PrintRenewable Energy Policy
In addition to regulated vs deregulated aspects of states, there are also a wide variety of ways states encourage, or require, renewable energy as part of the state’s energy supply. The way RPS are implemented varies, and there are specific types of approaches. In other words, there are many ways to generate renewable energy, and then there are various policy options to getting this energy into the state’s energy mix. Generating solar energy for your home or a building is fine, but it does not help to build commercial scale solar, like a solar farm, if there is no way to get that power into the grid. And to get that power into the grid not only requires the right technology and spatial logistics, but it has to be allowed by the regulations. How that is allowed, and actually encouraged is through a state’s renewable energy policy.
Suggested Reading
There are a number of vehicles, or programs, that allow for renewables. A recommended resource to explore these programs is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency®. You can access this database directly at https://www.dsireusa.org/ or via the EIA website.
One example is the Renewable Portfolio Standards program, or RPS, which require utilities to include a certain percentage of renewable energy in their power mix. How these are reflected across the states varies quite dramatically, and not all states have RPS. As of mid-2019, 29 states and the District of Columbia had some type of RPS, and another 8 states had voluntary goals or objectives. Pennsylvania is one of the 29.