Sunrise brief: Federal agents raid JinkoSolar factory in Florida
Also on the rise: U.S. solar installers list Qcells, Enphase as top brands. Silicon Ranch plans to appeal $135 million ruling in solar property damage case. And more.
Silicon Ranch plans to appeal ruling in 100 MW solar property damage case
U.S. District Court Judge Clay D. Land issued a May 5 order ruling that Nashville-based Silicon Ranch and IEA are liable for more than $135 million in damages due to sediment erosion and lack of soil control.
FEMA’s $13 billion for Puerto Rico’s grid could shift to solar if lawsuit succeeds
Rooftop solar plus storage would become the focus of FEMA’s spending to rebuild Puerto Rico’s grid, if a federal court grants the plaintiffs’ requests in a lawsuit, said their lead attorney. Equipping every home in Puerto Rico with 2.7 kW of PV and 12.6 kWh of battery backup is one option recommended by an independent study.
Early engagement avoids perils of Wyoming industrial siting
The challenges with proposed permit conditions are likely to get worse, but drawing on the lessons of the past can help new project proponents navigate the pitfalls and emerge from the permitting process positioned for success.
USDA’s $9.7 billion for rural co-ops could leverage 20 GW of clean energy
The nonprofit RMI says that $9.7 billion for rural electric cooperatives under the Inflation Reduction Act could leverage 20 GW of solar, wind and storage capacity. The U.S. Department of Agriculture hopes to begin obligating funds by September.
50 states of solar incentives: Montana
Montana, dubbed the Big Sky Country state, ranks 30th in the country based on its abundant hydro and wind resources, but is ranked 44th based on solar energy output.
Technology toolkit: Solar siting, permitting and land use
pv magazine USA connected with the founders of Transect and Paces AI, both of which provide tools to enable automated permitting, due diligence and siting solutions for the community solar and distributed generation project development market, as well as utility and grid stakeholders.
Court rules that inverter sizing guides grid connection
U.S. Court of Appeals rules that an 80 MWac/160 MWdc solar farm, with 50 MW of battery, meets Qualifying Facility status – 80 MWac or less – under PURPA.
U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board rules in favor of Q Cells in patent dispute with REC
The Board issued a favorable decision for Hanwha Q Cells over REC Solar’s patent claims. The court has ruled that the contested claims of REC’s U.S. patent were not patentable. The decision is similar to those in courts in China and Europe, according to Q Cells.
The clock is ticking on the IRA’s prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements
Developers and contractors should create and implement compliance programs to ensure appropriate record-keeping to substantiate their payment of prevailing wages and use of appropriate apprenticeship programs.
