U.S. solar industry week in review

pv magazine USA spotlights news stories of the past week including market trends, project updates, policy changes and more.

May 10, 2024 pv magazine

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California approves uncapped fixed charges on electricity bills The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted to approve a controversial electricity rate rule called the Income-Graduated Fixed Charge, enabling utilities to assess an average $24 monthly fixed charge on residential bills.–roughly double the national average in the United States. It applies to all customers, regardless of how much electricity they consume.

Passive solar tracker wind stowing boosts energy production Array Technologies, provider of solar tracker systems, worked with independent engineering and design firm DNV to study an alternative method to active stowing called passive stowing. The analysis focused on evaluating the energy losses associated with various tracker wind stow methods and considered multiple variables.

Array Technologies single-axis tracker and bifacial PV modules.
*Image: Array Technologies*

DOE proposes ten “national interest” transmission corridors Eight of the ten transmission corridors proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy would facilitate transmission between grid regions; One would expand transmission within the Mid-Atlantic’s PJM grid region; and one would expand transmission in the Northern Plains.

DOE potential NIETC geographic areas.
*Image: DOE*

Solar to contribute over 60% of new U.S. electricity generation in 2024 Despite this growth, fossil fuels dominate U.S. electricity. A 3% increase in total electricity generation across the U.S. is expected to be served primarily with solar, said a report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Cypress Creek Renewables constructs 208 MW / 80 MWh solar-plus-storage facility in Texas The site reached commercial operation on May 2, adding enough capacity to the grid to serve the equivalent of 41,600 homes in the Brackettville, Texas area. Over $11.5 million in tax revenues are expected to be generated for the county by the project, along with $11.7 million earmarked for the Bracket Independent School District.

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