pvMB 3/7/19: PanelClaw Partners with Yotta, China plans a space-based solar station…and more!
Hey evrybody, the weekend is nearly here, but what’s already here is your Thursday edition of the pvMB. Today we’re taking a look at San Diego Gas and Electric’s time-of-use billing, Microsoft purchasing 74 MW of solar energy in North Carolina, HellermannTyton releasing First Solar module-specific wire hardware and everything else that matters today in solar.
Ten sunniest states added 1.8 GW of small-scale solar
Contractors in California, Arizona and Texas built almost 90% of this capacity. Policy groups in the 10 states aim for fair rates for solar customers, plus community solar. “Snapshot stories” included.
pvMB 3/6/19: Hawaii stays at 27% renewables, GameChange Solar ups production capacity
Happy Hump Day and welcome to your Wednesday edition of the pv magazine USA morning brief. Today we’ll check out a GreenPeace co-founder comparing the Green New Deal to the End Times, ASU dominating the Solar Energy Technology Office awards, GRID Alternatives’ “Solar Spring Break” program and everything else interesting in the industry today.
Third party solar is dead; Long live third party solar
The nation’s fourth-largest residential solar company grew in 2018 while returning to its previous emphasis on the third-party solar model. However, Vivint’s losses are exceeding its estimates of the value that it is creating.
pvMB 2/5/19: Vivint moves into Home Depot, Sonnen appoints new board
Hello and welcome to the pv magazine USA morning brief. Today we’ve got for you John Kasich calling on Republicans to stop denying climate change, 71 Oregon scientists imploring state leaders to act on climate change, and everything else you need to know today.
SunPower brings its A game to high efficiency
The company has rolled out its new A-Series modules as the first product using SunPower’s NGT solar cells, based on larger wafers and a streamlined manufacturing process. But will this be enough to get SunPower back to the black in its finances?
U.S. energy storage deployed grows 80% despite shortages
Wood Mackenzie reports that the United States deployed 311 MW / 777 MWh of grid connected energy storage in 2018, growing 44% and 80%, respectively. The company also noted industry headwinds as market shortages clipped demand, and slowed pricing decreases.
The solar will rise again
Louisiana utility Cleco Power may issue a request for proposals for up to 400 MW of solar capacity some time this year.
San Bernardino County bans large-scale solar, wind in some areas
California’s largest county has banned renewable energy projects that doesn’t serve local needs in 14 communities and “rural living” zoning districts, covering more than one million acres.
Maine House takes first steps to undo gross metering
The Maine House has given preliminary approval to a bill to reverse Former Governor LePage’s policy of allowing utilities to impose rate structures on self-consumed solar.
