Monopolies in Michigan fear solar, deliver some of nation’s most expensive electricity
An analysis by Michigan Technological University shows how Michigan utilities use political influence to push back against distributed solar generation, leading to some of the nation’s highest electricity rates in the Upper Peninsula.
Puerto Rico is on its way to 100% renewable electricity
A bill to mandate that the island’s electric system move to 100% renewable energy by 2050 has passed the Puerto Rico Senate and is being sent to the House for reconciliation, the last stop before it is expected to be signed by Governor Rosselló.
Big cheese gets big solar+storage proposal
Invenergy has proposed a solar project up to 200 MWac / 300 MWdc in capacity with a 50 MW / 200 MWh battery in Kenosha County, Wisconsin.
Solar power brings in the big (lease) money for Washington State
Avangrid Renewables has signed a solar energy power contract with Puget Sound Energy for a 150 MWac solar power plant, the first solar power project over 30 MW in the state to reach this milestone. The land lease rate of $300/acre/year is 150x the prior $2/acre/year grazing rights the state land was paid.
Solar for the many, not the few: An interview with Nexamp CEO Zaid Ashai
In this interview SEIA board member and Nexamp CEO Zaid Ashai shares his views on a variety of topics, from community solar to the Green New Deal and the need for a big tent to solve big issues.
Despite 2018 gas build-out, U.S. fossil fleet is still at 2006 levels
Per U.S. Department of Energy figures, the United States has retired just over 147 GWac of coal and gas, while building 143 GW of the same sources (almost all gas) during the last 12 years.
Energy storage, EV jobs boom in the United States
A new report by Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) shows energy storage jobs growing 14% and EV jobs growing 16%, despite China’s dominance in lithium-ion battery technology.
New Mexico will be the third state to go 100%
With the passage of the Energy Transition Act in both houses of New Mexico’s legislature, the state is poised to join California and Hawaii in setting a mandate to fully decarbonize its electricity system by 2045.
After a tough 2018, solar is getting ready for a major boom
Definitive solar market data by Wood Mackenzie and SEIA show tariffs taking a bite out of the U.S. market, but also a near-record number of new projects under contract.
PG&E and the future of U.S. utilities
California utility Pacific Gas & Electric’s bankruptcy points to a crisis not only at the company, but in the business model for utilities in the United States. And it is far from clear what will come next.
