renewable energy certificates (RECs), as well as solar lease programs, commercial PACE, solar RECs, and business incubator programs, to name a few.
 

Winning programs shown vision, perseverance, and creativity

The 2018 award winners continue a tradition of innovation and practical solutions. The six winning programs have shown vision, perseverance, and creativity. They’ve establish new markets for offshore wind, energy storage, and solar financing. They also have stimulated community-level clean energy actions and made solar PV more accessible. The awardees display clean energy innovations that continue to transform clean energy markets.
 

Awardees are:

Connecticut Green Bank for its Solar for All Partnership, a ground-breaking public-private partnership between the Connecticut Green Bank and PosiGen Solar Solutions that provides a targeted solar lease paired with energy efficiency measures for low- to moderate-income (LMI) homeowners.

Oregon Department of Energy for the Renewable Energy Development Grant Program. Since 2012, this competitive grant program has awarded nearly $5 million for 55 renewable projects statewide, including solar, hydropower, biogas, biomass, and geothermal installations. A two-tiered grant award system means similarly-sized projects compete against each other, allowing small projects to remain competitive.

Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources for its work to advance the Block Island Offshore Wind Farm, North America’s first offshore wind farm. It’s a significant clean energy accomplishment for Rhode Island and the nation, and it is helping to spur an entirely new industry and job creator for the economy.

Xcel Energy Renewable Development Fund (RDF) for its support of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Solar Demonstration Project. With funding from Xcel Energy RDF, the MPRB installed 200 kW of solar PV in the Minneapolis parks system to model the seamless incorporation of renewable energy into public amenities, which has resulted in the deployment of public-facing solar installations that reach not only millions of people, but also very diverse populations.

We invite you to learn more about the State Leadership in Clean Energy Award winners, past and present here, where an upcoming and past case study reports are posted and webinar recordings can be accessed. If you want to find out what solar panels are right for you, go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. You can see how much you can save over the next 20 years by going solar, and we can help find local solar installers who can help. For more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles.