{"id":88602,"date":"2020-01-06T08:00:46","date_gmt":"2020-01-06T13:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarpowerworldonline.com\/?p=88602"},"modified":"2020-01-06T15:38:04","modified_gmt":"2020-01-06T20:38:04","slug":"federal-leadership-necessary-for-solar-to-reach-full-potential","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarpowerworldonline.com\/2020\/01\/federal-leadership-necessary-for-solar-to-reach-full-potential\/","title":{"rendered":"Federal leadership will be necessary for solar to reach its potential
2020 Trends in Solar<\/span>"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>State and city governments have been working the past three years to build solar markets despite lack of federal support, but a number of reports have made it clear that Washington, D.C.’s assistance is necessary for solar power to meet its full potential in combating climate change.<\/p>\n

The International Energy Agency\u2019s (IEA) \u201cWorld Energy Outlook 2019<\/a>\u201d found the momentum behind clean energy is insufficient to offset the effects of an expanding global economy and growing population. IEA writes that decisions by governments are critical for the future of the world’s energy system.<\/p>\n

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) also pointed to the federal government to take the next step in renewables. It made the case that Congress should update its nearly 15-year-old directives to the Department of Energy (DOE) to ensure the United States responds to the urgency of climate change and receives the economic benefits of the clean energy economy.<\/p>\n

NRDC’s guide for revising the DOE’s mandate includes at least doubling the current level of funding for federal clean energy R&D programs; expanding the DOE’s mission to specifically include mitigating climate change and building climate resilience; and increasing efforts to decarbonize the industrial, buildings and transportation sectors.<\/p>\n

In addition, the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) released a white paper calling for establishing a federal renewable energy standard.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe renewable sector is booming already, but if we\u2019re going to mitigate the harmful impacts of climate change, America needs to dramatically increase the pace of renewable energy deployment, and federal leadership will be key,\u201d said ACORE president and CEO Gregory Wetstone in a press release.<\/p>\n

The Trump administration likely will not be swayed by these reports, focusing instead on propping up coal<\/a> and other fossil fuels. But the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus has been relaunched in the House, showing at least some movement toward climate progress.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s been a distinct shift in the conversation surrounding climate change in this Congress,\u201d said Danny Richter, Citizens\u2019 Climate Lobby’s VP for government affairs, in a press release. \u201cMore and more Republicans are acknowledging the need to address climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still, there’s not likely to be meaningful movement on climate and solar policy in this current White House, regardless of any consensus in the legislature. For progress at this level, the industry must look to 2020 candidates’ platforms.<\/p>\n

Here’s where the top three Democratic candidates stand on solar and clean energy:<\/p>\n

Joe Biden<\/strong><\/p>\n