March 2013
 
The IREC Report
 

JW

 
 
 
from the Executive Director...
Jane Weissman

  

 

The Art of Constructive Impatience

 

On February 10, IREC hit its 31st year.  We did the birthday cake and candles thing last year when the speedometer rolled over to 30 years.  This year we're taking stock and making changes.  We are asking ourselves what are our successes; what issues are still relevant; and how can IREC the organization remain current and responsive to wide swings in markets and policies?  We know we're busy - very busy - but we want to make sure we continue to be productive, effective and accountable.

 

Over the past three decades, we have steadily focused on promoting rules and policies to support market growth and the companion underpinning for a competent workforce.  We've seen mutual gains for all segments of the industry and IREC is proud to be a leading force in moving things forward.   But are we moving fast enough?  Is patience the best course for action or do we enter into the next decade stepping up our pace?  I vote for speeding things up a bit. 

 

It's hard to be patient when slippage occurs.  Two topics come to mind.  In one very sunny state where solar energy should be a no brainer, there is surprising contentiousness brewing taking aim at progress that has been made.  One step forward and two steps back is not a dance I enjoy.  When it comes to setting quality assurance programs for the workforce, all partners need to be at the table.  The renewable energy and energy efficiency industries have an impressive list of safeguards in place through workforce and products credentialing schemes.  Let's make sure these measures stay strong and resilient.  Reversal is not an option.

 

To ground my impatience in productive action, IREC remains committed to our operating principles of consensus strategies, objective analysis, and best practices and standards formed with transparency and inclusive stakeholder input.  These tenets remain firm.

 

Over the course of the next few months, we'll be announcing changes at IREC.  Right now, I'd like to give you a sneak preview of a very exciting staff addition.  Larry Sherwood, who has been on the IREC Team for many years, is now IREC's Chief Operating Officer and second in command.  We're in very capable hands with Larry on board.  We'll spend the next four months transitioning and will keep you posted on how things are going. 

 

Keep your eye on additional IREC announcements.  I think you'll be pleased with the changes we're making and the value we bring.

 

Jane Weissman

Executive Director

 

Connecting to the Grid 
by Laurel Passera

 

LaurelP

FERC SGIP: time for a tuneup

Increased PV system size, coupled with increased solar penetration on the grid are causing utilities to propose lengthy studies to determine the impact of increased DG capacity on the grid. A recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announcement could smooth the path, enabling larger and greater numbers of distributed generation (DG) systems to connect to the grid in a more expeditious manner.

IREC Credentialing Program  

by Pat Fox


The IREC Candidate Handbook, the primary resource for training providers who are applying for or have been awarded an IREC credential, has a few new changes, including updated fees and term extensions. 

SITN IREC logo

 

Solar Instructor Training Network

by Joe Sarubbi

 

Joe Sarubbi

Valuable Tools for Solar Instructors
From the solar career map to the PV Online Training (PVOT) for code officials to best practices for solar education and training, the SITN is developing unique tools and resources to give the regional training providers the right tools for the job of training a highly-skilled, globally-competitive solar energy workforce for the 21st Century. 
Small Wind News
by Larry Sherwood
Larry Sherwood  

NACo and DWEA Release County Wind Ordinance Best Practices Guide

The report, County Strategies for Successfully Managing and Promoting Wind Power, a best practices guide, is a tool for county elected officials and planners to learn about local wind ordinance development, explore key ordinance criteria, and consider best practices from other counties. 

DSIRE News

Solar Ops website
 
Now, all in one place, the Solar Outreach Partnership website has the best of resources--from one-on-one technical assistance, podcasts, and best practices designed to help local governments go solar. IREC is a partner in this nationwide effort. 
About IREC
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) is a non-profit organization accelerating the use of  renewable energy and energy efficiency since 1982. IREC's programs and policies lead to easier, more affordable connection to the utility grid; fair credit for renewable energy produced; best practices for states, municipalities, utilities and industry; and quality assessment for the growing green workforce through the credentialing of trainers and training programs. Visit us at www.irecusa.org.

Disclaimer
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) does not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product or process that is referred to or linked to in this newsletter. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply IREC's endorsement or recommendation.  
CA DG cover  
 
Blueprint for the Development of Distributed Generation in California, the latest report from IREC, offers nine recommendations to help the state capture the greatest range of benefits from its continued support of DG in coming years. Written for IREC by Sky Stanfield, Keyes, Fox & Wiedman, LLP., the blueprint highlights that in order to fully unlock the potential of DG in California, policy efforts need to be integrated across a number of areas that are often regulated independently.
Read IREC's Newsletters

The IREC Report
Connecting to the Grid
Small Wind News
The Credentialing Chronicle
The SITN Quarterly
 

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MAR
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3/9-3/12 | NAWB Forum
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4/16-4/20 | Solar 2013
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DSIRE News

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. DSIRE contains in�formation on more than 2,700 incentives and policies. Approximately 175,000 people per month use DSIRE. 

Established in 1995, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc.. DSIRE is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
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The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's renowned Energy Execs Program offers two training courses--the Leadership Program and Leadership Institute.  Both provide business, governmental, and community leaders with information and tools to guide their organizations and communities in energy-related decisions and planning. Applications for the 2013 class are due March 8, 2013.
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