PJM’s compensation reforms could impact renewable energy markets
The 14-state grid operator is calling for a reform to compensation mechanisms to reflect resilience attributes, in language familiar to anyone who has followed Secretary Perry’s proposed coal and nuke bailout.
Los Angeles 100% renewable – every hour of the day – by 2030, zero net cost
A study sponsored by Food & Water Watch, and prepared by Synapse Energy Economics, posits that 3.6 to 6 GW of solar power, plus energy storage, demand response and geothermal will allow the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to go 100% renewable.
A soft path to residential PV cost reduction
The biggest opportunities to reduce the cost of residential PV installations are in the “soft”, non-material sectors, according to an NREL study.
Report: Chinese module imports climbed sharply in Q4
1,200%. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, that’s how high imports of Chinese modules rose in the fourth quarter last year in a desperate attempt to stockpile sufficient numbers before tariffs choked off international supplies.
Michigan solar total remains low among renewable energy options
The total volume of PV in Michigan remains small for the size of the state, especially as a percentage of renewable energy, as reported by state regulator.
Department of Energy helps Florida reduce solar soft costs
As residential PV installed costs remain high and import tariffs loom, the U.S. Department of Energy’s SolSmart program is helping a county and localities in Florida reduce permit costs and cut red tape in the installation process.
PJM seeks a middle course in capacity markets
The PJM regional transmission organization has come up with a proposal that will determine the impact of certain kinds of subsidies in power generation capacity auctions as well as the parties offering them.
National laboratories issue study on growing flexibility and variability of power generators
Lawrence Berkeley and Argonne National Laboratories examine the growth of solar, wind and natural gas power plant operations on wholesale power markets and the impact on nuclear and coal generators.
Lazard shows ongoing cost declines in solar (w/ charts)
The consultancy’s 2017 study finds that the global cost of utility-scale solar has reached an unsubsidized LCOE of under $50 per megawatt-hour, making new solar cost-competitive with running existing coal or nuclear plants.
California’s big utilities to reach 50% renewable energy in 2020
PG&E, SDG&E and SCE are expecting to meet the state’s ambitious 50% target 10 years early, with contract prices for utility-scale solar projects falling to below $30/megawatt-hour (MWh).
