Community

Also on the rise: The Marigny Opera House in New Orleans goes solar, Tesla releases 3 TW solar master plan, New York City energy justice, and more.

The order marks the largest domestic community solar purchase of solar panels in U.S. history and includes  20 MWh of Qcells Geli energy storage systems

Qcells will supply 2.5 million solar panels under an agreement with developer Summit Ridge Energy which will generate enough clean power for 140,000 homes and businesses, including in underserved communities.

Also on the rise: LG plans a heat pump factory, Toyota powers a factory with on-site solar, a review of Montana solar incentives, and more.

Montana, dubbed the Big Sky Country state, ranks 30th in the country based on its abundant hydro and wind resources, but is ranked 44th based on solar energy output.

Two of the projects, Bolton Freeport Solar 1 (2.58 MW) and Freeport Fairview Solar 2 (2.58 MW), are located in ComEd service territory, and the third project, Danville Michigan Solar 1 (1.81 MW), is located in Ameren service territory in Danville, Ill.

Also on the rise: Scale Microgrids to build a 1.5 MW solar plus 6 MWh energy storage system with the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians on the rooftop of the Soboda Casino Resort.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering funding from the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to farmers, ranchers and other rural market end users such as tribal organizations to fund $1 million for clean energy projects, and $500,000 for energy efficiency upgrades.

Also on the rise: Weekly Solar Earnings Recap–Array, Pineapple Energy and SMA Solar. Solar-plus-storage system begins operation at Camp Lejeune. And more.

The Bangor, Maine 2.8 MW project is UGE’s largest community solar project to date and will be built on a vacant field on the outskirts of Bangor, owned by Grant Realty.