analysis renewable energy policy
By setting the appropriate price up front and making it available to all
generators, they can spur massive development where it’s needed most.
paul gIpe
Community-owned solar panels sit atop a
noise barrier along a busy highway in Freiburg,
germany. private investors, spurred by
germany’s feed-in tariffs, paid for one-third
of the more than $2 million project.
By paul gIpe
as the acting executive director of the ontario
Sustainable energy association in 2004, paul gipe
created, managed and implemented a provincial
campaign for advanced renewable tariffs. the
resulting ontario feed law created momentum
in both Canada and the united States for feed-in
tariffs. For more on this policy mechanism, visit
gipe’s Web site at wind-works.org. this article was
adapted from gipe’s Wind Energy Basics: A Guide to
Home- and Community-scale Wind Energy Systems,
recently released from Chelsea green publishing,
chelseagreen.com.
40 May 2009 SOLAR TODAY
solartoday.org
Electricity Feed Laws:
FAST TRACK
to Renewable Energy Growth?
Electricity feed laws are the world's
most successful policy mechanism for
stimulating the rapid development of
massive amounts of renewable energy.
Germany and Spain offer examples of
just such success.
Known in North America as feed-in tariffs,
renewable energy payments or systems of advanced renewable tariffs, feed laws are also the
most egalitarian method for determining where,
when and how much renewable generating capacity will be installed. Feed laws enable homeowners, farmers, small businesses, community
groups and the continent’s indigenous population to become renewable energy entrepreneurs.
All can sell electricity to the utility company for
a profit, whether they are homeowners installing solar photovoltaic systems on their rooftops,
farmers installing large wind turbines on their
land or cooperatives building small wind farms
