The solar wave rises
Wood Mackenzie and SEIA report that a record 37.9 GWdc of utility-scale solar was under contract at the end of Q2 – the largest volume ever recorded – with 8.7 GWdc of that under construction. However, installation levels were down slightly year-over-year.
Louisiana guts net metering
Regulators in Louisiana have replaced net metering with compensation at avoided cost for all power exported to the grid on an instantaneous basis, effective January 1, 2020. As a result of this, the state’s small solar industry is expected to lose jobs.
Louisiana regulators will vote on whether or not to kill net metering
On Wednesday regulators will vote on a proposal to replace retail-rate net metering with a two-channel billing system based on avoided cost, which could wipe out the state’s solar market.
Louisiana regulators could give the green light to utilities to milk customers with solar
The state’s Public Service Commission is preparing to vote on a proposal to gut net metering for distributed solar, based on a highly questionable study by the oil and gas industry’s pet consultant.
Recognizing and combating power quality issues in solar power systems
Solar energy can greatly reduce energy bills, can be used for a wide variety of applications and costs very little to maintain. However, even though it is considered an excellent source of renewable energy, it is not immune to its own unique problems and challenges.
Residential solar plus storage is taking over Hawaii’s grid
Sunrun’s solar+storage Brightbox systems – 1,000 of them totalling 4.3 MW of capacity – are included in a contract for grid services submitted to Hawaii regulators.
San Diego Gas and Electric looks to quadruple customers’ minimum monthly bill
The utility is looking to raise its monthly minimum utility charge from $10 to $38 under the premise that distributed solar customers represent a “cost shift” to other utility customers.
120 MW project goes on-line in North Carolina, solar industry documentary to release in 2020: pvMB 9/3/19
Hello one and all, hop you enjoyed Labor Day Weekend and welcome back to the pvMB. Today we’ll be taking a look at the health co-benefits of sub-national renewable energy policy in the US, the national solar tour 2019, California ISO data to date and more!
Making the connection: Fires & electrical balance of systems
Walmart’s allegation that some of the fires in the solar plants on the roofs of its stores were started by connectors echoes concerns the industry has had for some time. And the problems go far beyond one manufacturer or installer.
Delaware lifts rooftop solar restrictions
Gov. John Carney has signed HB 65, which lifts all restrictions on residential solar installations in the state. The bill looks to ease the installation process of a state with a volatile residential market.
