VERGE 20 is moving online — enabling you to stream a full week of clean economy programming from anywhere in the world, at no cost!
By registering for this complimentary online event, you’ll be able to stream (live or on-demand) inspiring and informative sessions along with more than 15,000 leaders — from the private and public sectors, utilities, solution providers, investors, and startups — advancing systemic solutions to address the climate crisis through five key markets: clean energy, electrified transportation, the circular economy, carbon removal and sustainable food systems.
Climate change is the most significant global threat we face today. It also represents an unprecedented opportunity to build a clean economy by electrifying and decarbonizing our world, equitably and profitably.
If you can’t watch it live, registering will give you access to the archived video and resources — available to you on-demand following the event.
If you have any questions, contact the GreenBiz support team.
Click here to subscribe to GreenBiz’s free weekly newsletters.
The USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) seeks applications for loan guarantees and grants for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvement projects.
- Applications for Grants of $20,000 or Less and Loan/Grant of $20,000 or Less Combo Applications due by November 2, 2020, or March 31, 2021.
- Applications for Unrestricted Grants or Loan/Unrestricted Grant Combo Applications due by March 31, 2021.
- Guaranteed Loans are accepted on a continuous application cycle.
Program Fact Sheet
Hoja Informativa del Programa en Español
For more information contact Nebraska Energy Coordinator Jeff Carpenter at
402-437-5554 or jeff.carpenter@usda.gov.
USDA Rural Development State Office
Suite 308 Federal Building
100 Centennial Mall North
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
RESOURCES FOR NEW FARMERS & RANCHERS
The USDA sponsors the development of a new series of extension materials designed specifically with new farmers in mind. Called “Energy Answers for the Beginning Farmer & Rancher,” it utilizes farm energy experts from university extension programs across the country to answer hot-topic energy questions. The main product of the project is a series of short, engaging videos and resources that give useful tips and information on farm energy. Contributing extension programs include Illinois, Michigan State, Nebraska, Penn State, Rutgers, Virginia Tech, and Wisconsin.
- Learn more & see a list of the YouTube videos, including several about solar energy, here.
- Videos include: What is it like to apply for farm energy incentive programs like REAP?
Links to additional resources for solar-powering farm operations & farmhouses:
The federal solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is 26% to the end of 2020, dropping to 22% in 2021 and 10% for commercial and utility-scale projects and 0 for residential projects in 2022.
Source: Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)
Obtaining a REAP grant, which provides 25% of the cost of a renewable energy system or energy efficiency improvement project, plus the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) of 26% would reduce the price by more than half. Equipment depreciation is an additional benefit available for businesses to cut the cost even more.
Nebraskans for Solar Resources
- Nebraskans for Solar Directory. Several businesses in our directory install small wind and geothermal systems in addition to solar projects.
- Nebraskans for Solar’s Solar Examples include a number of on-farm solar projects. See more photos on our Facebook page.
- Links to Incentives, Depreciation & Net Metering Resources (1-Page PDF)
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE): Nebraska Dollar and Energy Saving Loans
Department of Energy Resource: Farmer’s Guide to Going Solar
News Release, Nebraska Wind & Solar Conference Planning Committee
The 13th Annual Nebraska Wind & Solar Conference scheduled for November 9-10, 2020 has been postponed due to COVID-19 based restrictions and health risks. The Planning Committee feels the face-to-face interaction and networking between participants and Conference exhibitors and sponsors is an important component of the annual Conference. “The safety of our participants and the need for our participants to freely visit with each other were the primary considerations,” said Conference Chair John Hansen.
The next annual Nebraska Wind & Solar Conference will be held on November 8-10, 2021 at the Lincoln Cornhusker Marriott.
The Planning Committee is also working to develop virtual outreach opportunities to share information about the issues and progress within the industry. “There are many exciting developments going on in both the wind and solar industries,” Conference Chairman John Hansen said.
The Planning Committee encourages everyone wanting more information on the wide range of issues facing wind and solar energy development to visit the Conference website at www.nebraskawsc.com. The website includes an extensive library of recent presentations from leading state and nationwide industry experts as well as past Conference presentations. Past expert presentations can be found under “Resources” and are organized by year and topic on the website. The Planning Committee urges you to take full advantage of the resources our website has to offer.
