John Fitzgerald Weaver
BEST bill seeks $300 million for long-term energy storage projects
Starting with $60 million in 2020 and with contracts to be signed by the end of 2023, the “BEST Act” seeks five grid-tied energy storage projects with 6-100 hours of duration, which can run for twenty years.
Rapid shutdown gets its first Sunspec certification in Fronius
The Fronius Symo Advanced product line, which had already been NEC 2017 compliant when coupled with a Tigo TS-4, is now also certified for rapid shutdown by the SunSpec Alliance.
Peaker envy, veto proof net metering, and utility scale solar growth in New Hampshire
Legislation calling for 15% of peak demand to be met by energy storage is moving through the House; a veto-proof increase in system sizes under net metering goes to the governor; and 215 MWac of large-scale solar projects are seeking various approvals.
Warren wants a (mostly) net zero U.S. military by 2030
U.S. Senator and Presidential Candidate Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has introduced legislation requiring global fixed military assets to be net zero by 2030. She is also calling for research focused on microgrids, a 1% fee applied to non-net zero contractors, and a general increase in institutional climate consciousness via reporting, planning, budgeting and procurement.
The $9 trillion dollar man
Washington Governor and U.S. Presidential Candidate Jay Inslee (D) has unveiled the details of his “Evergreen Economy Plan”, which includes upgrading building efficiency, deploying renewables, increasing clean energy R&D and other measures.
The heterojunction “Alpha” solar module at 21.7% efficiency
REC Group has released the official specification page for its heterojunction Alphα series of solar modules, peaking at 380 watts with the standard module, and 375 watts for the all black unit.
Solar power tax credit “transferability” is on the table
Two members of the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced a new bill whose purpose is to facilitate greater utilization of the PTC and ITC.
Chapel Hill NC debates solar power on all new construction
An environmental board has suggested to the Town Council of Chapel Hill that all new construction install roof-mounted solar energy systems over at least 80% of the unshaded roof areas, which could make Chapel Hill the latest town to go this route.
Designing for and monetizing curtailed solar power
Research by NREL and First Solar has produced highly accurate, real-time estimates of available aggregate peak power that a curtailed solar power plant can deliver to support the broader needs of the grid.
Vivint Solar keeps growing
The company showed increased costs for its sales force, held the cost of building solar consistent and is projecting to grow annual installation volume 15% in 2019.
