Enel and Raptor Maps to develop AI drone software for operations and maintenance applications
Enel Green Power North America and Raptor Maps will develop AI-based drones to reduce O&M costs. Kicking off this month, the project will see its first batch of 30 field workers trained by the end of the year. Both companies already have the relevant technology in their portfolios.
Minnesota gets its first large-scale energy storage system (and you get free solar honey!)
Connexus Energy has broken ground on two solar+storage facilities – totaling 10 MW-AC solar and 15 MW / 30 MWh of energy storage. When connected by end of year, they’ll be the first large-scale energy storage systems put online in Minnesota, and the largest energy storage for a co-op in the United States.
11 GW of Texas solar would complement existing wind power
A study by UT-Austin finds that 11 GW of solar power in Texas would be the optimal capacity to complement the state’s existing wind generation in meeting electricity demand throughout the year. While the results reflect a carbon price scenario, they may still provide near-term guidance.
RI judge rejects solar project, rules solar to be “manufacturing”
A judge in Rhode Island has overturned a proposed solar farm in Portsmouth, ruling that modules “manufacture” the electricity they generate.
Construction begins at 53 MW-AC solar project at Navy Base in Tennessee
McCarthy Building Companies is constructing the project for Silicon Ranch, as one of the few large solar projects being built in the service area of TVA member utilities
Locals push solar power from the bottom up in Maine
In a state whose governor is staunchly anti-renewable energy, more than 25 municipal projects have been built and an island is pushing for energy independence by 2030.
Construction starts on 450 MW-DC of Florida solar
Black and Veatch has started work on four massive solar plants for Florida Power and Light, which will bring the utility to over 1.2 GW-AC of installed solar some time next year.
Rural electric cooperatives are becoming a gigawatt PV market
A report issued by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association shows rapid PV growth in less than a decade in co-ops.
First Solar sees manufacturing hiccups, but bookings remain strong
The thin film PV maker reports difficulties in ramping its new Series 6 product, as well as pressure from module price collapses.
NextEra expects storage to add half a cent to solar in mid-2020’s
The power giant has made a number of bold statements about the future of solar, wind and batteries, as the company’s development arm reaches a record backlog of renewable energy.
