Morning Brief: FERC loses commissioner with no replacements in sight, Improving utility-scale bifacial modeling
Also in the brief: Puerto Rico chooses solar over gas in grid redesign, U.S. clean power giants to join forces to build lobbying muscle.
US solar growth in 2020 is driven by giant utility-scale projects
The number of large solar projects is surging in the U.S. — and pv magazine is keeping track. We’ve gathered up the recent news in big solar — with Indiana set to double its solar capacity, and Texas galloping along. Plus, the never-ending Spotsylvania saga.
Which US cities have the highest proportion of solar-powered homes?
Since the 1970s, solar-powered energy has been making a powerful push in the United States — which cities have been leaders in embracing the revolution?
Building a solar market and creating jobs in Southwest Virginia’s coalfield counties
The public-private partnership will put 10-12 MW of solar on commercial rooftops, multifamily housing and schools, but could face regulatory barriers to third-party ownership and net metering.
Can community microgrids fill the gap in California’s plans for 100% renewable energy?
A 10 MW, 40 MWh storage project on the Southern California coastline could provide the first link for a string of community microgrids that, according to the Clean Coalition’s Craig Lewis, could show that high penetrations of distribution-connected solar are entirely doable.
EnerVenue looks to shake up the battery market with metal hydrogen technology
The company launched today with $12 million in seed funding, boasting advantages over lithium-ion in performance, price, operability in extreme weather and decades of use in the aerospace industry.
Long-duration energy storage makes progress but regulation lags technology
Technologies, players and regulatory gaps in the U.S. long-duration storage market.
Avoiding blackouts all together with behind-the-meter storage
Commercial storage company Stem had 100 MW on tap during California’s rolling blackouts, but could only provide 50 MW due to limits on how much power its standalone installations can export.
WattBuy launches address-level electricity cost and carbon footprint calculator
The tool is intended to help solar developers show customers their potential electricity cost savings and their carbon footprint reductions, making that customer more likely to consider the switch to solar.
For lower-cost Southeast power, double the solar and add wholesale power trading
A lower-cost grid would reach 22% renewable generation in 2040, compared to the 5% currently planned by Southeastern utilities, says a study from Energy Innovation and Vibrant Clean Energy. Wholesale power trading through an independent system operator would also help reduce costs.
