President’s Message August 2023

President’s Message August 2023

By Michael Bergey, DWEA President

Dangerous, record-breaking heat across the globe is bringing home the real impact of our continued use of fossil fuels. But also in the news is the impressive surge of domestic investments in clean energy and storage manufacturing, as well as project deployment, stemming from federal legislation enacted less than a year ago. Story after story, many coming from “red” states, tell the tales of new factory investments in wind, solar, and storage, including the jobs that will ensue. President Biden’s and Congressional Democrats’ big bet on aggressive industrial policy to change the trajectory of CO2 emissions in the U.S. and build huge new clean energy industries appear to be paying off. It may well be the new jobs, and not the heat, that most effectively help erode Republican opposition to all thing’s climate change. One can hope.

Meanwhile, the work at DWEA continues. We were not successful in getting distributed wind inserted in the $7 billion EPA “Solar for All” program, but we did accomplish having a reserve fund for USDA REAP included in a “marker bill” that will help influence the critically important 2023 Farm Bill. We have yet to learn whether our request to the Treasury Department to allow the use of imported towers for distributed wind projects up to 1 MW to qualify for the Sec. 48 10-percent domestic content bonus. On the horizon is a multi-technology campaign to close the gap between the Sec. 48 and the Sec. 25D (residential) tax incentives.

So please, stay out of the heat but do publicize even your smallest business accomplishments in order that your voice is added to the good news on clean energy jobs and investment growth. You will be helping yourself and DWEA’s ongoing mission.

Guide DWEA’s 2022 Policy Priorities

Guide DWEA’s 2022 Policy Priorities

Support Distributed Wind for Community Empowerment & Energy Resilience

Please take 5 minutes to complete a short survey about policies you’d like to see DWEA prioritize this year.

If you represent an organization or business that supports local clean energy – let us know if we can include your logo as a supporter to make your voice heard!

We have a short window to shore up support in key states including WV, VT, OH, AK, CA, NY, IA, MN, MI, OR
and others for distributed & community wind incentives!

DWEA and our federal policy director Lloyd Ritter are working hard to advance distributed and community wind.
Join more than 200 current supporters!

Spread the Word!
Share this post and help build DWEA’s growing group of members and partners advancing local distributed and community wind.

For more info: email advocacy@distributedwind.org

Distributed Wind 2022

Distributed Wind 2022

Distributed Wind 2022, Feb 28 – Mar 3 in Washington DC


DWEA’s annual business conference and lobby day is your best opportunity to learn what’s new in behind-the-meter distributed wind, including DOE’s exciting new programs to advance distributed wind’s contribution to clean energy and resiliency.  DWEA’s half-day “DW on the Hill” event allows the industry and its supporter to take our message to Congressional leaders.  The agenda, registration and highly discounted hotel reservations are available HERE.

Distributed Wind Energy Association’s Support of Energy Justice: Black Lives Matter

July 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has exposed major weaknesses in our economy and deep-seated inequalities in our society, hitting the most vulnerable people the hardest.

In advancing distributed clean energy, DWEA is working to recognize and address systemic energy injustices with resilient local resources prioritizing healthy and vibrant communities. DWEA members are working to ensure disadvantaged community members have affordable access to distributed energy resources, directly benefit from distributed wind energy generation, and have a voice in decisions. All DWEA members are invited to highlight ways the distributed wind industry can further support economic and racial justice.

Distributed wind energy can play a strong role in reducing inequality in our communities, providing well-paid jobs, and supporting a just economy to address the climate crisis.

