by Britton Rife | May 5, 2015 | News
Pika recently worked with winemaker Tom Mincarelli , who is located at 3,200 feet above sea level in Black Mountain, North Carolina. He is off-grid with Pika’s T701 wind turbine and B801 Battery Charge Controller. Tom is an installer and has a great site for wind, which is why he’s had turbines for more than 25 years! He has been thrilled with the performance of the Pika T701.
“I’ve lived next to wind generators for more than 25 years and this is the first time I can hear the natural sounds around me.” –Tim Mincarelli
by DWEA Site Admin | Mar 23, 2015 | Lobby day 2015, News
New white paper from Distributed Wind Energy Association (DWEA) lays road map for growth of “behind the meter” distributed wind in America.
WASHINGTON DC – On the eve of their annual Business Conference and Lobby day, the Distributed Wind Energy Association (DWEA) released the Distributed Wind Vision, which highlights the vast potential of the distributed wind sector. This new white paper outlines the strategies to reach 30 GW of “behind-the-meter” wind generation by 2030. The document showcases what a true American small business success story this industry is, with over 90% of the small and medium systems installed in America in 2014 manufactured here. These American-made turbines have to potential to provide electricity to homes, farms, businesses, and public facilities across all 50 states.
To achieve 30 GW of Distributed Wind by 2030 DWEA recommends the following policies:
- Remove the 100 kW cap on the small wind Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and provide a long-term extension of the ITC
- Enact a 40% ITC for residential wind systems up to 20 kW as part of the ITC extension
- Increase the U.S. Department of Energy budget overall and for Distributed Wind RD&D to at least 15% of the DOE wind budget as part of a new focused DOE initiative on distributed wind
- Maintain funding for the USDA REAP program through and beyond the current farm bill
- Encourage states and utilities to provide incentives for distributed wind on par with the solar
incentives they have successfully employed to grow their solar markets.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of this new Vision, distributed wind is a true homegrown industry that is generating clean, affordable electricity, while keeping Americans at work,” said Jennifer Jenkins, Executive Director of the Distributed Wind Energy Association. “The U.S. distributed wind energy supply chain is made up of hundreds of manufacturing facilities and vendors spread across the country — supporting jobs in manufacturing, retail, construction and maintenance. This is a critical time for our industry, but with the right policies in place at the state and federal levels, we have to potential to be the next clean tech boom.”
Smart policies that grow the market and advance the technology of distributed wind also provide important benefits in addition to the 150,000 jobs created, including: economic development serving primarily rural areas, additional clean energy choices for Americans, strengthening the grid, promoting resilience and more.
Read the full document here.
Members of the media are invited to attend the Business Conference and Distributed Wind 101 sessions and can RSVP to lglickman[at]distributedwind.org for more information.
View the full agenda here.
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About the Distributed Wind Energy Association
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 is the use of wind turbines at homes, farm and ranches, businesses, public and industrial facilities, off-grid and other sites connected either physically or virtually on the customer side of the meter to offset all or a portion of local energy consumption or to support grid operations. DWEA seeks to represent members and associates 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.
by DWEA Site Admin | Feb 5, 2015 | News
Washington DC — Today the Distributed Wind Energy Association (DWEA) lauded USDA’s recent announcement of a final rule for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This rule-making process has been years in the making, and DWEA has been an active participant since the beginning. The core program is still providing grants and loan guarantees to rural small businesses, farmers and others in the agricultural community. However, positive adjustments have been made including a new simplified “three tiered” application process, more frequent solicitations, and priority points for specific policy priorities such as the advancement of distributed wind power.
“The REAP program has always been a very good one, strongly supported on a bi-partisan basis to help expand development of rural America’s abundant renewable energy resources,” said Jennifer Jenkins, DWEA’s Executive Director. “Now it’s an even better program helping ensure distributed wind power’s continued role in bringing clean, affordable and homegrown electricity to rural America. I am pleased to see the efforts of the USDA for it’s great work on the program.”
“This program helps farmers and rural businesses lower their operating costs and become more competitive by installing American-made small wind turbines,” said DWEA President, Mike Bergey. “Recent improvements to the program have made it more accessible to family farms and small businesses and we are very appreciative of the streamlining of the application process.”
Mike Bergey of Bergey Windpower and DWEA President will be on a panel Friday February 6th to discuss the importance of the REAP program. USDA’s “National Stakeholder Forum” will run from 1 to 3pm and also include remarks by USDA dignitaries, and be broadcast via webinar for those unable to attend in person. For more information contact Venus Welch-White on 202-720-0400 or venus.welchwhite@wdc.usda.gov.