Details regarding virtual outreach and the 2021 Conference will be posted on the Conference website as they develop. To sign-up for email updates, please visit the Conference website.
The Planning Committee thanks everyone for their past support and looks forward to seeing you next year.
The next OPPD Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Friday, November 13, at 4 p.m. and will be held at the Omaha Douglas Civic Center Legislative Chamber, 2nd Floor and also via a Webex Events audio/video conference.
The November public board committee meeting will be virtual on Tuesday, November 10. Visit OPPD.com/CommitteeAgenda to attend, starting at 9:45 a.m.
Recent OPPD News Release: OPPD continues to engage communities on generation plans
Omaha Public Power District is making great strides in its plan to add utility-scale solar with natural gas backup, including continuing conversations with customers. Over the past several months, the team behind the project, known as Power with Purpose (PwP), has been laying the groundwork for the solar portion of the project. Sourcing work is underway to add between 400 and 600 megawatts (MW) of accredited solar capacity. This capacity is needed to maintain reliability and resiliency of the system as our communities grow.
The National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project will facilitate a virtual workshop to help families understand how energy is used in their homes, find ways to reduce energy waste, and understand options for integrating renewable energy in the home.
NEED began as a one-day celebration of energy education when National Energy Education Day was recognized by a Joint Congressional Resolution.
The process to decarbonize power systems is complicated. Grid operators are tasked with balancing affordability and reliability as more renewable energy comes online. Utilities must find the right mix of energy resources to decarbonize while planning for extreme weather events. Meanwhile, the imperative to increase renewable energy and take bold action on climate change grows more intense by the day.
In this webcast, experts will discuss how to assess the economic, scientific, and political nexus to find the optimal path to decarbonize the electricity sector. Join us to learn about the missing pieces of the decarbonization puzzle and how 100% renewable power can practically, affordably and quickly become a reality.
Moderator:
- Sarah Golden, Senior Energy Analyst & VERGE Energy Chair, GreenBiz
Speakers:
- Jussi Heikkinen, Director, Growth & Development, Americas, Wärtsilä
- Bruce Nilles, Executive Director, Climate Imperative
If you can’t tune in live, please register and GreenBiz will email you a link to access the archived webcast footage and resources, available to you on-demand after the webcast.
About This Event
Are you a military veteran or transitioning service member looking for an exciting career in a growing industry with a bright future? Are you a veteran working in the solar industry but looking to advance in your career? If so, please join this online event on November 19th, 2020 for a solar career connection building experience!
The Solar Ready Vets Network has invited veterans with significant solar industry experience to facilitate this event as industry mentors in virtual breakout rooms. These mentors will lead small group conversations with military talent who are looking to meet their next challenge and forge their own solar career path, advance within the solar industry, or bolster their solar credentials.
Participate in energizing conversations with those who made the journey from serving in the U.S. military to pursuing rewarding careers in the solar industry.
Note: This event is primarily geared towards veterans and service members who are interested in solar careers, with limited or no experience in the solar industry. If you are a more seasoned solar industry professional, you are welcome to join and share insights, however, we would ask that you allow the career changers and job seekers space to ask their questions.
For questions, please reach out to Becky Long: blong@seia.org.
We must move faster and smarter to transform and decarbonize our energy system. Climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, related economic challenges, and social inequity are among the challenges we are facing as we work to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Join thought leaders to discuss opportunities to effectively scale new low- and no-carbon technologies, rapidly deploy capital to mitigate global warming, and provide affordable, reliable energy solutions to all.
The symposium will consist of plenary sessions, award presentations, panel discussions, and a virtual reception with live student poster presentations.
For the first time, this normally invitation-only event will be open to all who would like to attend.
Schedule, speaker bios, and more information available at www.c3eawards.org/2020.
About The C3E Initiative
The U.S. Department of Energy, MIT Energy Initiative, Stanford’s Precourt Institute for Energy, and the Texas A&M Energy Institute collaborate to implement the U.S. Clean Energy Education and Empowerment (C3E) Initiative. Closing the gender gap and increasing the participation, leadership, and success of women in clean energy fields are the goals of the U.S. C3E Initiative.