3GW distributed solar and 2.1GW distributed storage in Michigan by 2035, under a low-cost scenario
A Vibrant Clean Energy study commissioned by Vote Solar found that GW-scale investments in distributed solar and storage would yield the lower cost between two approaches studied for Michigan to achieve economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050.
Arizona Senate controls the fate of Phoenix anti-solar rate
Ending anti-solar rates in the Phoenix area depends on maintaining an Arizona law favoring competition in the electricity sector. The Arizona House has voted to end such competition, and the Arizona Senate could do the same.
US added 5.4GW of small-scale PV last year
Some northern states added as much small-scale PV per capita as the top states in the Southwest, taking advantage of solar irradiance in northern states that’s about 70% as high as that in the desert Southwest.
Rooftop solar groups ask FERC to stop utilities from charging customers for anti-solar advocacy
Four groups that support rooftop solar have asked federal energy regulators to disallow the “common” utility practice of charging their customers for their anti-solar advocacy.
Lithium beneath the Salton Sea
The geothermal field beneath California’s Salton Sea contains brine that may hold from one to six million metric tons of lithium, an essential element for producing batteries. A Berkeley Lab study aims to evaluate the resource.
Speed up interconnection studies with enforceable timelines and third-party competition, say SEIA and allies
The proposed measures would prompt transmission providers to complete studies on time, the groups said. They asked federal energy regulators for an accelerated interconnection rulemaking.
NREL launches 100% renewables study for Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has 40GW of solar potential, said national lab staff in a webinar. The 100% study will begin by modeling the renewables milestones set by Puerto Rico law.
“Interconnection studies could be completed in months,” say SEIA, AEE and ACP in comments to FERC
With standardization and automation, interconnection studies “could be completed in months instead of years,” the groups told federal energy regulators, backing up their claim with a detailed plan to achieve that goal.
Interconnection delays and costs are the biggest barrier for utility-scale renewables, say developers
LevelTen and Advanced Energy Economy point to delays in the PJM grid region, in particular. Construction of the 300GW of renewables and storage projects in PJM’s interconnection queue would support 1.7 million jobs, says AEE.
The U.S. Army commits to using 100% clean electricity by 2030
“The Army will lead by example” says the United States Army Climate Strategy, and by 2040 aims to add enough renewables and storage to self-sustain critical missions.