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About the Distributed Wind Energy Association
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 is the use of wind turbines at homes, farm and ranches, businesses, public and industrial facilities, off-grid and other sites connected either physically or virtually on the customer side of the meter to offset all or a portion of local energy consumption or to support grid operations. DWEA seeks to represent members and associates 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.
by DWEA Site Admin | Jan 20, 2015 | News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2015
IRS will require small wind turbines be certified
Distributed wind industry views performance and quality assurances at the Federal level as a positive step for successful deployment of distributed wind projects in U.S.
WASHINGTON DC –
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued Notice 2015-4 providing new performance and quality standards that require certification of small wind turbines – defined as having a nameplate capacity of up to 100 kW – in order to qualify for the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC).
“Distributed wind power for homes, farms, and small business is generating clean, affordable and homegrown electricity across all 50 states and as the market grows, it’s of critical importance to ensure high quality products make it to market” said Jennifer Jenkins, Executive Director of the Distributed Wind Energy Association. “These certification requirements provide performance and quality assurance for consumers, government agencies and the industry, and help to ensure the successful implementation of distributed wind projects domestically.”
“The new certification requirement addresses the small, but persistent segment at the fringe of the industry that make wild assertions on efficiency, performance, and the their special ability to work on buildings or very short towers. Now, in order to qualify for the federal tax credits, they will have to prove these claims to third-party experts. That will be very challenging or impossible for unproven designs with exaggerated performance, but will not pose a major barrier for the industry leaders”, added Jenkins.
Effective for small wind turbines acquired or placed in service after January 26, 2015, the guidance requires that qualifying small wind manufacturers provide certification to either: (1) American Wind Energy Association Small Wind Turbine Performance and Safety Standard 9.1-2009 (AWEA); or (2) International Electrotechnical Commission 61400-1, 61400-12, and 61400-11 (IEC). The certification must be issued by an eligible certifier, which is defined as a third party, that is accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation or other similar accreditation
body. Documentation establishing that the turbine meets the new requirements must be provided to taxpayers in order to claim the credit.
“As an industry, we have been working for many years to strengthen the credibility and reliability of our products,” Jenkins continued. “I’m proud to note that our membership has been leading the way on this front, actively pursuing certification since 2010 and poised to comply with these new standards.”
Additional Information:
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) maintains a list of ratings of fully certified turbines for the U.S. market.
A list of Small Wind Certification Council (SWCC) Applicants can be found here. A similar list for the second certifying body, Intertek, can be found here
Notice 2015-4 is posted at: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-15-04.pdf. The notice reminds manufacturers that an erroneous certification may result in penalties: (a) Under section 7206 for fraud and making false statements; and (b) Under section 6701 for aiding and abetting an understatement of tax liability ($1,000 per return on which a credit is claimed in reliance on the certification). To help manufacturers and taxpayers understand the new IRS requirements, SWCC will develop and publish a set of FAQs on its website.
About the Distributed Wind Energy Association
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 is the use of wind turbines at homes, farm and ranches, businesses, public and industrial facilities, off-grid and other sites connected either physically or virtually on the customer side of the meter to offset all or a portion of local energy consumption or to support grid operations. DWEA seeks to represent members and associates 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.
by DWEA Site Admin | Dec 17, 2014 | News
The top state in the country for producing pork, Iowa produces billions of dollars a year from over 6,000 hog farms. With costs only rising, some farmers are looking for ways to cut down on bills. Combining two of Iowa’s strengths, hog farms and wind power, has the potential to save local farmers thousands of dollars every year by controlling input costs and eliminating electricity bills.
Rob Hach, the owner of Anemometry Specialists with his wife, Tara, started a division of the company called Wind and Solar Specialists, which focuses on developing projects for those interested in renewable energy. They work with the client from start to finish, meeting with farmers and utilities companies, helping with installation, guiding the process and seeing the project to its final steps. “We’ll go out and assess their need and put up a solar or turbine or a hybrid system with utilizing both resources,” said Hach. “Every project is different. We haven’t had an identical project yet. We’ll find out their electrical load, what their tax bill looks like, and we’ll get the right equipment. We really come in and we partner with our customers to make sure they’re getting the right equipment for their project.”
