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Why is it that everybody has heard of SolarCity but few outside the solar industry have heard of Vivint Solar? That changed on October 1 when the New York Stock Exchange welcomed Vivint to the ranks of publicly-traded companies. Vivint Solar is the second largest installer of solar panels in the United States. The initial public offering was at $16 per share, valuing the Blackstone Group LP -backed company at $1.68 billion. Don’t you wish you had some of the action? Now that the share price …

New legislation in Ohio is impeding the renewable energy market. Now there are no incentives for renewable energy to replace conventional or for companies to complete projects in-state. Prices for renewable energy credits (RECs) and solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) have already seen sharp decreases. The point of the new legislation is to review money usage and renewable energy benefits, but unfortunately this may set back Ohio from reaching its goals for years to come. The Columbus Di …

All over the world space constraints are encouraging people to become innovative thinkers when it comes to repurposing areas. The U.S., the UK and Japan are all making plans to convert used and filled landfills into expansive solar panel farms. By collaborating and making deals with strong solar companies the areas are likely to save money and space and reduce their carbon footprint at the same time! Two towns in Connecticut, Ansonia and Derby, are looking to save a little money and space b …

The solar community is beginning to say good-bye to another record year of solar energy, and thinking about how to ring in the New Year. And there are some who suggest that there is no better way to celebrate than with solar and other green gifts. SolarTown offers its ten best solar gift ideas for 2011 and includes solar lights and solar oven and even a solar backpack. (Full disclosure: SolarTown is the author of this solar news article.) And there are others who are talking about solar …

Last Wednesday, Virginia's State Corporation Commission announced that Dominion Virginia Power would be able to charge a standby fee for large-scale solar residential owners who use net metering. In another solar news story, we discussed the implications of such a charge. Solar power advocates worry that this will deter solar energy installations, dealing a blow to the solar energy industry in Virginia. The decision allows Dominion to charge any residential customer with solar systems that …