Pro-clean energy candidates for governor identified by AEE win 7 “open” elections
The new governors favor policies such as a higher renewables mandate, community solar, increased use of storage, and expanding the Western grid, reports the nonprofit Advanced Energy Economy.
Solar “maker and braker” utilities across the South
A new web tool lets consumers in six Southern states see how their utility is embracing solar or blocking it; the tool could help consumers promote improved solar policy.
Operating solar with reserve capacity enables more solar on the grid
A solar plant can increase its output by starting from a curtailment status and then reducing curtailment. If grid operators schedule in advance both solar curtailment and increased solar output, the cost-saving level of solar increases substantially.
PJM subsidiary to test blockchain for trading RECs
The platform will be designed to enable tracking and peer-to-peer trading of certificates at the kilowatt-hour scale, at low cost and with improved ease of use.
Puerto Rico groups call for 100% renewables by 2050
The island would transition from 2% renewables now to 100% by 2050, in a plan collaboratively developed and endorsed by industry groups and city mayors.
New solar REIT to make long-term solar loans
By offering long-term solar mortgages that can be repaid from project cash flows, the founders of Radiant REIT plan to meet an industry need. The REIT is starting with a $300 million fund.
The South takes the lead in utility-scale solar as interconnection queues swell to 188 GW (w/charts)
As a further sign that solar is going mainstream across the United States, a new report by Lawrence Berkeley National Labs finds that southeastern states hosted 40% of the utility-scale solar installed nationally in 2017. Interconnection queues have swelled to 188.5 GW of utility solar capacity, eight times more than installed capacity.
Minnesota groups back higher renewables mandate
With Minnesota’s utilities set to exceed the state’s Renewable Energy Standard, a statewide clean energy association is talking with candidates for governor to promote a higher mandate, to help attract renewables investment and jobs. Similar efforts are underway in eight other states.
Grid-connected battery energy capacity grew 68 percent last year
A utility survey shows battery storage capacity growing sharply, including solar + storage installations in several states. Looking ahead, FERC Order 841 could spark extensive new storage for grid services, helping more utilities become familiar with storage and its benefits.
Ohio business community backs 2.2 GW of Ohio solar
Speaking the language of manufacturing, employment, and economic opportunity, five prominent corporations have backed a 2.2 gigawatt solar goal for Ohio by 2030.
