Carbon emissions from the power sector hit a 27-year low

Carbon dioxide emissions produced by the U.S. electric power sector hit a 27-year low in April, the lowest amount for any month since April 1988, according to new figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The finding comes days after the EPA finalized the Clean Power Plan, a landmark regulation that aims to accelerate carbon cuts from existing power plants, to achieve a 32 percent industry-wide reduction by 2030.

Opening salvos in California's rooftop solar struggle

California’s investor-owned utilities and the solar industry unveiled dramatically differing visions for a new solar tariff in filings submitted Monday with the state Public Utilities Commission. The California Solar Energy Industries Association, one of several solar industry groups to weigh in, has proposed an extension of the current solar tariff until at least 2019 to ensure the industry can weather the expiration of a key federal tax credit that offsets nearly one-third of the costs for adopting solar. The second option from SDG&E includes several new components, starting with a $21 fixed access fee, a small portion of which would pay for public programs such as subsidies for low-income customers and energy efficiency programs.

San Bernardino County supervisors streamline process for rooftop solar systems

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved an ordinance that will establish an expedited, streamlined process for residents living in houses and duplexes to install solar panels on their roofs. Those qualifying for the streamlined permit process for rooftop solar system installation will also be eligible for a permit fee waiver under a program approved by the Board of Supervisors in June 2010, which was implemented to encourage residents to use solar panels and other energy-efficient systems.

SolarCity’s nonprofit will light 1,000 off-grid schools this year

SolarCity’s previously self-funded GivePower Foundation is now a 501(c)(3) and is accepting donations from the public. The foundation "lit 511 schools in Africa and Central America" last year, and with a recent $500,000 donation from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, it "expects to light an additional 1,000 schools by the end of 2015" in Mali, Nicaragua, Kenya, Haiti, Uganda, Nigeria, Malawi, Nepal, and Ghana. The foundation hopes to light a school in a developing country for each megawatt of solar power SolarCity installs in the U.S.

Big solar project planned at Shadow Cliffs Park in Pleasanton

The East Bay Regional Park district is betting big on solar power, big enough to offset nearly all the energy used at its 65 regional parks in two counties. The agency plans an $8 million solar project at Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area to generate up to 1.2 megawatts of electricity, roughly as much power as used by 800 to 1,000 homes. Expected to generate some $535,000 a year in credits on the park district's utility bills, the project will pay for itself in 12 to 15 years, park officials estimate.