pvMB 3/11/19: Wisconsin’s big development, Vistra’s energy retail business… and more!

Hello, welcome to your workweek and the pvmb. Today we’ll be looking at Florida A&M and Duke’s partnership on a 74.9 MW project, a 5 MW plant coming to Massachusetts, a former Virginia coal plant being converted to solar and everything else you need for this new week in the solar industry.

March 11, 2019 Tim Sylvia

Image: Duke Energy

Massive plant planned in Wisconsin – It seems that in the last couple of months, every underdeveloped state has kicked things up a notch. Today, Wisconsin joins that list. New York developer Ranger Power is closing in on securing the land for a 149 MW plant in the state, which currently boasts less than 100 MW of total installed capacity. The project is named Badger State Solar and will sit on 1,000 acres in Jefferson County. Source: Daily Jefferson County Union

Florida A&M partners with Duke on solar project – Frequently when universities look to get into solar development, it is to offset their own electricity usage and provide clean energy to their campus community. Florida A&M and Duke Energy have announced a partnership on a 74.9 MW plant, one that doesn’t fit that traditional script. The school is leasing out to Duke the 600-800 acres of property necessary for the installation in return for the revenue generated by the lease and the hands-on experience of researching and working with a fully-operational, utility-scale solar power plant connected to the grid for university students. Source: Duke Energy

5 more Massachusetts MW – Next up in this morning’s development crosshairs is the community of Lee, Massachusetts. Developer Cypress Creek Renewables is eyeing the town as a potential home for a 5 MW solar array located on 42 acres between Route 20 and Goose Pond. The city’s planning board will be reviewing the site plan application at a meeting tonight. Cypress Creek Renewables also plans on pairing the project with 2.5 MW of battery storage. Source: The Berkshire Eagle

Vistra Energy launches renewable energy retail business – “Vistra Energy announced today that it is launching a new retail electricity brand, Brighten Energy, in Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Brighten Energy will supply renewable energy to socially conscious consumers looking for an affordable way to make a difference. Vistra is also expanding its existing retail brand, Dynegy, into the residential market in Pennsylvania. Both retail brands will serve residential and small businesses, while Dynegy also serves large commercial and industrial businesses… As part of this expansion, Vistra will continue to invest in the states where it operates. The company will open retail sales offices outside of Chicago in Oak Brook, Illinois; in Columbus, Ohio; and outside of Philadelphia in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.” Source: Vistra Energy

Former Virginia coal plant reclaimed for renewables – A former coal plant in Virginia which has not been mined since 1957 is expected to receive new life, with Sun Tribe Solar receiving approval to convert the site into a 3.5 MW solar project. Furthermore, the cost of the environmental work to get the site ready is being covered thanks to a $500,000 federal grant. Source: Energy News Network

100 New Orleans homes to receive free solar through Entergy pilot program – “One hundred New Orleans homeowners will soon have solar panels installed on their rooftops at no cost under a trial program by Entergy New Orleans aimed at increasing the use of renewable electricity and helping residents save money on their electricity bills… The panels, which will be paid for and maintained by Entergy, will be installed in the coming weeks on the homes of low- to moderate-income residents who qualify, utility officials said this week… Those residents will receive a guaranteed $30 credit on their monthly bills as a result, regardless of how much the sun shines… The pilot program is aimed at gauging how well such an effort might work on a broader scale as Entergy tries to add more renewables to its mix of energy sources used to generate electricity.” Source: The New Orleans Advocate

Real field inspectors show how detrimental common corrosion and loose connections can be:

Some impressions from our field inspectors. Have you checked your #PV mounting system is qualified? Loose connections and #corrosion are the most frequently idetified issues. https://t.co/8ItBq6f5Ed pic.twitter.com/1iEFCWWK7B

— TÜV Rheinland Solar (@tuvcom_solar) March 7, 2019

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