Musk deems 2019 the year of the Solar Roof – Clearly EVs aren’t the only thing on Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s mind, as during the unveiling of the Tesla Model Y entry-level compact SUV last week, Musk declared 2019 to be the year of the Solar Roof and Powerwall. He alleged that any lack of progress made in 2018 was due to production issues with the Tesla Model 3, and continued by saying: “Solar plus battery plus electric vehicles, we have a fully sustainable future,”. “That’s a future you can feel really excited and optimistic about. I think that really matters.” Source: Inverse
TEP using sheep for brush control at solar farm – Prairie Fire Solar Array, Tucson Electric Power’s 5 MW solar project in Pima County, Arizona has 25 new workers laboring around the clock to keep the site free of overgrown vegetation. How could the site afford this influx in employment? Simple, they’re sheep. The flock was contracted to the site by Southwest Lambscaping. Outside of that being an incredible name, the company is familiar with the effectivity of sheep at solar sites, as flocks have also been deployed at the 51 MW Red Horse Solar project. Source: Arizona Daily Star
Hawaii calls on Washington to set 100% clean energy goal – “The Aloha State and the Evergreen State may be different in many ways, but we both face the brutal reality of a rapidly changing climate.” This is the powerful open to the letter by Hawaiian State Rep. Chris Lee and Melissa Miyashiro of Hawaii’s Blue Planet Foundation as they call upon the citizens of Washington state to support a bill that would require the state to move to 100% renewably-generated electricity by 2045. Then letter also highlights the devastating effects of climate change that is on the way for both states, including wildfires for Washington and torrential rainfall for Hawaii. Source: Seattle Times
Laborers’ Union becomes latest supporting addition of the Path to 100 Act – “The Laborers’ International Union of North America Midwest Region (LiUNA) has joined the growing coalition of 60 businesses and organizations advocating passage of the Path to 100 Act (SB1781 / HB 2966) legislation to sustain and strengthen Illinois’ renewable energy industry… Path to 100 supporters include laborers, nonprofit and trade associations and more than 50 businesses working in wind, solar, energy storage, and construction in Illinois. The legislation would create an estimated 25,000 new clean energy jobs by 2030 while delivering new property tax revenues and landowner payments to communities across the state.” Source: LiUNA
Michigan’s monster: 149 MW planned for Calhoun County – Ranger Power must have decided that it was not yet done with the Great Lakes State when the company announced its plans to develop a solar farm in Shiawassee County, as now the company has announced plans to develop a 149 MW project in Calhoun County. Both this new project and the Shiawassee project are being constructed to help the state reach its 15% by 2021 renewable portfolio standard. The state currently gets around 11% of its electricity from renewable sources, with wind leading the way at 5%. Source: Michigan Live
Arizona State publishes free future of solar power sci-fi anthology – Inspired by the question “What would a world powered entirely by solar energy look like?” came the publishing of The Weight of Light: A Collection of Solar Futures. The anthology is a collection of four stories, each written by a group of top sci-fi minds, the explores the optimistic future of a world powered by the sun. The anthology is entirely free to read and is available here. Source: The Verge
Can renewables deal with polar vortex? Yes, if we’re prepared – While the conventional power grid can easily meet the demands caused by polar vortex, can the same be said about a grid sourced entirely from renewable energy? According to Stanford Professor Mark Z. Jacobson, yes. In a new study conducted by Sierra Club, Jacobson and others on his team concurred that with enough planning and the electrification of all energy sectors, clean energy can overcome the challenges provided by extreme cold. Jacobson to Iceland as a model, as the nation’s power sector is 100% renewable and handles more extreme cold than the United States. Source: Sierra Club
Vote Solar’s 2019 Equinox party – “Clear your calendar for the best solar party in town! Equinox is more than just a great party, it also directly supports Vote Solar’s critical work to keep our country moving forward with clean energy. Where: The Chapel, 777 Valencia St San Francisco, CA. When: March 28, VIP Reception: 6-7 pm With honored guests California State Senator Scott Wiener and Cheryl Johnson, Executive Director of People for Community Recovery. General Admission: 7-10 pm With delicious cocktails, small bites, plenty of solar fun, and featuring the music of Speakeasē and DJ Sweet Kev.” Source: Equinox 2019
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“While the conventional power grid can easily meet the demands caused by polar vortex…”
– facts not in evidence
Well, the conventional power grid _did_ meet the demands of the last polar vortex.