We love solar when we don’t have to look at it – A recent survey in Massachusetts has found that residents like renewable energy, but don’t want large scale solar arrays in their neighborhood. The survey was undertaken by the Athol Department of Planning and Development, which found that while around 76% of respondents agree with Massachusetts’ desire to produce more electricity with renewable energy sources, yet 85% disagreed strongly with the notion that solar should be allowed on “Residential C” zoned land, which makes up 78% of the town’s land area. Source: Athol Daily News

SHINE launched in Virginia – “Twenty organizations, including Southside Virginia Community College, the Maryland-DC-Delaware-Virginia Solar Industries Association, Dominion Energy and Microsoft, joined forces to launch SHINE, a public-private partnership dedicated to building innovative solar career pathways in Virginia. ​SHINE’s official launch complements Governor Northam’s Executive Order 43, signed on September 17th, which brings renewable energy generation and jobs to the forefront of Virginia’s economy. The Executive Order sets a goal of achieving 30% of Virginia’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 100% by 2050. Virginia currently has about 775 megawatts of installed solar, which generates roughly 1.03% of the total electricity in the state. SHINE, which stands for the Solar Hands-On Instructional Network of Excellence, offers solar workforce development programs that prepare Virginia and its citizens to realize maximum employment, community development, and economic benefits of anticipated solar market growth.” Source: SHINE Virginia

LPSC denies rehearing on slashing net metering – SILENCE, HEATHENS, or something to that effect is the message being sent by the Louisiana Public Service Commission, which has voted to deny the request for a rehearing on net metering and the state’s new law regarding distributed energy in the state. Our take: Considering this is Louisiana, file this one as disappointing but unsurprising. Source: https://twitter.com/All4Energy/status/1182362833004171267

Master’s in Next-Generation Power and Energy Systems offered by the University of Colorado Boulder – The new Professional Master’s Program in Next-Generation Power and Energy Systems offered by the University of Colorado Boulder Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering in partnership with NREL prepares students to build the electric power grid of the future. Instructors from CU Boulder’s faculty and NREL research programs teach courses designed to help students learn about grid modernization-related challenges the lab is addressing, such as renewable energy integration, cybersecurity, and the potential of autonomous energy grids. “NREL researchers and CU faculty together bring real-world scenarios to students who can leverage Colorado’s hub for renewable energy development,” said Ben Kroposki, director of the Power Systems Engineering Center at NREL. Applications are due Dec. 1, 2019, for classes starting fall semester 2020, when CU Boulder’s new program begins. Source: NREL