Summit Ridge to build 75 MW of Illinois community solar, Spruce acquires residential assets: pvMB 07/12/19

Summit Ridge to bring 75 MW community solar to Illinois, acquires 29 MW from Pivot Energy – 11 Pivot Energy projects developed under illinois’ new Adjustable Block Program and totaling 29 MW have been sold to Summit Ridge Energy. The company’s Illinois portfolio now boasts over 20 projects. In addition, Summit Ridge announced that the company is planning to construct over 75 MW of community solar in Illinois alone over the next 18 months. Source: Summit Ridge Energy

Tri-State seeks federal oversight – “Tri-State, a Colorado-based generation and transmission electric cooperative, serves 43 rural electric cooperatives in Colorado, New Mexico, Nebraska, and Wyoming. Recently, Tri-State’s cooperative members have been demanding more choice in their energy supply, including a faster transition to low-cost renewable sources of electricity… One Tri-State member cooperative, the Delta Montrose Electric Association, is actively seeking to leave the Tri-State system in an ongoing case at the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. Others, such as the La Plata Electric Association, are currently exploring alternatives to Tri-State membership. Meanwhile, new legislation passed this year in Colorado requires Tri-State to reduce its greenhouse gas pollution and subjects Tri-State’s resource planning process to full oversight by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, similar to the state’s other large utilities. Against this backdrop, Tri-State now seeks federal oversight of its rates.” Source: Western Resource Advocates

Spruce acquires 12 MW of residential assets – Just like Summit Ridge, Spruce Finance is playing the portfolio acquisition game, sharing that it has purchased a fund consisting of 2,169 residential solar systems totaling 12.1 MW. The move vaults Spruce’s portfolio of operational solar assets to 173 MW. the portfolio is comprised primarily of residential solar assets, which serve over 25,000 customers across 11 states. The new additions will be serviced by Energy Service Experts, an independent subsidiary of Spruce. Source: Spruce Finance

SMA upgrades its North American service center – “SMA America has unveiled multiple updates to its service center that were designed to facilitate even more efficient technical support. Key expansions include a new, larger central and string inverter laboratory. The service center also features a rooftop PV system that functions as a real-world lab while offsetting energy costs. The new features will improve the ability to simulate issues, troubleshoot calls and provide service training for customers.” Source: SMA

TEP IRP – “Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is engaging key community stakeholders, collaborating with world-class climate experts at the University of Arizona, and proposing development of new carbon emission reduction goals to prepare for its customers’ future energy needs. TEP’s 2019 Preliminary Integrated Resource Plan (PIRP), filed last week with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), outlines strategies the company will use to build an energy portfolio that supports reliable, affordable and increasingly sustainable service over the next 15 years. TEP’s new carbon emission reduction goals will be informed by the global temperature level limits outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. For this effort, TEP has solicited support from climate experts at the University of Arizona’s Institute of the Environment to develop measurable, science-based targets.” Our take: While the climate experts is a new touch, like other utilities TEP is dragging its feet on building large-scale renewables. Source: TEP

BLM to hold public meetings on Gemini Solar Project – The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Southern Nevada District has announced that it will host two meetings – one on July July 23 at the Suncoast Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and the other on July 24 at the Moapa Community Center in Moapa, Nev. BLM shares that the purpose of the meetings is to provide information and gather public input on the proposal to construct, operate and decommission the massive 690 MW Gemini Solar Project. Source: Solar Industry Mag

Over a dozen tribes to receive funding from Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund – “More than a dozen tribes and tribal organizations have been awarded funding for new solar projects from the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund (TSAF), a tribal-led initiative with seed funding from Wells Fargo that aims to catalyze the growth of solar energy and expand solar job opportunities in tribal communities across the United States. Funding for new tribal facility and residential solar energy projects, including matching funds for Department of Energy grants, will help further tribal energy security and resilience, workforce training, and build tribal energy sovereignty. TSAF received more than 40 applications totaling over $7 million in requests for tribal solar projects from dozens of applicants, demonstrating the need and excitement for renewable energy technology and workforce development in tribal communities.” Source: GRID Alternatives