Resource Library

An excerpt on Net Metering from the 2011 NNEC "Freeing the Grid Best Practices in State Net Metering Policies and Interconnection Procedures." Page 13 addresses allowing "rollover" for excess generation.

An excerpt on Net Metering from the 2011 NNEC "Freeing the Grid Best Practices in State Net Metering Policies and Interconnection Procedures." Page 16 addresses Extra Charges or Fees.

This section recommends best practices for interconnection procedures.

This source provides case studies and best practices around implementing interconnection and net-metering standards.

A guide for local governments that gives an overview of the best practices for Interconnection Standards. Page 84 addresses liability insurance.

An excerpt on Net Metering from the 2011 NNEC "Freeing the Grid Best Practices in State Net Metering Policies and Interconnection Procedures." Page 15 addresses meter aggregation.

An excerpt on Net Metering from the 2011 NNEC "Freeing the Grid Best Practices in State Net Metering Policies and Interconnection Procedures." Page 12 addresses Net Metering cumulative capacity limit.

An excerpt on Net Metering from the 2011 NNEC "Freeing the Grid Best Practices in State Net Metering Policies and Interconnection Procedures." Page 14 addresses REC ownership

An excerpt on Net Metering from the 2011 NNEC "Freeing the Grid Best Practices in State Net Metering Policies and Interconnection Procedures." Page 15 addresses retail choice customers.

The data and case studies contained in this document reflect current engineering and scientific best practices for siting solar PV projects on municipal landfills. The EPA and NREL, along with state and local partners, have examined many of these projects and reviewed current designs and approaches in an ongoing effort to identify best practices.

The NNEC report gives an overview of Best Practices by each state to enable and encourage Distributive Generation. Page 16 addresses third-Party owned systems.

An excerpt on Net Metering from the 2011 NNEC "Freeing the Grid Best Practices in State Net Metering Policies and Interconnection Procedures." Page 13 addresses Time-of-Use Net Metering.

This easy-to-read guide describes best practices and approaches for successful and efficient procurement, design, construction, and operation of ground-source heat pump systems. Some engineering concepts are used within the guide, but non-HVAC engineers as well as those with no engineering background should be able to follow most of the discussion.

This report for the Regulatory Assistance Project examines best practices in electric utility integrated resource planning. It discusses specific integrated resource plan (IRP) statutes, regulations, and processes in Arizona, Colorado, and Oregon, as well as "model" utility IRPs from Arizona Public Service, Public Service Company of Colorado, and PacifiCorp. It develops recommendations for the resource planning process and constituent elements of IRPs, such as load forecasts, reserves and reliability, demand-side management, supply options, fuel prices, existing resources, and environmental costs and constraints.

This guidebook outlines the scope of a successful O&M program, discusses system monitoring and performance, and suggests how to implement an O&M plan.

The Better Buildings Challenge supports commercial and industrial building owners by providing technical assistance and proven solutions to energy efficiency. The program also provides a forum for matching Partners and Allies to enhance collaboration and problem solving in energy efficiency. Both Partners and Allies are publically recognized for their leadership and innovation in energy efficiency.

This section of Sonoma County's General Plan established the minimum standards for bioenergy production facilities, including ethanol, biodiesel and biogas, and related power generation and cogeneration facilities. It describes development standards related to setbacks and regulatory compliance, as well as limitations to their use.

This paper briefly describes the knowledge gained during bioenergy project permitting efforts in Florida, along with possible pitfalls and concerns that should be addressed while permitting such projects and the critical questions that should be asked of the applicant before and after an application is received.

In 2012, The East Bay Municipal Utility District became the first wastewater treatment plant in North America to produce more renewable energy onsite than is needed to run the facility. This monumental accomplishment was made possible when EBMUD installed an energy-efficient, low-emission gas turbine in 2011. The District sells excess renewable energy back to the electrical grid to cut fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions, and provides savings for EBMUD ratepayers. Biogas production saves EBMUD approximately $3 million each year by reducing electric power demand.

The Biogas Opportunities Roadmap is a voluntary strategy for the agriculture sector to reduce methane emissions, jointly created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, and the Environmental Protection Agency. It builds on progress made to date to identify voluntary actions that can be taken to reduce methane emissions through the use of biogas systems and outlines strategies to overcome barriers limiting further expansion and development of a robust biogas industry in the United States.

This document provides a detailed technology characterization of biomass CHP systems. The report reviews the technical and economic characterization of biomass resources, biomass preparation, energy conversion technologies, power production systems, and complete integrated systems.

Oregon's 2010 House Bill 3649 specifies eligible forms of biomass and biomass by-products whose electricity may be used to comply with the state's renewable portfolio standard. Under the bill's conditional limitations, non-eligible forms of biomass include non-organic municipal solid waste and wood that has been treated with chemical preservatives.

This IEA Energy Technology Essentials brief on biomass provides an overview of biomass technologies, including various biomass sources, co-firing, and gasification, as well as describes typical costs and barriers.

The Bright Schools Program is an initiative of the California Energy Commission (CEC) that provides technical assistance services up to $20,000 of the CEC's consultant costs. Eligible applicants include: K-12 Public School Districts, Charter Schools, State Special Schools, County Offices of Education, and Community Colleges. The cost of a study depends on the facility size, type and scope of the project. If the cost of the study exceeds $20,000, the school may opt to share in the cost or reduce the scope. The CEC contracts with experienced engineering and architectural consultants who provide the technical assistance.

This report provides comprehensive understanding to date of how schools are using and financing solar energy and the potential for still more schools to benefit from the technology. According to the report, there are currently 3,752 K-12 schools with solar installations, meaning nearly 2.7 million students attend schools with solar energy systems. These PV systems have a combined capacity of 490 megawatts (MW), and generate roughly 642,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity each year, equivalent to $77.8 million worth of utility bills and enough clean, renewable energy to offset 50 million gallons of gasoline. Solar potential on schools remains largely untapped. Of the 125,000 K-12 schools in the country, up to 72,000 schools (60%) can "go solar" cost-effectively. Approximately 450 individual schools districts have the potential to save more than $1 million over 30 years by installing a solar PV system.