Orlando, FL - Released this week in the 2012 Annual Updates & Trends Report, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) reports on the dynamic renewable energy environment, including growing and changing markets, increased quality demands by consumers, and the year's regulatory successes which are integral to expanding residential and commercial use of clean energy across the U.S.

"This report offers details on how our work is facilitating a healthy marketplace for clean energy, including strengthening workforce readiness for the clean energy economy," said Jane Weissman, IREC Executive Director.

The report cites the top 10 most important state policy developments of 2011, and why each made the cut.

Other report highlights include:

  • How IREC has helped push to the forefront of state and federal policy discussions a greater understanding of the benefits of distributed generation (DG). Now16 states have incorporated either solar or DG procurement targets into their RPS requirements. Wholesale programs targeting DG were implemented in six states. Community solar programs were proposed and/or implemented in seven states.
  • The advancement of innovative solar policies and financing mechanisms such as third-party ownership, community solar, and the Morris Model, and successful wholesale market programs, improved land use and permitting processes.
  • A banner year for solar, with large increases in the number and average size of photovoltaic (PV) installations. The capacity of PV installations in 2011 more than doubled 2010. The price of PV modules declined, with total installed costs dropping by 14 percent for residential and 20 percent for non-residential installations.
  • Several significant milestones by the IREC Credentialing Program, expanding accreditation of quality educational training programs in new clean energy technologies, and raising the bar for the growing number of certificate-awarding clean energy and energy efficiency training programs across the U.S.
  • As national administrator of the Solar Instructor Training Network, IREC reports on the nine regional training providers conducting train-the-trainer programs. More than 700 instructor trainees have received solar training through their courses.

View the complete 2012 Annual Updates & Trends Report at www.irecusa.org.

 

About IREC
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) is a non-profit organization accelerating the use of renewable energy since 1982. IREC's programs and policies lead to easier, more affordable connection to the utility grid; fair credit for renewable energy produced; best practices for states, municipalities, utilities and industry; and quality assessment for the growing clean energy workforce.