2019

Four California CCAs have combined to release a joint RFP in Alameda, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties for developers to build out distributed energy storage at local homes, multifamily properties, and commercial buildings that can keep the locations running when the grid is powered down.

The utility has proposed to state regulators a measure to decrease the rate that solar owners receive for their excess solar generation by 50% under the argument that net metering has failed to properly recover the costs incurred to serve customers with on-site generation.

The legislation is expected to propose extending the credit under terms similar to those that have been enjoyed for the last five years.

A survey reveals greenwashing among major U.S. investor-owned electric utilities, which have been accused of using disproportionately high ratios of renewable versus fossil fuel images and language, while at the same time helping to block renewable energy policies. pv magazine speaks to the lead researcher.

An analysis by a utility backed group suggests that the competitive market for solar power is producing better rates than the legally required PURPA marketplace, suggesting revisions to the pricing mechanism. Market activity suggests the political lever of the tool is still needed though, and the report has some issues.

The latest information from the U.S. Department of Energy shows module shipments rising above 1.5 GW in September. While imports were down slightly from an August high, they were joined by a higher level of exports and modules shipped within the United States.

Salt River Project has announced a 250 MW, 1,000 MWh battery project, located in Little Rainbow Valley. The project will be the largest in Arizona and among the largest in the country.

Modules and inverters and trackers, oh my! PV InfoLink sees as low as 21¢/W modules on the spot market, Kaco has released a series of 1000V and 1500V inverters between 87 and 150 kW, Mechatron’s dual axis tracker took the place of a carport, and Drone Magnetic Survey Company has figured out that there’s a niche finding old wells and metal under solar fields!

U.S. trade authorities plan to issue an initial determination finding non-infringement on the company’s patents by JinkoSolar, LONGi and REC Group, which could prevent Hanwha from shutting their PERC-based products out of the U.S. market. Hanwha intends to appeal.

Hello one and all and welcome to the pvMB. Today we’ve got on the docket we’ve got the groundbreaking of the King Solar project in North Smithfield, Rhode Island, a Sunworks project in Massachusetts, and Simon’s solar.