Brownfield Sites in the Upper Peninsula that could host the development of more than 750 MW of solar energy

Brownfield Sites in the Upper Peninsula that could host the development of more than 750 MW of solar energy have been identified by Michigan Energy Options.  The solar mapping tool specifically looks at the areas around Marquette and Houghton. It lists 79 sites with 752 MW of solar potential, as well as each site’s proximity to transmission lines, substations and roads.  A 2010 study by the Land Policy Institute at MSU estimated 4,320 MW in wind and solar potential on brownfield sites across the state.

Interested in sharing solar experiences or information?  You can share on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/MiSolarUsers or send me a note to include in next week’s MiSUN Weekly.

2glrea.org/solar/mi-sun

ALERT - Solar Taxation

The City of Ann Arbor, Energy Commission Solar Subcommittee met with Howard Lazarus, City Administrator (January 11 2017) to present their recent Solar Taxation Report.  Councilperson Chip Smith was in attendance along with several city staff.  The City Administrator said he essentially agreed with the report's findings and conclusions, quoting Oscar Wilde - "a cynic was ‘a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing" - noting that there was no place cynicism in Ann Arbor when it comes to Climate Action.  

In this meeting, Administrator Lazarus made a commitment to find a way to eliminate and/or ameliorate the solar tax in Ann Arbor.  Councilperson Chip Smith indicated that there was strong support in the City Council to address this issues as well.    

Administrator Lazarus also committed to a report to the Energy Commission on Feb. 14th 2017 on the City's plan to eliminate and/or ameliorate the effects of solar taxation and their progress on implementation.

Mark H. Clevey

Founder/Organizer, AA SUN

(517) 242 6880, mclevey123@gmail.com
2glrea.org/solar/mi-sun

Midcontinent ISO has integrated a solar farm into its wholesale market for the first time

Midcontinent ISO has integrated a solar farm into its wholesale market for the first time. The 100-MW North Star solar farm outside of Minneapolis is the largest solar facility in the Midwest and will sell its output to Xcel Energy.  Several large solar farms have been built in the MISO region, but North Star is the first that can trade its electrical output in the wholesale energy market. 

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/miso-integrates-first-solar-project-into-its-wholesale-market/432791/

Interested in sharing solar experiences or information?  You can share on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/MiSolarUsers or send me a note to include in next week’s MiSUN Weekly.

2glrea.org/solar/mi-sun

For those solar users interested, the Ann Arbor Property Tax appeal's will occur on March 22, 22 and 23 2017.

For those solar users interested, the Ann Arbor Property Tax appeal's will occur on March 22, 22 and 23 2017.   I have been informed by a staff person in the Assessors Office that I will receive a letter in early March outlining my SOLAR TAX INCREASE and notifying me of the appeal process.  My understanding is that appeals can be done in writing or in person.  My appeal will include information on my solar systems energy output and its emissions reductions.

You can contact the City Assessors office to determine your SOLAR TAX!  See the Energy Commission Report on Solar Taxation in Ann Arbor.

2glrea.org/solar/mi-sun

SolarYpsi’s Nonprofit Project has been highlighted in Home Power Magazine

SolarYpsi’s Nonprofit Project has been highlighted in Home Power Magazine. Early in 2015, a benefactor contacted SolarYpsi wanting to fund more PV installations in Ypsilanti. Since SolarYpsi is not a 501(c)3, it was determined that the best course of action would be to put together a list of nonprofits interested in having a PV system and the donor would choose from the list.  The donor contributed a total of $93,000 for 5 kW PV systems at a public library, two com­munity centers, a public high school, a health center, and a city-owned carport.

Interested in sharing solar experiences or information?  You can share on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/MiSolarUsers or send me a note to include in next week’s MiSUN Weekly.

2glrea.org/solar/mi-sun

The world is run by those who show up - time for Ann Arbor solar advocates to show up!

The world is run by those who show up - time for Ann Arbor solar advocates to show up!

This email string includes comments I've received from AA SUN members and supporters regarding the recent Energy Commission Report on Solar Taxation in Ann Arbor and the subsequent and related MLive story.  Some have encouraged me to ask AA Members to lobby their city council representatives. 

1. What AA SUN Can't Do - As a Mi SUN Chapter, AA SUN is bound by legal rules that apply to the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (a 501(c)3 Non Profit Association formed in 1991 and supported by members to educate and advocate for renewable energy in the Great Lakes).  Neither GLREA nor its member organizations (MI SUN and Chapters) may engage in lobbying activities.  AA SUN’s primary and sole vehicle for affecting public policy is education.

2. What AA SUN Can do - AA SUN’s primary and sole vehicle for affecting public policy is education.  AA SUN encourages its members and supporters to educate policy makers and thought leaders in Ann Arbor about issues that impact the viability of solar energy in our community.  Within this context, the Energy Commission Solar Taxation Report and MLive story are public documents and tools which you are free to use - or not use - as educational tools.   

3. What individual AA SUN Members Can Do - AA SUN members may lobby and/or educate as individuals who just happen to belong to AA SUN along with several other organizations that support enlightened solar public policies (e.g., Sierra Club of Huron Valley, Ecology Center, etc.). 

NOTE - AA Stakeholder Members, such as Sierra Club of Huron Valley, can lobby, if they so choose, on behalf of enlightened solar taxation policies (contact: Sierra Club Huron Valley Group, Nancy Shiffler,Chair, Sierra Club Huron Valley Group (nshiffler@comcast.net) andEd Steinman (HVGsierraclub@gmail.com, lighthawk.pilot@gmail.com).

The best thing we can all do is help grow AA SUN's Membership!  Elections are just two years away.

Mark Clevey

Founder/Organizer, AA SUN 
2glrea.org/solar/mi-sun

Will your taxes go up if you install solar panels? In Ann Arbor, yes.

ANN ARBOR, MI - Greg McGuire and his wife, Emily, live in the Old West Side historic district near downtown Ann Arbor.

A few years ago, they decided to add something new to their turn-of-the-century home: rooftop solar panels.

Not only was the 4.3-kilowatt system going to help them do their part for the environment by producing clean energy, it was going to be a financially prudent investment. Or so they thought until their taxes went up.

More ...


2glrea.org/solar/mi-sun