Ideas for specific near-term actions:

  • Strengthen diversity of association and speakers at events; build relationships with organizations led by people of color such as AABE, 100% Network, Grid Alternatives
  • Enhance consumer protection and site selection to support cost-effective wind turbine purchasing and ownership (urban rooftops – buyer beware)
  • Identify and coordinate with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs)[1]  that are located in areas with good potential DW markets
  • Host learning session with HBCU leadership (Energy Managers, Business Managers, Sustainability Coordinators, etc.) to highlight opportunities and business case for distributed wind at nearby facilities
  • Work with NREL and private industry to make internships available to under-represented inner-city high school and HBCU students with an interest in science and technology, energy generation, renewable energy, etc.
  • Work with NREL to sponsor a competition among HBCU teams of students to build the best scaled down versions of wind turbine components and entire turbines.  Part of the scoring criteria would be how well the teams are able to quantitatively demonstrate performance.
  • Other? Please send ideas to Heather c/o info@distributedwind.org[


Distributed Generation: Eastern Colorado’s Clean Energy Future

DWEA Hosts Distributed Generation Workshop in Yuma, CO

Yuma, CO – On December 4th the Distributed Wind Energy Association (DWEA) will host a full-day Distributed Generation (DG) Workshop at the Community Center in Yuma, CO. The workshop is the second in DWEA’s “State of the State” initiative which is bringing community workshops aimed at increasing exposure about market opportunities in distributed generation to key states. The full-day workshop costs $15-$25 to attend and includes lunch and a networking reception. Space is limited and registration is required.

Colorado is a leader in distributed generation installations, ranking eighth nationally for distributed wind and eleventh for solar capacity. With over 27.3 MW of installed capacity and a significant economic potential in Yuma County alone of 35-70 MW, Colorado stands ready to lead in the national US distributed wind market’s growth. The distributed generation industries are poised to grow dramatically over the next few years. The Colorado DG Workshop provides the perfect opportunity to explore how homeowners, farmers, and businesses can leverage distributed renewable energy resources for local economic benefit.

Attendees will hear from distributed wind and solar manufacturers, project developers, and operations and maintenance providers as well as policy makers and industry experts on the fundamentals of DG, success stories, policy updates, and market opportunities in Colorado. For a mid-day highlight, Former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter will give the keynote address and discuss the role of distributed generation in the new energy economy while highlighting opportunities for Colorado to continue to be a leader in DG.

“Colorado already has an advanced distributed wind market, as evidenced by the diversity of industry manufacturers, project developers, installers, and research facilities as well as top ten rankings for installed wind capacity, but we want to help the market grow to reach its full potential,” said Jennifer Jenkins, DWEA Executive Director. “Distributed wind provides unique opportunities for farmers, businesses, homeowners, and communities to control their energy costs and boost their bottom lines by producing their own clean, renewable energy. Colorado, with its abundant wind and land resource, presents a significant opportunity for on-site power projects and local job creation. We are thrilled to host this event,” Jenkins continued.

“The rapid growth of on-site renewable energy in Colorado has concentrated in the more urban and suburban communities, leaving the rural and agricultural regions of the state underserved. If rural electric cooperatives, state and local officials, and distributed energy developers work together, an untapped market can be realized and lead to economic opportunities for all stakeholders,” said Russell Tencer, United Wind CEO and DWEA Board President.

Rural cooperatives and utilities, farmers and agricultural producers, state and local policy makers, cleantech industry members and advocates, and all other interested parties are invited to participate. The full Colorado Distributed Generation Workshop agenda, registration information, and additional details are available at https://distributedwind.org/event/colorado-distributed-generation-workshop/.

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The Distributed Wind Energy Association is a collaborative group comprised of manufacturers, distributors, project developers, dealers, installers, and advocates, whose primary mission is to promote and foster all aspects of the American distributed wind energy industry. Distributed wind, commonly referred to as small and community wind, is the use of typically smaller wind turbines at homes, farms, businesses, and public facilities to off-set all or a portion of on-site energy consumption. DWEA represents members from all sectors with relevant interests pertaining to the distributed wind industry. For more information on DWEA, please go to www.distributedwind.org. Follow us on Twitter @DWEA and like us on Facebook.

