pvMB: El Paso’s 2 MWac RFP, Boston’s hybrid buses, Jay Inslee runs on a climate platform & more!
In today’s pvMB, we look at Michigan’s outgoing governor vetoing solar property tax exceptions, Jay Inslee’s plan to run for president on a climate action platform, Boston’s new hybrid bus fleet, and more.
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.
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.
First Powerhouse purchase order
RGS Energy has announced it’s first purchase order for its Powerhouse 3.0 solar roof shingle kit, which follows an announcement of the onset of assembly of solar components and wire harnesses on December 11.
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.
Off grid solar powered electric vehicle charging in NYC
New York City is installing 50 of Envision’s EV ARC mobile solar-powered EV charging stations with integrated energy storage. The dual axis tracking hardware holds batteries and 9 solar modules.
Solar securitization shines on winter solstice
Sunrun’s Athena, a portfolio of 34,493 solar leases and power purchase agreements totaling $322 million, has been priced and closed at a 5.55% yield.
Higher module efficiencies and inverters driving solar power cost declines
NREL’s Q1 2018 cost report for solar power systems saw a 5% drop in residential costs and a 2.6% fall in commercial, but a 1-2% increase in the utility scale space compared to the previous year.
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.
$15 million for solar in San Antonio, with a local twist
CPS Energy has made available up to $2500 per home and 60¢ per watt for business solar installations – with bonuses for locally produced solar modules, and a 25% lower incentive for non-local installers.
