Gov. Patrick signs Harvard Community Solar Garden bill into law - News - The Harvard Post - Harvard, MA

S2138, An Act Relative to Community Shared Solar Energy Systems in the Town of Harvard, the Harvard community solar legislation, was signed into law by Gov. Deval Patrick, allowing for community shared solar energy systems within the town to be exempt for taxes for 20 years after installation.

This legislation, sponsored by Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, and Rep. Jennifer Benson, D-Lunenburg, will effectively allow for off-site solar construction, remove ambiguities for tax applications and potentially increase the availability of solar energy to Harvard residents.

Read more: 

http://m.harvard.wickedlocal.com/article/20141118/NEWS/141116528

Sent from my iPhone

India's plan to stop importing coal deals another blow to Australia : Renew Economy

A key target is the delivery of electricity to 52 million households (more than 300 million people) who live beyond the grid. Despite a plan to attract $US50 billion of new investment building out a nationally interconnected transmission and distribution grid, Minister Goyal acknowledged the cost of extending the centralised grid to remote areas is prohibitive, particularly as most of these households live in poverty and cant afford the high cost of centralised electricity.

Whilst the target is for eventual delivery of electricity 24/7 for all, Minister Goyal acknowledged 4/7 (i.e. access to light and cooking in the evening) would be a massive improvement on the current total absence of supply. Distributed electricity generation and the roll-out of micro grids will be the near-term solution to addressing this key priority of the Modi government. This will involve small distributed solar systems with battery storage and LED lighting.

Read more:

http://reneweconomy.com.au/2014/indias-plan-stop-importing-coal-deals-another-blow-australia-68894

Solar Power Mini-Grid Opens Energy Access to Rural Laos - News 2013 - Sunlabob

Sunlabob and Fondation Energies pour le Monde this week announced the completion of a solar-powered mini-grid that is now delivering reliable, affordable electricity to nearly 500 people in a remote village in Luang Prabang Province, Laos.

Ban Houaypha, a village of 83 households, has limited job opportunities, low income levels, inadequate education and health services and no short-term outlook to receive electricity from the national electricity grid. The average household income is less than $2.50 a day.

The 6.5 kWp solar plant will distribute electricity through a decentralized village grid to households, a community center and five street lights. The Ban Houaypha mini-grid is the first step within the Fondation's long-term rural electrification strategy in Laos that aims to implement 15 solar village grids to provide energy access to at least 10,000 rural Laotians and contribute to the Lao Government's target of 90% electrification by 2020.

http://www.sunlabob.com/news-2013/solar-power-mini-grid-opens-energy-access-to-rural-laos.html