Business

The patent monopoly is at odds with the global need for battery storage technology and if this norm continues, technology will not be able to be released in time to keep up with current climate goals.

It was a series of firsts, including a profitable full year and Megapack turning a profit that factored into CEO Elon Musk explaining that he has “never been more optimistic or excited about the future of Tesla.” Austin is confirmed as the site of the next Gigafactory.

Also in the brief: Trump finalizes rollback of bedrock environmental law, how justice and climate change are inseparable

The utility has announced two new projects that are set to come online by 2023 and will add 300 MW of new, utility-scale solar to the Hoosier State.

A record-setting 2019 has led into an even stronger 2020, with the company hoping to ramp up success in the typically-busy second half of the year.

Also in the brief: nearly 1 MW of solar has been installed on the roof of a 300,000-square-foot Kroger bakery facility, a big-rig driver installing solar on his truck, camouflage for solar panels and more.

The record-setting quarter was driven by nearly 2 GW of utility-scale solar, supplemented by another 1.6 GW of residential and commercial and industrial. 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.