Business

The record-setting quarter was driven by nearly 2 GW of utility-scale solar, supplemented by another 1.6 GW of residential. And while the ongoing pandemic will slow the industry a bit in 2020, five-year projections, especially for Texas, are strong.

The 200 MW Holstein solar project in Nolan County, Texas, a collaborative effort between Duke Energy Renewables and 8minute Solar Energy, has reached commercial operation, marking an increased presence for Duke in Texas — and 8minute’s first major foray into the state.

Also in the brief: solar pros running for elected office, Longroad Energy has announced a partnership with Maine’s Unity College, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation has chosen a management platform for its distributed generation program and more.

A D.C.-based analytics company has released an analysis showing that summer electricity bills will rise by about 10% on average for households in the 13 of largest U.S. metro areas.

While solar modules are often defined first and foremost by their capacity, higher module capacity doesn’t necessarily translate to a more efficient system, or even a longer-term yield. Understanding this and reflecting this idea onto customers can be key to delivering the right technology.

The program will allow customers to subscribe to blocks of energy generated by nearly 750 MW of new planned capacity in sunshine state. And while Duke has not yet called the program community solar, some partners have, which could prove to be a dangerous misnomer.

In a busy week of renewable purchases for the banking giant, Bank of America has come to terms with Duke on a power contract for a 25 MW project in North Carolina, set to go on-line in 2022.

Also in the brief: battery energy storage is getting cheaper, but how much deployment is too much? GCube Insurance is issuing a renewed warning to renewable energy asset owners about cyberattacks, REC Group’s flagship REC Alpha solar panel has won the Intersolar Award 2020 for photovoltaics, and more.

Also in the brief: Bank of America signs its first PPA, CS Energy has completed a 33 MW portfolio of solar projects in Texas, RP Construction Services and RECON partner to build tracker projects and more

The Swedish furniture giant has announced it will be turning one of its Australian superstores into its first 100% renewably-powered solar + storage retail project. Australia is also home to the company’s first expansion of its retail solar offering, Solstråle.