Two of his recent clients, Terry Murray and Arvid Baughman, have both installed Bergey turbines on their farms, receiving state and federal incentives to help build their turbines and erase a long-term cost of running their farms. Murray is a fifth generation Iowa farmer, running a 3,000-head hog farm. Murray is now saving nearly $10,000 a year, while Baughman is saving about $4,000 a year on his 750-hog farm. Murray’s four Bergey turbines have erased his electricity costs for the next 30 years. With land prices, fertilizer and other farm maintenance costs rising, the farmers were looking for a way to cut something out. “They wanted to no longer worry about their electric prices going up, and they wanted to do something about it,” said Hach.
Hach’s experience with renewable energy began when he was a child. In 1977, his father started selling wind turbines, and Hach remembers seeing them sit, temporarily, in the front yard before being transported to a client. In the 1980s, his father began working with larger turbines and following projects all over the nation. The Hach family left their farm in Iowa and traveled to Colorado, Maryland and Illinois before returning to Iowa. There, Hach began learning more about the field, and in 2002, he and Tara started their company. “Growing up, there were always people interested in generating their own electricity. They own it, it’s theirs, and they don’t have to pay for electricity again,” said Hach. “There’s always been an interest. It’s increasing these days, because people are aware of the environment and their surroundings and that they need to be doing something. We have a lot more consumers out there doing their research and understanding what the opportunity is.”
The company, which started with two employees, now boasts 30 people and is looking to expand. They already have a national presence, with projects extending from coast to coast. They are also developing partnerships with companies that provide similar things, in order to provide clients with complimentary services. Because government incentives for building turbines and solar panels are localized, the company looks for areas and clients where incentives are appealing. The incentives help fund projects, and vary from state to state and even region to region. “I like coming to work every day,” said Hach. “You feel good about what you’re doing. You drive by a project that you developed for a customer, and it looks great. You hear how happy they are about the project and it just feels good. It’s a wholesome feeling you have at the end of the day.”
The fight for renewable energy is constant, said Hach, who experiences constant changes in wind and solar energy federal incentives. Other energy resources, such as coal, oil and gas, have fixed incentives and do not face the same struggles. Hach wants to encourage consumers to make the choice to buy renewable energy and renewable fuels. Encouraging the implementation of clean and renewable energy can be done in two ways: “Legislatively by changing laws, which is slow and has a lot of hurdles,” said Hach, “And going to the store. Your dollars have more impact than your legislatures do. Choose who to buy a product from.”
Providing a demand for clean energy and fuel is the simplest, easiest way to encourage the support of businesses, farms and schools that use renewable energy sources. “They make a choice with their dollars,” said Hach, who selects his own products, such as beer and cell phone suppliers, based on the energy sources the companies use. “Companies such as Google and Microsoft are using more and more renewable energy to power their businesses. When I buy a product, I make sure I buy products from companies that buy their electricity from renewable energy,” said Hach. “We’re really in this together. Renewable energy is about employing people.”
by DWEA Site Admin | Dec 3, 2014 | News
Distributed wind industry urges Congress to pass a multi-year extension of the Investment Tax Credit and restore stability to the distributed wind market place.
WASHINGTON DC –
As Congress considers extensions of tax policies used by a variety of businesses, it is crucial that it includes a multi-year extension of the renewable energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC) at a minimum through 2015 as included in the EXPIRE Act, passed unanimously on a bipartisan basis by the Senate Finance Committee in April. The short-sited proposal to extend through the end of this year being debated in the House this week is simply not good policy or going to stop job losses and businesses shutting doors.
“Now is a critical moment for our industry,” said Jennifer Jenkins, the Executive Director of the Distributed Wind Energy Association. “Currently, 90% of all distributed turbines sold in the U.S. are manufactured here, creating a robust market place and American jobs. The three-week extension being considered by the House puts these jobs on the line as it does nothing to provide the certainty and stability needed to plan for the future.”
Distributed wind power is generating clean, affordable and homegrown electricity across all 50 states. This segment of the industry, if properly supported, could boast exponential growth as compared to current market penetration rates, particularly using new leasing models.
“I urge congress to act quickly and pass legislation that includes a multi-year extension of the ITC to ensure the continued growth and success of this clean, affordable and homegrown industry for generations to come. Allow us to help keep the lights on and Americans at work,” said Jenkins.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information
December 3, 2014 Lauren Glickman, Communications Manager
lglickman@distributedwind.org,
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About the Distributed Wind Energy Association
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 is the use of wind turbines at homes, farm and ranches, businesses, public and industrial facilities, off-grid and other sites connected either physically or virtually on the customer side of the meter to offset all or a portion of local energy consumption or to support grid operations. DWEA seeks to represent members and associates 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.
