Bill to extend California’s SGIP energy storage subsidy passes committee
If passed, SB 700 will extend the Self Generation Incentive Program for another five years and add up to $700 million in funding. It now has eleven days to pass the Assembly before the session ends.
New coalition gives solar developers a voice at RTOs, FERC
Several utility-scale solar developers have come together under the Solar RTO Coalition, which is already making formal comments in FERC proceedings on PJM’s capacity market redesign.
A plan for California to kick the gas habit
A set of analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists show distinct pathways for California to lower its total gas plants from 89 units today, down to 33 units. The analysis suggests a combination of 25 GW of solar, wind, storage and more.
China to file WTO complaint over Section 201 duties
China’s Ministry of Commerce is arguing that the 30% import duties on solar products from China and other nations do not comply with WTO rules. The Chinese government added that its solar industry could be seriously damaged.
Solar could replace 2.73 GW of PacifiCorp coal units, at lower cost
A simple comparison of per-MWh costs for solar versus PacifiCorp’s existing coal-fired generation found that new solar would cost less than the going-forward costs of 11 coal units with a combined 2.73 GW of capacity.
SEIA hires John Smirnow, Tony Chen
Trade lawyer and former VP John Smirnow will rejoin the trade group. SEIA has also hired Tony Chen, formerly of SolarCity and Cool Earth Solar.
Saudis may take Tesla private
Elon Musk has revealed that a Saudi sovereign wealth fund has approached him with a definite offer, and has announced advisors as the company forms a special committee.
Fossil interests, utilities spend almost 10x more than renewables industries on lobbying
Drexel University researchers have shown that $2 billion was spent lobbying Congress on climate-related issues between 2000-2016. Electricity utilities, fossil fuel producers and transportation groups dominate the sources of money put into this process.
The future of California’s grid waits on two bills
Clean energy advocates are trying to move a bill mandating 100% renewable and zero-carbon electricity and a separate bill to clear the way for regionalization of the power grid before the end of the state’s legislative session.
Sunrun hits new heights in Q2 results
The quarter’s 91 MW is the highest volume deployed to date and confirms its place as the nation’s largest residential solar company, as new IRS rules provide benefits beyond 2020.
