Activists protest Idaho Power’s value of solar study
Boise, Idaho

Solar advocates asked the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to reject or heavily review Idaho Power’s value of solar study that will guide future net-metering rate structures. Advocates say the utility used faulty methodology and outdated data in the study.

Minnesota PUC approves new cost-sharing program for residential solar interconnection upgrades
Saint Paul, Minnesota

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a collaborative cost-sharing plan by Xcel Energy and nonprofit organization Fresh Energy to ease interconnection burdens for residential solar projects. Under the new plan, customers with projects up to 40 kW will pay a single fee of $200 that will cover interconnection upgrade costs up to $15,000 per project.

Solar technology spared in proposed International Building Code changes
Washington, D.C. 

After originally suggesting ground-mount solar projects should be moved from risk category I to IV, the International Code Council and Federal Emergency Management Agency took SEIA’s countermeasures into account in proposed changes to the International Building Code. The ICC is reportedly approving the proposed move to risk category II instead.

Puerto Rico groups ask Congress to fund solar + storage for vulnerable communities
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Over 40 Puerto Rican organizations, business and churches have asked Congress to approve $5 billion in spending for distributed solar + storage for vulnerable communities on the island. The group says rooftop solar + storage systems are necessary since Puerto Rico’s energy grid remains poorly managed and unreliable in the face of increasing extreme weather events.