This month at IREC, we're excited to announce new opportunities to get involved with the Sustainable Energy Action Committee (SEAC). We also welcome our new Regulatory Vice President, and highlight our clean energy training resources for fire fighters and code officials. Don't forget to complete the short poll at the bottom of the Report to help us provide relevant updates tailored to what you're most interested in!

AUGUST 2020

Sustainable Energy Action Committee Accepting Suggestions, Applications for Assembly

The Sustainable Energy Action Committee (SEAC) is a national forum bringing together diverse stakeholders to identify and develop solutions to code & permitting challenges facing solar, energy storage, and other clean energy sources.

Help SEAC develop solutions and prioritize the right code and permitting issues facing clean energy sources by taking the survey below by this Thursday, August 27. Take Survey Become a part of the SEAC Assembly to vote on all SEAC recommendations, positions, best practices and publications. Apply below by September 4. Apply Here

Regulatory Wins in Minnesota Will Result in Hosting Capacity Analysis Improvements

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission recently ordered utility Xcel Energy to make changes to its 2020 Hosting Capacity Analysis (HCA). These changes will make the results more useful for determining where new generation capacity, such as solar PV systems, can be sited. IREC and its local partners were integrally involved in the regulatory proceedings. Future HCAs will show data at a much more granular level making them more useful for clean energy developers. The images below provide a representative example.

See Improvements

Explore IREC’s Clean Energy Training Resources

Code officials and fire fighters are busy on the job, but still making time to access on-demand learning through IREC's online learning center. Travel restrictions and work from home situations have made online learning an ideal way to hone skills and increase knowledge.

Fire fighters watch real fire attacks and learn how to operate safely when they encounter a solar-equipped structure. Fire Fighters Training Code officials tag along with five photovoltaic (PV) experts as they inspect different types of PV systems across the country. Code Officials Training

"Great information that was presented in a logical manner. I feel very prepared to handle a PV system emergency after this course!" – Course Participant

IREC Welcomes Radina Valova as Regulatory Vice President

IREC is thrilled to announce Radina Valova as our new Regulatory Vice President. Valova will provide strategic direction and oversight of IREC’s Regulatory Program, which works in states across the country to advance distributed energy resource (DER) regulatory best practices, in support of a 100% clean energy future that is reliable, resilient, and equitable. Meet Radina!

Tell Us What You're Most Interested In!

Help us tailor our updates to your interests by letting us know what IREC Programs you would like to hear about.

Feel free to select multiple options: Regulatory Reform – our work on clean energy policies and regulations Select Workforce Development – our work to build the clean energy workforce Select Local Initiatives – our work with local communities on clean energy Select All of the above Select

August 20 | Minnesota PUC Requires Hosting Capacity Analysis Improvements | North American Clean Energy August 19 | Win for Clean Energy: Minnesota PUC Orders Xcel to Provide More Detail in HCA Report | Solar Builder Magazine August 11 | Biggest Influencers in Solar Energy in Q2 2020: The Top Companies and Individuals to Follow | Power Technology (IREC Board Member Carl Seigrist makes the list of top solar influencers)  August 10 | The Long-Awaited IEEE Standard that Paves the Way for More Energy Storage on a Smarter Grid | Energy Storage News July 29 | How the Lack of a Common Interconnection Rule Affects Solar Installers, Customers | Solar Builder July 27 | New DOE-Backed Project Will Tackle Barriers to Energy Storage Interconnection | Energy Central July 27 | Renewable Energy Update - July 2020 #4 | JD Supra July 23 | IREC Launches Project to Tackle Storage Interconnection Challenges | Utility Dive

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About IREC: The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) builds the foundation for rapid adoption of clean energy and energy efficiency, toward a 100% clean energy future that is reliable, resilient and equitable. IREC is an independent not-for-profit organization leading transformational work since 1982.