For more information: 

Jennifer Jenkins, Distributed Wind Energy Association
jjenkins@distributedwind.org, (928) 380-6012

All Eyes on Kansas to Reinvigorate America’s Heartland

CEBC and DWEA co-host Distributed Generation Workshop in Wichita, KS


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 19, 2017

Wichita, KS – On September 27th the Clean Energy Business Council (CEBC) and Kansas Department of Commerce in partnership with the Distributed Wind Energy Association (DWEA) will host a half-day Distributed Generation (DG) Workshop following the Kansas Energy Conference (September 26-27) at the DoubleTree by Hilton Wichita Airport in Wichita, Kansas. The half-day DG Workshop will follow the conference on September 27th and is available as a complimentary add-on for full conference attendees and available to others at a nominal cost. Space is limited and registration is required.

The DG workshop will kick-off the CEBC’s “Around the State” initiative, which will include a total of four community workshops aimed at increasing exposure about market opportunities in renewable energy within Kansas. The workshop will also mark the beginning of a series of state-focused distributed wind outreach events to be hosted by DWEA and member companies as part of DWEA’s State Policy Program.

“The Clean Energy Business Council (CEBC) is exploring how businesses can capitalize on distributed energy resources in Kansas and the Greater Kansas City Metro. The DG workshop is a perfect venue for stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and next steps to make Kansas a leader in distributed generation. While Kansas has excelled in utility scale wind power, we’ve barely scratched the service for distributed solar and wind. We’re excited to see the synergy distributed wind and solar companies create through the CEBC,” said Dorothy Barnett, Executive Director of CEBC. “Many of our business members have expressed an interest in developing the Kansas distributed wind market. Distributed wind provides unique opportunities for farmers, businesses, homeowners, and communities to control their energy costs and boost their bottom lines by producing their own clean, renewable energy. Kansas, with its abundant wind and land resource, presents a significant opportunity for on-site power projects. We are thrilled to partner on this event,” said Jennifer Jenkins, Executive Director of DWEA.

Workshop attendees will hear from distributed wind and solar manufacturers, project developers, and operations and maintenance providers as well as policy makers and industry experts on the fundamentals of DG, success stories, policy updates, and market opportunities in Kansas.

“On-site energy technology, like distributed wind, is a tool for creating local economic prosperity. Not only can a small wind system help a farmer stabilize their electricity rates and ultimately save over the long-term, but growth of the industry in Kansas will lead to the creation of great local jobs and attract new industries looking to procure on-site renewable energy,” said Jason Kaplan, General Counsel at United Wind, as well as DWEA and CEBC member.

Rural cooperatives and utilities, farmers and agricultural producers, state and local policy makers, cleantech industry members and advocates, project developers, corporate purchasers, and all other interested parties are invited to participate. The full Kansas Energy Conference and Distributed Generation Workshop agenda, registration information, and additional details are available at http://cleanenergyforbusiness.com//ks-energy-conference

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The Clean Energy Business Council originated in 2016 to identify and make progress on advanced energy barriers businesses face in Kansas and the Greater Kansas City Area. The Council is a member-driven initiative, comprised of business leaders and other members passionate about harvesting corporate economic opportunities in the areas of clean energy and energy efficiency. The Clean Energy Business Council works collaboratively through complex energy issues by engaging on the legislative and regulatory levels, building a strong network of businesses, and providing its members with rich educational and networking resources. The Council is a program of the Climate + Energy Project. www.cleanenergyforbusiness.com

The Distributed Wind Energy Association is a collaborative group comprised of manufacturers, distributors, project developers, dealers, installers, and advocates, whose primary mission is to promote and foster all aspects of the American distributed wind energy industry. Distributed wind, commonly referred to as small and community wind, is the use of typically smaller wind turbines at homes, farms, businesses, and public facilities to off-set all or a portion of on-site energy consumption. DWEA represents members from all sectors with relevant interests pertaining to the distributed wind industry. For more information on DWEA, please go to www.distributedwind.org. Follow us on Twitter @DWEA and like us on Facebook.

For more information:
Dorothy Barnett, Clean Energy Business Council
barnett@climateandenergy.org, (785) 424-0444

Jennifer Jenkins, Distributed Wind Energy Association
jjenkins@distributedwind.org, (928) 380-6012