pvMB: new Tesla & NextEra board members, 98% electricity from solar & more!
In the first edition of pv magazine USA’s morning brief, we bring you announcements of new faces on the boards of Tesla and NextEra Energy Partners, an analysis of the technical potential of floating solar, new price information and more.
Utility scale solar power plus lithium ion storage cost breakdown
NREL has released an inaugural report highlighting utility scale energy storage costs with various methods of tying it to solar power: co-located or not, and DC- vs AC-coupled.
Solar tsunami
Developers have applied to build 139 GWac of large-scale solar projects in the territory of six grid operators – around five times what is currently online across the country – and that figure doesn’t even cover the entire United States. By any metric, we are looking at an unprecedented boom in solar development over the next five years.
Nuclear, wind and solar tag team climate in Connecticut
Connecticut has announced contracts covering 45% of its electrical load, including nine solar projects (some with storage) averaging 4.9¢/kWh.
Floating PV technical potential is 10% of U.S. generation
While a national lab report on floating PV did not estimate its economic potential, the report suggests the most promising markets could be reservoirs in areas with high land costs for ground-mounted solar, and reservoirs with grid-connected hydropower or high evaporation rates.
Big solar and batteries coming to the border
El Paso Electric has awarded contracts for 200 MW of solar and 100 MW of battery storage through its latest solicitation, and may procure 50-150 MW more wind and solar. But the RFP also shows that the utility is firmly wedded to gas.
Warren Buffett trades for four solar plants, retiring a coal unit
Nevada regulators have approved six contracts for 1 GWac of solar power coupled with 100 MW / 400 MWh of energy storage. The purchase allows for the retirement of one of the state’s two running coal units.
2018 solar power year in review (part 2)
In part 2 we look at more of some of the action in 2018, from the dramatic growth of the 100% renewable energy movement to California’s mandate for rooftop solar on new homes.
PA’s largest solar farm to power Philly government buildings
The 70 MW Adams solar farm will be by far the largest in the state when completed in 2020 and its electricity will power 22% of the demand from Philadelphia government buildings.
Solar Frontier Americas moves into the IPP space with Mustang Two acquisition
The U.S. subsidiary of the Japanese thin film PV maker has swooped up the 210 MWdc project in California, as its first move towards owning and operating solar power plants.
