pvMB 3/13/19 Argo invests in 115 MW of C&I solar, COSEIA becomes COSSA and more…

Greens urge NC regulators to reassess Duke’s new IRP – Environmental advocates represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) are urging regulators to re-assess Duke’s latest Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). The advocates determined the IRP to be too expensive, and also argue maintains old and inefficient coal plants, and builds unnecessary gas plants. Under the plan, Duke would add 9,534 MW of gas and 3,671 MW of solar capacity by 2033. Source: Utility Dive

Argo Infrastructure Partners invests in 114 MW C&I solar portfolio – “Ballard Spahr represented funds managed by Argo Infrastructure Partners on an investment in a 114-megawatt portfolio of commercial and industrial solar assets contracted under long-term power purchase agreements. The portfolio is diversified across 134 sites in 12 states and is one of the largest commercial and industrial solar portfolios in North America.” Source: Ballard Spahr

Virginia church goes solar for the Pope – Our Lady Queen of Peace church is going solar after feeling the sentiments of Pope Francis’ encyclical, “Care for our Common Home.” The church is the only one in the diocese with solar capabilities, 319 panels to be specific. This is not the church’s first green initiative, having previously carpeted the church with materials made from 99% recycled plastic. Source: Local DVM

Colorado SEIA becomes COSSA – Colorado’s main solar trade group, the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA) has changed its name to the Colorado Solar and Storage Association (COSSA), which the group says reflects the fact that many of its members are deploying batteries along with solar. We’re just venturing a guess, but perhaps the group took a page from the California Solar and Storage Association (CALSSA) in this move. Source: COSSA

Campbell School District to go solar – Campbell School District out of Campbell, Ohio, is looking to bring the whole district solar by leasing out 10 acres to the solar developer of their choice. The projects will be split over four locations, ranging from 2-3 acres. Source: The Vindicator

And in case you had any doubt that a certain utility whose name rhymes with “Luke” is still trying to knee-cap solar that it doesn’t own, this should settle that.

This is how it works: a certain utility (bet you can guess) just created a faux pro-solar campaign called “SC Clean Energy For All" to undermine pro-solar legislation passed by the SC House – specifically, in an attempt to make util-scale PV unfinancable. https://t.co/36XsfaJdx6

— Tyler Norris (@tylerhnorris) March 12, 2019

Correction: This brief was corrected at 2 PM EST on March 13. An earlier edition stated that regulators were re-assessing Duke’s IRP, when instead advocates have merely requested that regulators re-assess the plan. We regret the error.