A number of U.S. states require electricity providers to derive a minimum percentage of their power from renewable sources by a certain date. Such a requirement is often referred to a renewable portfolio standard, or RPS. Currently, 24 states, plus the District of Columbia have formalized RPSs in place, while five other states have legislated more informal goals aimed at promoting the adoption of renewable power. The Department of Energy provides a useful RPS summary map.
Going further, some states specify targets for particular forms of renewable power. Delaware, for instance, has an RPS requiring that, by 2019, 20 percent of the state’s electricity come from renewable resources. Of that 20 percent, the state mandates that at least 2 percent must come from solar technologies. Such carve-outs ensure that the state’s energy mix (i.e., its “renewable portfolio”) is somewhat diversified.
On this topic, CleanBeta relays a clever forecast of U.S. installed solar power capacity:
- Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
- Most Aggressive State Solar Energy Policies
Notably absent is California, which has an aggressive RPS but doesn’t mandate a solar carve-out. (California — being the solar power behemoth that it is — would probably be off the above chart, anyway. Literally.)
Another noteworthy point: how would existing state-level RPSs be impacted by the creation of national standards? The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), which squeaked by the House on June 26, includes (among other things) a provision for the creation of a national renewable energy standard (RES). As written, it would require all investor-owned utilities to produce or buy at least 15 percent of their energy from renewable resources. The provision provides some flexibility, allowing states to meet a considerable portion of the 15-percent requirement through energy efficiency measures. (For a great overview of ACES as it stood before the June 26 vote, read here.)
As is often the case with nationwide policies, some states are ahead of the curve, and some are behind. Accordingly, my guess is that states with more aggressive RPS targets would maintain them, selling their excess renewable energy certificates (RECs) to states that are falling short of the 15-percent minimum requirement. All others would be required pony up for the new national standard by (1) buying RECs, (2) increasing in-state renewable energy generation, and/or (3) promoting in-state energy efficiency.
Facts? Thoughts? Opinions?
UPDATE: The national RES is bound to be one of the topics covered at the Intersolar Conference, being held this week in downtown San Francisco. If you attend, drop us a line.
UPDATE #2: Check out this reprinted article from Kevin Eber at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. It reviews four states that have recently added or updated renewable energy standards: Kansas, West Virginia, Nevada and Maine.
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