Solar coming to Baltimore County govt., North Carolina utility Commission’s new chair: pvMB 6/5/19

Baltimore County aiming to put solar panels on government buildings and in parks – Baltimore County, in an effort to reach its goal of generating 20% of municipal power needs from renewable sources by 2022, has developed a preliminary plan to install solar arrays on government-owned properties, like community centers, police stations and parks. In all, more than a dozen properties are being eyes for development, through the request for proposals the county has issued. This request runs through June 18. Source: Baltimore Sun

New chair of NC Utilities Commission – Just one day removed from massive management turnover at Cypress Creek, we have more employment announcements, as Charlotte Mitchell has been named the new Chairperson of the North Carolina Utilities Commission. All that’s left is for Mitchell’s appointment, which was made by Gov. Roy Moore, to be approved by the North Carolina State Legislature. Once approved, Mitchell will serve for two years. Source: NC Governor’s Office

LevelTen becomes “the Match.com for green energy” after raising $20.5 million in funding – Thanks to contributions from Prelude Ventures, Constellation Technology Ventures, the venture investing arm of Exelon Corporation and a gaggle of others, LevelTen Energy has raised $20.5 million in its Series B funding round. This brings the company’s total investment to $27.3 million. “LevelTen Energy will use this latest investment to expand its suite of products and services in North America and Europe, further reducing the barriers that impede widespread renewable energy procurement. The company will also open its platform to new types of channel partners and service providers, making the entire procurement process faster and easier for energy buyer participants.” Source: LevelTen Energy

Scientists may be closer to solving LID – Researchers at the University of Manchester, scientists may have identified a key defect in solar cell structures that enables Light Induced Degradation (LID). “Combining a specialized electrical and optical technique, known as “deep-level transient spectroscopy” (DLTS), the team have uncovered the existence of a material defect which initially lies dormant within the silicon use to manufacture the cells. The electronic charge within the bulk of the silicon solar cell is transformed under sunlight, part of its energy generating process. The team found that this transformation involves a highly effective “trap” that prevents the flow of photo-generated charge carriers (electrons).” Source: Phys.org

CAISO reliability coordinator verified – “The California Independent System Operator (ISO) announced today that its Reliability Coordinator operation attained its certification from the North American Energy Reliability Corp. (NERC), allowing it to offer services to electricity balancing authorities in the western states and part of Mexico beginning July 1, 2019… A Reliability Coordinator has the highest level of authority and responsibility for the reliable operation of power grids, and has wide visibility of bulk electric systems. When fully operational, RC West will monitor the interconnected power grids in the West for compliance with federal and regional grid standards, authorize measures to prevent or mitigate system emergencies in day-ahead or real-time operations, and lead system restoration following major incidents.” Source: California Independent System Operator