Page 6 - Green Builder Magazine May-June 2019 Issue

Green Building NEWS

The Latest on Sustainability and Renewable Energy

Solar Roofing Comes Under Attack in Idaho

The state’s No. 1 utility wants an installation ban
in response to excessive green power purchases.

OOD NEWS HAS TURNED TO BAD NEWS IN IDAHO, where a
clean energy movement could lead to a statewide ban on
rooftop solar. In March, Idaho Power, the state’s largest utility,
announced its “Clean Today, Cleaner Tomorrow” initiative, where
G the company would transition to 100 percent green energy
production by 2045. Environmentalists rejoiced.
In April, the utility released a second proposal: All new hookups of rooftop
solar systems would halt until state regulators study the rates that are paid
to companies for selling excess electricity to the grid. In its application to the
state’s public utilities commission, Idaho Power noted that businesses’ use
of solar is increasing so quickly that some costs of maintaining the grid could
shift to other customers. Now, the same environmentalists are accusing the
utility of trying to obtain a monopoly on control of clean energy.
Dan Gearino, environmental reporter for InsideClimate News, says the CREDIT: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
roofing proposal will devastate the companies that install the systems,
“Utilities often make [the business growth] argument,” he notes. “The problem
is that it doesn’t take into account that growth in customer-owned solar
can cut costs for everyone by reducing demand to build large power plants.” Dark times ahead? Solar roof installers in Idaho may be out of work for
State regulators will soon set a timetable for handling the utility’s request. GB months if the state grants a service stay from its largest power company.
Virginia Polytechnic Wins Solar Decathlon

The institute wins top honor at DOE competition for its energy-efficient building concept.

HE VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC
Institute and State University
team was named grand winner
at the U.S. Department of
T Energy Solar Decathlon Design
Challenge in April. Virginia Polytechnic beat
out 44 other finalist teams nationwide,
including 37 colleges.
The U.S. Department of Energy Solar
Decathlon is a collegiate competition
that challenges student teams to design
and build highly efficient and innovative
buildings powered by renewable energy.
The winners are those teams that best CREDIT: U.S. DOE
blend architectural and engineering
excellence with innovation, market The winning team. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University team members were all smiles after
potential, building efficiency and smart being named winners of the Solar Decathlon Design Challenge.
energy production, according to a DESD release. Attached Housing; and State University of New York College of Environmental
First-place winners included the United States Military Academy at West Science and Forestry and Syracuse University, Mixed-Use Multifamily.
Point for the Suburban Single-Family division; Georgia Institute of Technology A complete list of winners is available at the U.S. Department of Energy
in Urban Single-Family; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University for Solar Decathlon website. GB

4 GREEN BUILDER May/June 2019 www.greenbuildermedia.com

4-5 GB 0519 News.indd 4 5/8/19 3:09 PM