Michael Schoeck
Federal government releases $1 billion in rural electric funding
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering funding from the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to farmers, ranchers and other rural market end users such as tribal organizations to fund $1 million for clean energy projects, and $500,000 for energy efficiency upgrades.
Maine community solar project subscriptions to be managed by Energywell
The Bangor, Maine 2.8 MW project is UGE’s largest community solar project to date and will be built on a vacant field on the outskirts of Bangor, owned by Grant Realty.
Weekly Solar Earnings Recap: Array, Pineapple Energy and SMA Solar
pv magazine USA’s recap of notable upstream solar, integrated solar, finance and rooftop installers that reported fourth quarter or fiscal year earnings over the last week.
Solar, microgrids and EV buses discussed at first Clean Energy Schools Symposium
More than 50 school system leaders representing 16 U.S. states joined policy makers in Washington, D.C. this week at the first-ever Clean Energy Schools Symposium.
Canada formalizes six-year 30% federal ITC credit, among other incentives
The made-in-Canada plan mirrors the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, including two new ITCs targeting clean energy and technology manufacturing that will remain at 30% through 2033, stepping down to 15% in 2034 before phasing out altogether after 2034.
Developer begins construction on 800 MW Illinois project with U.S. made components
The utility solar project is slated to reach commercial operations by fall of 2024, and when operational will be owned by the developer, Swift Current Energy.
Hitachi to supply converter stations to multi-state 2.4 GW power line
The transmission project is being upgraded to allow for the replacement of a legacy coal-fired generation facility with an 840 MW green hydrogen electrolyzer and energy storage facility set to enter operations by 2026.
DSD completes 1.85 MW solar project for retirement home, first in Virginia
Located along the Blue Ridge Mountains, the scenic project marks the developer’s first project developed in Virginia, expanding DSD’s footprint into 23 states. The project will meet 85% of the community’s energy needs and produce 2,396 MWh of clean energy each year, the equivalent of 330 homes.
Wärtsilä battery passes UL 9540A fire certification milestone
Rigorous testing for grid-scale lithium-ion storage systems involved heating battery cells to induce thermal runaway within Wärtsilä’s storage module. Performing fire tests reveals critical information to the manufacturer, first responders and asset owners about how the battery system reacts in the unlikely event of a cell failure.
Oregon research highlights zinc metal battery improvements
An Oregon State University research group has developed a zinc metal anode electrolyte that raises the efficiency of zinc battery cells to nearly 100%, a breakthrough as companies scramble to find non-lithium-ion alternatives to supplement a growing U.S. energy storage market.
