Unite WV Neighbors under the SUN

From the Report by April Pearson-Keating, Mountain Lakes Preservation Alliance, 12/14/16

Morgantown, WV – The first annual Solar Congress was held at WVU Law School last Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9a.m. – 3p.m. The event, hosted by WV Sun, was an educational and networking opportunity for those interested in learning more about solar power and how to get it.

Around 75 people attended the event. Several expert speakers held breakout sessions on issues surrounding energy policy in WV and the United States.

Karan Ireland, city councilperson of Charleston, WV, heads up WV Sun, an organization that works to educate people about distributed solar power, develop solar co-ops, and strengthen solar policy in WV. She said of the event, “We were very happy with the success of the first Solar Congress. People from around WV are eager to learn about solar and, more importantly, to advocate for good energy policy that encourages growth in the renewable energy sector. West Virginia is on the cusp of exciting times when it comes to solar.”

Six breakout sessions were held on relevant topics. Ireland discussed citizen lobbying and how to talk to one’s representatives about the issues that are important to them. Emmet Pepper discussed LEEP (Local Energy Efficiency Partnerships), an innovative way for commercial property owners and small business owners to pay for energy efficiency upgrades.

Colin Williams of Mountain View Solar, the oldest solar installer in WV, talked about third party financing, power purchasing agreements, and necessary legislative change.

Jim Kotcon of WV Sierra Club discussed the state of the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) in WV. In 2009, an RPS modeled after Pennsylvania’s was introduced by then Governor Manchin. By 2015, it was repealed, making WV one of only 12 states without a requirement to produce part of its energy from renewables (solar, wind, hydro, etc.).

James VanNostrand of the WVU Center for Energy and Sustainable Development discussed the different models and workings of community solar, in which groups can participate with utilities to get solar power based on renewable portfolio requirements and other legislation.

Dan Conant, of Solar Holler, reviewed Policies to ensure fair compensation for solar producers and discussed the value of solar power. He heads up the Coalfield Development Corporation that, with a Benedum Foundation grant, will train 10 new solar installers per year. Last year, this training doubled the number of solar installers in the state. This has been helpful to out-of-work coal communities.

Some interesting facts from the day included a photo of the solar array at Mountaineer World at Clarksburg exit; the facility also has “plugshare” or electric car chargers, a café, and, according to the speaker, “the best WVU gear anywhere.” It was also pointed out that PV (photovoltaic) panels are very durable; the first ones ever made are still operating today.

Solar co-ops make solar power more affordable by offering bulk discounts on materials and by calling for bids on the labor, driving prices down. Fortune Magazine reports “the cost of installing solar panels at big solar farms and on rooftops will drop 60% to an estimated average of around four cents per kilowatt hour by 2040,” according to a Bloomberg report. “That’s cheaper than coal and natural gas power in many regions.” There are currently 2 co-ops operating in the Mountain State, with 6 more coming in 2017 and a total of 11 in the past 2.5 years.

Autumn Long, of Harrison County, is the northern WV co-op leader. She notes, “I hope the Solar Congress will help increase the number of people throughout WV who are interested in the benefits that renewable energy can provide for our state’s citizens and communities.”

Ireland’s info session was about citizen lobbying for better solar policy. She noted that WV has a part-time legislature, and they need help from the citizenry to be informed. Every issue needs a face and a voice, change happens when advocates don’t give up, and face-to-face meetings are the best tool to make change.

The West Virginia state legislative session begins January 11, 2017.

See also:   www.WVSUN.org