John Fitzgerald Weaver
California off to a strong clean electricity start with solar up 33.8%
Forty-eight days into 2025, CAISO gas use for electricity is down almost 28%, while battery use is up 78%, and solar has already met 100% of demand in the midst of winter.
Massachusetts allows increased demand charges to drive energy storage
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities has approved a rate change that allows large electricity customers, specifically large business customers, to pay a transmission coincident peak demand charge instead of a volumetric transmission charge.
Massachusetts utility-scale battery projects sell IRA tax credits for nearly $10 million
Four municipal utilities in Massachusetts, led by developer Lightshift Energy, are using Basis Climate to facilitate tax credit transfers for battery storage, with plans for up to 50 MW of capacity, ranging from 3 MW/9 MWh to 5 MW/22 MWh.
Federal pause to solar permitting and wetland approvals
Multiple agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Secretary of the Interior, which oversees the Bureau of Land Management, have halted approvals for wind and solar projects on federal land and in federally regulated areas.
Wyoming legislation attacks net metering, small-scale solar
Wyoming Senator Case has yet again submitted legislation to limit net metering, jeopardizing the grassroots growth of small-scale solar power.
Massachusetts considers five-day residential solar permits, 20% distributed energy and more
Massachusetts lawmakers are pushing forward a slate of clean energy bills aimed at accelerating the state’s transition to 100% renewable power.
Agrivoltaics business model analysis shows 16% to 43% return on investment
An analysis of sheep-raising and grazing costs indicates that breeding flocks yield higher overall profits, while purchasing and reselling a new flock each year may result in a higher return on investment due to reduced off-season upkeep costs.
Trump orders pause to IRA funding
An executive order released by the White House states, “All agencies shall immediately pause the disbursement of funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022”.
Section 179D energy efficiency tax deduction tools updated
The DOE has launched a web portal to enable faster tax deduction calculations for energy efficiency upgrades that drive 25% savings in lighting, HVAC, water heating, and building envelopes (but not solar).
Solar-wrapped Tesla Cybertruck using flexible modules and a battery
Solarflare CIGS flexible solar panels, plus a battery, are integrated into a Tesla Cybertruck on display at CES in Las Vegas.
