Stepping UP in 2021: #3 Sustainable electricity and corporates’ critical solar role
Despite the global Covid-19 pandemic and recession, corporate purchases of clean energy are booming. Several factors are driving this trend, including falling costs, a heightened appetite for sustainability among consumers and investors, and increased political will for net-zero development. In recognition of this, the UP Initiative spent Q3 2021 investigating sustainable electricity supply. How are PPA models evolving? What are the critical issues around residual energy? And how can greenwashing be avoided? Read on to discover more.
McElroy Metal adds solar to another manufacturing plant
The company now has solar installations on four of its manufacturing plants, following the completion of a 165 kW system on its Sunnyvale, Texas facility.
Washington looks to re-establish rooftop solar incentive program
A bill aims to re-establish the state’s former highly effective solar incentive program, which ran from 2017 to late 2018 and led to the installation of nearly 7,500 residential energy systems, 380 commercial energy systems, and more than 100 MW of solar capacity.
All I want for Christmas is a solar-powered greenhouse
Heliene is developing the solar integrated greenhouse market via multiple angles – integrating standard panels into structures while also developing “quantum dot” panels that shift the photon wavelength away from crop damaging UV, and into the orange and red wavelengths that plants crave.
Solar plus energy storage at Brooklyn Public Library demonstrates resilient preparedness
Brooklyn Public Library Coney Island Branch recently completed a solar plus storage project that consists of 21kW of roof mounted solar PV + 19 kWh SimpliPhi BOSS.6 energy storage system that meets the New York City limit of 20kWh.
Sunrise brief: Three solar projects in Georgia to power Meta (Facebook) data centers
Also on the rise: House passes forced labor bill for Xinjiang region, U.S. Solar Market Insight Report projects Build Back Better could add 44 GW of capacity through 2026, solar microgrid completed for crop production facility in the heart of the corn belt, Texas grid to get much-needed upgrade.
USDA grant program provides funds for rural agricultural solar projects
Two potato farmers in Maine are set to receive grant funding as part of more than $24 million designated for decarbonized energy infrastructure projects in rural communities in the state. The program is available in eligible rural communities countrywide.
Standard Solar completes 3.3 MW solar project for Virginia schools
The project, supported by Virginia Clean Economy Act, will provide 50% of electricity needs and enable the school system to allocate energy cost savings to supporting student success.
Sunrise brief: Amazon orders up more solar capacity
Also on the rise: The grid is on track to get even cleaner in 2022, APS launches a resi battery rebate, and Westbridge acquires a Canadian solar project.
Summit Ridge completes rooftop community solar project
The installation brings Summit Ridge’s Maryland rooftop community solar portfolio to more than 75 MW.
