Electrical Systems Subgroup Meeting

Electrical Systems Subgroup Meeting

March 25-26 at the JW Marriott in Washington, D.C.

Meeting Registration | Agenda | Hotel | Participants | DW15 Sponsorship


Thank You to Our SMART Wind Electrical Meeting Sponsors:

Intertek

 

UL logoThe SMART Wind Electrical Subgroup will be held after the Distributed Wind 2015 Business Conference and Hill Event. The subgroup will meet for dinner on March 25 and all day March 26. Click to register for Electrical Systems Subgroup or Full Conference pass.

 

Registration Rates (not including Eventbrite Fee):

Type

Early Bird
(by 2/28)

Regular
(thru 3/25) 

Onsite or
after 3/25

SMART Wind Electrical Subgroup
DWEA/AWEA Member/Non-Profit/Govt

Free

$25

$75

SMART Wind Electrical Subgroup
Non Member

$50

$100

$125

SMART Wind Electrical Subgroup
Off  site 

N/A

(thru 3/26)

$50

N/A

Distributed Wind Energy Association Applauds USDA Final REAP Program Rule on Eve of USDA REAP Forum

Distributed Wind Energy Association Applauds USDA Final REAP Program Rule on Eve of USDA REAP Forum

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.

IRS will require small wind turbines be certified

IRS will require small wind turbines be certified

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.

Distributed Wind Energy Association Applauds USDA Final REAP Program Rule on Eve of USDA REAP Forum

Congress has opportunity to restore stability to distributed wind markets

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.