Clean energy wins and losses in the California Legislature
While California passed a 100% clean energy mandate and energy storage subsidy extension last week, bills for grid regionalization and accelerated procurement of renewable energy died.
Global EV sales hit 4 million, soaring market sees next million in May 2019
While it took 60 months to reach the first million electric vehicle (EV) sales, in late 2015, it took the fourth million just six months. China is driving this development. Meanwhile, as first generation EVs batteries are reaching their end-of-life, interest in second-life use cases is growing. The volume of retired EV battery packs is set to be 108 GWh by 2029 – representing a third of the expected storage capacity market at that time.
Ohio business community backs 2.2 GW of Ohio solar
Speaking the language of manufacturing, employment, and economic opportunity, five prominent corporations have backed a 2.2 gigawatt solar goal for Ohio by 2030.
GRID Alternatives launches fund to solarize Native American communities
The nonprofit has partnered with more than 40 Native American tribes to install about three megawatts of solar capacity since 2010, and train 550 individuals.
100% clean energy passes California Assembly
The largest political hurdle has been cleared for the world’s fifth-largest economy to eliminate carbon emissions in the electricity sector. The state has also set a 60% by 2030 renewable energy mandate.
Data suggests collapse of PV module imports in the wake of Section 201
Newly released EIA data shows overall module shipments falling by 2/3 in the second quarter of 2018, while pre-tariff prices remained relatively steady.
China files WTO trade complaints against the United States
China has officially filed two complaints with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the United States, in response to its 30% Section 201 and 25% Section 301 tariffs.
Colorado trades away coal and gas for solar+wind+storage
The Colorado PUC has voted to provide initial approval of a plan to retire 660 MW of coal early and not build any new gas, instead constructing over 1 GW of wind, 700 MW of solar and 275 MW / 1.0 GWh of energy storage.
Tri-State could save $600 million by switching from coal to renewables
A study finds that “just the operating costs of many existing coal assets” now exceed total costs for new solar and wind power in the Mountain West. The Tri-State utility, for example, could save $600 million by 2030 by phasing out five coal units in favor of solar, wind and purchases of wholesale capacity and power.
Solar now makes up more than 10% of electricity in five states
Massachusetts has joined California, Hawaii, Nevada and Vermont in the club of states where solar represents 10% or more of in-state generation. Solar made up 2.4% of total generation in the United States during the first half of 2018, with solar and wind together making up slightly less than 10%.
