Our September Monthly Dose of Climate Hope with solar pioneer and clean energy leader Jigar Shah was full of insights on how we can expand renewable energy by focusing on affordability, thoughtful communication with local leaders, and permitting reform.

Jigar also shared The Light Won’t Dim, a 30-minute documentary exploring the promise and urgency of solar power in a time of climate crisis.

Watch a recording of the conversation (1 hour) or read a quick recap.

Recording

Watch the recording.

Quick Recap

Disclaimer: This is an auto-generated meeting summary from Zoom, offering a high-level overview of the discussion. Please note that it may not capture all details with perfect accuracy.

Quick Recap

This YouTube Live event focused on clean energy and climate hope, featuring an interview with Jigar Shah, a clean energy entrepreneur and policy leader, discussing the current state and future of renewable energy in the United States. The conversation covered various aspects of the clean energy transition including technology adoption, cost-effectiveness, and implementation challenges, with particular emphasis on state-level approaches and community engagement. The discussion concluded with insights on global renewable energy transitions and the importance of citizen advocacy, along with announcements about upcoming events and the development of a web version of the Climate Action Now app.

Summary

Clean Energy and Climate Hope

The event began with an icebreaker asking participants to share where they were joining from and a hopeful sign of the clean energy transition they had noticed. The team demonstrated how to use the Climate Action Now app to take an action urging federal representatives to defend market-preferred clean energy.

U.S. Clean Energy Progress

Sam Matey-Coste, Editor-in-Chief at Climate Action Now, interviewed Jigar Shah, a clean energy entrepreneur and policy leader with over 25 years of experience. Sam and Jigar discussed the current state of clean energy in the United States. Jigar emphasized that despite recent setbacks, significant progress has been made in electrification and renewable energy deployment, with the U.S. leading globally in clean energy adoption at 45% of grid capacity compared to China’s 35%. He highlighted that clean energy technologies have become the most cost-effective solutions, with flat generation costs since 2010 in regions like California and Texas. Jigar stressed that the focus should be on affordability and practical implementation at the state level rather than national politics, noting that Texas offers cheaper solar and battery systems than Maryland. Sam agreed with this approach, emphasizing the importance of framing clean energy as a cost-saving measure rather than just an environmental issue.

Rooftop Solar Adoption Challenges

Jigar and Sam discussed the challenges and opportunities in implementing renewable energy solutions, particularly rooftop solar. They highlighted that while technologies exist to address energy needs, permitting structures and policies are hindering widespread adoption. Jigar emphasized that load growth, often associated with negative impacts, can actually reduce costs when managed effectively through technologies like rooftop solar and batteries. They also noted the political nature of climate solutions, stressing the need for collective action to deploy cost-effective technologies. Sam added that clean energy solutions are becoming less politically polarized globally, with examples from various countries and leaders across the political spectrum supporting such initiatives.

Virtual Power Plants and Policy

Jigar explained how home batteries can help reduce electricity bills for neighbors by providing backup power and participating in virtual power plants, particularly during peak demand hours. He noted that while this approach works well in some states like Utah, it’s currently restricted in many blue states. Jigar emphasized that as energy issues have moved from page 30 to page 1 of newspapers, both Democratic and Republican candidates are now focusing on electricity-related questions, creating an opportunity to influence policy decisions.

Renewable Energy Implementation Challenges

Jigar and Sam discussed the challenges of implementing renewable energy solutions, particularly in regulated environments like utilities and states with complex permitting processes. They highlighted examples of successful implementations, such as in Utah, and emphasized the need for strategic deregulation to make it easier to deploy solar and other renewable energy solutions in blue states. Jigar suggested focusing on local spheres of influence, such as school boards and city councils, to drive change and humanize the technology by demonstrating its real-world benefits, like improving firefighting operations with electric vehicles.

Reforming Clean Energy Permit Laws

Jigar and Sam discussed challenges with permit approval processes and public input laws affecting clean energy projects. Jigar highlighted examples from Boulder, Colorado and Oregon where strict permit requirements and lawsuit provisions are delaying solar installations, while Sam noted how these laws, intended to protect the environment, are now being used to block necessary clean energy projects. They agreed that while past environmental protections were important, current laws need reform to balance community input with project timelines, suggesting that mandatory good-faith conversations could achieve better outcomes without excessive delays.

Community Engagement for Clean Energy

Jigar shared his experience engaging with a group in Indiana who initially opposed clean energy due to a problematic wind developer, but after conversation, became more receptive to wind and solar. He emphasized the importance of direct community engagement rather than relying on social media, highlighting economic benefits for farmers through renewable energy projects. Sam agreed and discussed upcoming events in New Hampshire showcasing renewable energy technology, while both speakers noted that many people are unaware of the significant cost advantages of current renewable energy solutions and electric vehicles.

Global Renewable Energy Transition

Jigar and Sam discussed the global transition to renewable energy, highlighting examples like Pakistan’s rapid adoption of solar power and Ethiopia’s ban on internal combustion engine vehicles. They emphasized the need to reduce soft costs and regulatory barriers to accelerate deployment of renewable technologies in the United States. The conversation also touched on the importance of extending the lifespan of existing appliances and vehicles to reduce waste and overall costs.

Citizen Advocacy in Energy Policy

Brett Walter, Founder and CEO of Climate Action Now, and Jigar discussed the role of citizen advocacy in energy policy, with Jigar emphasizing the need for citizens to support local officials who lack expertise in electricity and grid management. They announced an upcoming Sunday Action Party featuring a special pre-recorded video message from Bill McKibben. The Climate Action Now team also announced the development of a web version of the Climate Action Now app.