Gov. Donald L. Carcieri’s recent opinion article in the Providence Business News, titled “R.I. has plentiful, re-newable energy sources to tap,” was indicative of the efforts of the governor and his energy policy adviser, Andrew C. Dzykewicz, to shut down the thriving solar energy industry in Rhode Island.
Since Governor Carcieri unveiled his five-point energy plan 10 months ago, the solar incentives that have been responsible for many successful photovoltaic installations throughout the state have been cancelled, causing one of the fastest-growing industries in the state to collapse.
Seifert Systems Invests in Energy Efficiency to Strengthen Operations
For manufacturers, energy is more than just another operating expense. It plays a critical role…
Learn More
In the governor’s article, he blatantly omitted mention of solar energy when discussing the abundant renewable energy sources available in the state.
On Oct. 1, at a seminar at the University of Rhode Island entitled “Renewable energy in Rhode Island,” Dzykewicz discussed every renewable energy resource in Rhode Island with the exception of solar energy.
When asked by an audience member whether solar energy was a viable option, the energy adviser responded that photovoltaic systems, which generate electricity from the sun’s energy, “cost $15 per watt and are too expensive” – a statement that is flat-out wrong.
According to Kim Peterson at the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, “the average cost of photovoltaic systems that have received funding by the CCEF is $8.52 per watt and the average size of systems funded is 4.3kW.” This is before the $19,000 CCEF incentive and the $2,000 federal tax credit!
Larger commercial systems cost less per watt, as evidenced by the photovoltaic system that SolarWrights is installing at the Pine Point School in Stonington, Conn., for under $6 per watt before incentives and tax credits.
If the governor and his advisers aren’t properly educated on the cost-benefit analysis of all renewable energy technologies, this is a major concern. The path to energy independence requires a multifaceted approach that embraces a multitude of technologies and approaches to ensure success. If the governor and his advisers know the true cost of photovoltaics and choose to tell the public otherwise, this is a much more serious problem, as it interferes with the ability of companies like SolarWrights to conduct business in the state.
When the original legislation was written that requires electric companies to charge a conservation charge to their ratepayers, the purpose was twofold. First, it was to promote the installation of renewable energy projects in Rhode Island. Second, it was to help create jobs for Rhode Islanders and help businesses expand.
Since the governor unveiled his five-point energy plan in Rhode Island, virtually all new renewable energy projects have stopped. No new residential or commercial photovoltaic projects have received funding from the new Office of Energy Resources, and no new wind installations like the hugely successful Portsmouth Abbey wind turbine installation have received funding.
The Portsmouth Abbey project happened as a result of a generous incentive provided to the school from the R.I. State Energy Office, the precursor of the Office of Energy Resources.
SolarWrights, which topped the Providence Business News’ 2006 Rhode Island “Fastest-Growing Private Companies” list, has seen its Rhode Island sales collapse due to the governor’s misguided energy plan. As a result, the company has moved much of its operations into Connecticut.
The governor’s lack of understanding about the important role that solar energy can play in a truly comprehensive energy plan and his lack of understanding of the needs of businesses in this burgeoning industry put us at a disadvantage.
Robert W. Chew is president of SolarWrights and Ocean State Wind, Bristol-based renewable energy companies that work throughout New England.
