Regulators voted to cut the avoided cost rate paid to PURPA solar power projects in the state by ~33% to 2.134¢/kWh, while also shortening the length of the contracts to 10 years – which represents the lowest rates and contract lengths in the nation.

Panasonic recently launched their EverVolt home energy storage system, with an AC and DC coupled unit that easily can scale up to 34 kWh and, when coupled with their HIT solar modules, can power your home indefinitely if the grid goes down.

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.

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.

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!

The California Energy Commission has delayed a decision on a utility proposal to use large-scale solar to meet pending solar home mandate requirements, with commissioner comments suggesting a refinement of the community solar aspect of the mandate is coming.

America’s beauty, Solaria’s all black shingled module, has a future set on higher efficiencies, better integration into a home’s natural look, and a fully designed system from the ground up as time of construction.

The state’s 2019 IRP sees just over 11 GW solar power, and at least 11 GW – with up to 19 GW – of energy storage necessary to meet resource adequacy as part of the state’s legally required 60% renewable portfolio standard by 2030 as prices have fallen 50% since 2017.

JP Morgan Chase has completed a 2.8 MW rooftop bifacial solar panel installation, using Prism Solar modules, on their Columbus, Ohio location that will meet 18 percent of the site’s electricity usage.

Lazard has released its annual energy generation and storage levelized cost report, showing solar power down about 7% and energy storage rates of return ranging from 7-35% in key markets.