Navajo Power CEO sees 10 GW renewable potential across the Navajo Nation
While an Arizona utility solicits bids for a 200 MW solar project within the Navajo Nation, the near-term potential is 10 GW, says Navajo Power CEO Brett Isaac.
Kentucky city of 28,000 selects 50 MW of solar to help lower electric bills
Henderson, Kentucky’s municipal utility selected 50 MW of solar, which will provide 15% of its annual electricity. “In western Kentucky we do have a pretty good solar resource,” says the utility’s general manager.
Solar and storage advocates call for real-time pricing option in California
Real-time pricing of electricity can help integrate renewables, reduce costly and polluting peak-period generation, and save customers money, the trade groups say. They call for California to make real-time pricing an option in the San Diego area.
States expand rooftop solar potential with smart inverter rollout
Maryland is the fourth state to require that rooftop solar use smart inverters, to allow more solar on the grid. States aiming for high renewables should do likewise, says a consultancy. A looming question: will smart distributed resources be compensated for providing grid services?
NEXTracker CEO challenges solar projections from Energy Information Administration
“EIA’s projections greatly underestimate the growth of solar and significantly overestimate coal’s persistence in the energy mix,” says Dan Shugar, CEO of NEXTracker.
Victory for solar as Kansas Supreme Court blocks fixed fee for distributed power
The Kansas Supreme Court has ruled that a fixed fee for distributed solar customers violates state law. Vote Solar and Sierra Club brought the case, with representation from Earthjustice.
HVDC transmission helps wind but may not help solar
A $2.5 billion Midwestern HVDC transmission project to carry mostly wind power has gained major new investments, which help validate the technology. But an HVDC transmission project that would primarily drive more solar capacity is yet to be identified.
Solar and storage would cost less than Alabama Power’s proposed 1.9 GW of gas units
An Alabama industry association and citizens’ groups say regulators should reject Alabama Power’s request to build more gas capacity.
Arizona commission signals support for 100% clean energy by 2050
Arizona could join 16 other states and territories that have targets of 100% clean or renewable electricity by 2050 or sooner. Thirty-two groups in Arizona have called for 50% renewables by 2030.
How to get a job building utility-scale solar
As more utility-scale solar installations are announced in more states, solar contractors are hiring people who are new to the industry, and offering on-the-job training and long-term employment.
