Congress overrules Trump, increasing efficiency and renewables budget
In the budget passed by the House and Senate to keep the government funded through September, funding for ARPA-E and the DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy office both increased by around 15%.
World’s second-largest solar EPC to open US office
The Dubai-based company will base their U.S. operations in Arizona. They launch with a 50 MW portfolio as EPC and/or co-development service provider.
EIA looks at why solar cost estimates vary
Three separate organizations under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Energy track various aspects of utility scale solar power plant’s costs, and are producing very different numbers.
Massachusetts calls for ‘Clean Peak Standard’ to green dirtiest, most expensive power
The State specified that retail electricity suppliers must provide customers with clean electricity during defined ‘clean peak periods’, at less than $0.005/kWh averaged across annual usage.
Sunnova now offering solar + energy storage in California
Sunnova’s ‘SunSafe’ solar power plus energy storage product is focused on backup power during outages, avoiding peak charges in the evening.
Arizona’s Salt River Project election being powered by solar challengers
Salt River Project’s upcoming election includes five solar power advocates. With 14 members, two of which are pro-solar, tipping points are within reach.
New Hampshire bill to expand system sizes while setting new rates for net metering
SB 446 has passed the Senate and now heads the House for approval. The bill would allow systems up to 5 MW to participate in the state’s net metering program, with final rates to be set over the next three years.
U.S. solar module to inverter ratio settles in around 1.25
The DC-AC ratio of U.S. solar plants has been increasing since it measured at just over 1.1 in 2001-2009, however, the average seems to have flattened at just above 1.25 in recent years.
FERC counts 48 GW-AC of large solar projects planned by 2021
Utility Scale proposed projects have begun piling up at the federal agency as the 30% Investment Tax Credit ending starts appearing on the horizon.
Arizona regulators rebuff utilities, order turn from gas to renewables
As an historic first, the Arizona Corporation Commission has voted not to acknowledge the gas-heavy energy resource plans of utilities, and is pushing instead an aggressive clean energy plan by one of its members.
