Jigar Shah sees virtual power plants as the fastest way for states to stabilize electric bills
States can control the retail cost of electricity by promoting virtual power plants, consisting of distributed batteries and other resources, which can be deployed “within months,” said industry veteran Jigar Shah and a co-author in a report.
National lab assesses alternatives to “direct transfer trip” that can block solar projects
“Direct transfer trip,” a costly approach to ensure that distributed generation shuts down during a power outage, can make solar projects uneconomical. A national lab report points to a combination of inverter-based approaches as a viable alternative.
How battery deployment in the Eastern U.S. could scale as in Texas and California
A study led by two energy lawyers documents the causes of “lagging” battery energy storage deployment in the Eastern U.S. and recommends 15 policy solutions that could help scale BESS deployment.
Doubling the pace of adding solar and storage in the PJM region could save $178 billion by 2035
Adding 78 GW more solar and 54 GW more battery storage in the PJM grid region than projected in a status quo scenario would drive a 20% reduction in system costs and improve reliability through 2035, says a study. The study’s sponsor called for enabling policies to improve interconnection and permitting, with roles for both PJM and states.
New Jersey makes it easier for distributed generation up to 2 MW to interconnect
New Jersey is now a “top ten” state for interconnecting distributed solar and storage, said nonprofit group IREC, as projects with an export capacity of up to 2 MW will now qualify for a more streamlined interconnection process.
National lab projects enhanced geothermal cost could decline to $100/MWh by 2035
Declining costs for enhanced geothermal could make the technology a stronger competitor to solar plus storage. A national lab atlas shows wide potential for enhanced geothermal deployment, primarily in the Western U.S.
Navajo Power’s 750 MW solar + storage project secures Navajo Nation land lease
Looking at development opportunities beyond the 750 MW project, Navajo Power’s CEO said that expanded transmission capacity in the region would better position the Navajo Nation as a regional energy player.
Sponsor of Utah’s plug-in solar law sees momentum toward a UL standard
Utah’s enactment of a plug-in solar law last year has prompted the safety certification body UL to begin developing a safety standard for the equipment, said the law’s sponsor, while plug-in solar manufacturers communicating with UL will add momentum to UL’s progress. Legislators in twenty-two states are discussing plug-in solar legislation, a nonprofit co-founder said.
Yale Divinity School selects Luma Solar PV roofing shingles for a 200 kW roof
A Luma Solar roofing system with integrated PV is now a key feature of a sustainable building on the Yale University campus.
A guidebook on plug-in balcony solar for state-level policymakers
Responding to increased state-level interest in plug-in solar, a nonprofit group has published an in-depth guidebook to help state policymakers navigate the path to allowing households to use the systems.
