With states adopting programs to encourage energy users to install combined heating and power (CHP) systems, building owners and asset managers are asking themselves the bottom line question - how can CHP increase my operating income and asset value?

Topics: Energy Security, Energy Efficiency, Energy Finance, Distributed Energy, Energy Management

Last week South Carolina’s major utilities announced new residential solar incentive programs under the state’s Distributed Energy Resource Program Act (DERPA). Signed in mid-2014 by Governor Nikki Haley, DERPA requires utilities to establish distributed energy resources programs, authorized third-party solar leasing, and updated the state’s net metering program.

Topics: Utilities, Energy Policy, Energy Finance, Solar Energy, Renewable Energy

For more than a decade, fossil fuel supporters have insisted that new clean energy technologies like wind and solar are far “too expensive” to replace our traditional fossil fuel dominated energy industries. A recent report published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has put a price on the direct and indirect subsidies that support fossil fuels as a counter argument to the renewables are “too expensive” message.

Topics: Carbon Emissions, Thermal Generation, Energy Policy, Energy Finance, Renewable Energy

Driven by rapid expansion in developing countries, renewables are becoming a significant source of the world’s power. According to the United Nations Environmental Programme’s (UNEP) 9th “Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2015,” investment in developing countries was up 36% in 2014, totaling $131.3 billion. China ($83.3 billion), Brazil ($7.6 billion), India ($7.4 billion) and South Africa ($5.5 billion) were all in the top 10 of investing countries while more than $1 billion was invested in Indonesia, Chile, Mexico, Kenya and Turkey. As renewables continue to expand into developing nations, it is incumbent upon developers to understand the risk features of some of these environments.

Topics: Energy Policy, Energy Finance, Distributed Energy, Renewable Energy, Public/Private Partnership

Sunny, tropical Puerto Rico may finally have a break through in solar development and investment. Although the island represents a solar opportunity today, renewable generation only represented 1% of the Caribbean territory’s energy mix in 2012, despite high electricity prices and renewable friendly policies. The reason for the lack of solar development is likely due to poor investor confidence in the local utility as offtaker.

Topics: Utilities, Energy Policy, Energy Finance, Distributed Energy, Solar Energy, Renewable Energy

Smarter Grid Cyber Security Is Required to Ensure Minimal Disruptions to Energy Supply

Topics: Utilities, Energy Finance, Distributed Energy

It would often be a good thing for the renewable energy industry if a solar company received column space in several of the most widely circulated newspapers and periodicals on the planet. However, recent articles in the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times and Forbes regarding accounting irregularities and late-day trading in Hanergy, one of the largest publicly-traded companies in China and the largest publicly-traded solar company by value in the world, have painted a less-than-flattering picture. They also provide a stark reminder of the need to undertake strong partner diligence in renewable energy transactions.

Topics: Structured Transactions & Tax, Energy Finance, Renewable Energy

Sponsors of innovative technology projects often have difficulty obtaining private debt financing due to the absence of a deployment track record. The Department of Energy’s Loan Program Office (LPO) may provide a way to fill this gap; currently, it is accepting applications for debt financing and loan guarantees, including up to $8 billion for Advanced Fossil Energy Projects, $4 billion for Renewable Energy and Efficient Energy Projects, and $12.5 billion for Advanced Nuclear Energy Projects.

Topics: Energy Policy, Energy Efficiency, Energy Finance, Renewable Energy

Topics: Green Bonds, Energy Finance, Renewable Energy

Topics: Energy Policy, Energy Finance, Renewable Energy