The Honeydew Blog
Key Energy News from the DMV and Beyond
DC Maryland Virginia Natural Gas Market Report
As the weather breaks and the cherry blossoms begin to bloom, this time of the year marks the conclusion of one the warmest winters in the DMV’s history. Gradually increasing carbon emissions and a warm El-Nino event contributed to a 2023-24 DC winter that saw the 5th...
How Ditching Natural Gas Service Can Wreck An Energy Star Score
Washington D.C.'s Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) set a threshold for building energy efficiency, measured by the Energy Star Score. Surprisingly, using natural gas on-site can boost this score more than using an equivalent amount of electrical energy....
CAI Expo Happy Hour Recap!
On the delightful evening of Saturday, March 2nd, following the culmination of this year's very successful CAI Expo, we had the pleasure of hosting an unforgettable Happy Hour event. This gathering was our way of expressing heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed...
Solar Renewable Energy Credits: A DMV Deep Dive
One of the most potent drivers of the current solar boom in the DMV are Solar Renewable Energy Credits, or SRECs. Currently, only 8 states nationwide have SREC marketplaces, and our local markets are among the most robust. For those unfamiliar with SRECs, please...
Funding Your Energy Efficient Projects with DC Incentives
In the District of Columbia, three essential programs are making a significant impact on energy efficiency and sustainability: Income Qualified Efficiency Fund (IQEF); Affordable Housing Retrofit Accelerator (AHRA); And Commercial Direct Install (CDI). IQEF and...
Verifications for DC’s Benchmarking and Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) Requirements
Introduction As the urgency to address climate change grows, cities across the globe are taking significant steps to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. One such city at the forefront of this movement is Washington DC and Montgomery County,...
The DC PEPCO Feeder Line Exception for Maryland Residents May Be Going to the Wayside
For many years, many Maryland residents have been able to take advantage of the sky high value of DC SRECs as they are connected to the DC PEPCO feeder line, even though they live on the other side of the District Border. This party appears to be coming to an end...
DC Multifamily Buildings Face 22% Surge in Pepco SOS Supply Rates
Whether you own a small business, condo, or co-op, if you are currently receiving your electric supply from Pepco, it's time to start preparing your budget for a price increase this month or consider exploring alternative options with third-party electric suppliers....
Timeline of a Solar Project
The timeline for a commercial solar project in DC and MD can vary depending on the size and complexity of the project, but here is a general example of a typical timeline: Development and Permitting (3-5 months): The development phase involves a structural analysis of...
Current state of the DC, Virginia, and Maryland Energy Supply Markets
The DC and Maryland energy market is currently taking ratepayers on a wild ride and it is important for property owners and managers to stay informed. The warm winter has had a major impact on natural gas wholesale prices, with prices dropping to their lowest point...
The First Deadline for DC’s Building Energy Performance Standards is Approaching
April 1st, 2023 marks the first deadline for the DC Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS). Properties over 50,000 square feet with an Energy Star Score below the DC median score, and multifamily buildings with a score of 66, must report their selected...
Rockville Non-Profit SGAP Leaders uses Climate Education to Empower Students
SGAP Leaders is a non profit program based in Rockville, Maryland that provides opportunities for motivated, underserved students to develop leadership and critical skills needed for college and career readiness. They are now focused on helping middle and...
Proposed DC Legislation Could Create Solar Windfall
On the local level, the Building Energy Performance Standards CREF Amendment Act of 2022 and the Local Solar Expansion Amendment Act of 2022, if passed in the current form, could lead to push up values of SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Credits) for the next few...
Big Boon for Solar in the Inflation Reduction Act
OK, let’s admit it, we’ve become a bit unaccustomed to good news emanating from Washington, DC. But, this week we have a reason to be excited: the Inflation Reduction Act is set to dramatically incentivize investment in new solar PV systems. The Inflation Reduction...
New Community Solar Program for Condos, HOAs, and Co-ops
Serving on the Board of a Condo, HOA or Co-op is an extremely important responsibility that can often feel thankless or under-appreciated. Too often the only time people notice your efforts is when someone has a complaint. At Honeydew, we work day in and day out with...
DC BEPS Case Study: Solar PPA and HVAC Upgrade
For many condos and co-ops, complying with DC’s new Building Energy and Performance Standards (BEPS) may feel like a hardship. We are very excited to share a project that we are currently working on where the community is using BEPS as an opportunity to significantly...
DC’s New 2022 Benchmarking Requirements
The District of Columbia’s benchmarking program has continued to expand the scope of its mandatory reporting requirements. In 2022, it will lower the threshold from 50,000 square feet Gross Floor Area (GFA) to 25,000 square feet. Every privately owned property in DC...
Bump that SACP: Why Maryland’s Commercial Solar Market is Heading Up
As readers of the blog know, there are several key factors that explain the price of SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Credits). One of these factors is the Solar Alternative Compliance Payment (SACP). The SACP is the fee that energy retailers (like Pepco and...