Overview

A feed-in tariff (FIT) is a policy mechanism that simply pays renewable energy generators a fair price for their electricity. Feed-in tariffs are the world’s most successful policy mechanism for the rapid development of renewable energy. They have been most successful in Europe, but are becoming increasingly common in North America.

The tariff is a payment per kilowatt-hour for electricity generated by a renewable resource. Germany, Spain and a host of other countries have used feed-in tariffs to drive unprecedented wind and solar power market growth during the last several years. The price or tariff paid is based on the "cost of generation plus a reasonable profit”, the same principle used by regulatory commissions in establishing rates for electricity from conventional generators.

Despite their success elsewhere, feed-in tariffs were "unthinkable” in North America as recently as six years ago. Since 2007, however, more than a dozen U.S. states have introduced feed-in tariff legislation and other states have initiated or announced plans for feed-in tariff regulatory proceedings. And, feed-in tariffs continue to gain momentum throughout North America and in developing countries, such as China, India and Mongolia.

This web conference will walk through the latest developments in the rapidly evolving continental feed-in tariff debate and outline challenges and opportunities for the renewable energy industry.

Learning outcomes

The primary objective will be to identify the current status and outlook for renewable energy feed-in tariffs globally and in the U.S.

Questions to be answered
What is a feed-in tariff?
Which countries are implementing feed-in tariffs abroad and what have the results been?
Which jurisdictions have implemented feed-in tariffs in North America—and which areas are considering them?
How do various approaches compare to European and worldwide experience?
What are some of the emerging issues and trends?
What are the prices, and how might they affect utility ratepayers and the renewable energy industry?
Key topics to be addressed
How FITs work and what they can contribute to improve energy security, create new jobs, and address the growing risks of climate change
The economic case
Timeframe for adding renewables
Worldwide wind and solar market
Worldwide wind and solar capacity
Historical context
Review of common criticisms
Feed-in tariffs by state, province and country
Keys to success
Feed-in tariff design
Policy descriptions, implications and evaluation
Pricing
Yields
Program costs and outcomes
Remaining issues and challenges

Who Should Attend
Renewable energy professionals and consultants
Renewable energy project developers
Regulatory and PR staffers
Environmental organizations
Financial and investment groups
Legal staff and compliance officers
Electric utility procurement, generation, and transmission personnel

Reference Materials

After the presentation, you will receive a full copy of the presentation slides in PDF format.

For most web conferences, AltaTerra is also able to provide an online recording of the event. However, in some cases technical difficulties prevent us from providing an archive.

About the Presenter:

Paul Gipe is an author, advocate, and renewable energy industry analyst. He has written extensively about renewable energy for both the popular and trade press. In 2004, Gipe launched a campaign to bring electricity feed laws back to North America. The campaign has grown into a continent-wide grassroots movement that has put renewable energy feed-in tariffs on the political agenda in Canada and the U.S.

http://www.altaterra.net/events/event_details.asp?id=95025

Contact Information