General Motors to achieve 60% renewable energy thanks to massive Arkansas solar deal
The automaker announced that it has come to terms on a power purchase agreement for a 180-MW solar project set to be constructed in Arkansas. The installation will use modules from First Solar.
Women entrepreneurs are essential to last-mile distribution of renewable energy technologies
A new fund has been launched to provide microgrants of $3,000 to $10,000 to the women entrepreneurs and community organizations working to provide clean, reliable and primarily off-grid power to remote communities.
World’s highest utility-scale solar plus storage project
Built in Gangba County, in Xigaze, Tibet, the 40 MW/193 MWh facility was deployed at more than 4,700m above sea level and is functioning as a demonstration project for the ancillary services the technology could offer the Tibetan grid.
Morning Brief: 39 GW of new solar generation likely online in US by end of 2024
Also in the brief: 6 practical steps to improve community safety near lithium-ion energy storage systems, plus Electriq Power, LS Power and building solar on old mining sites.
Standardization: The sign of a maturing solar industry
The model of industry-wide standardization is one that the solar industry should look to achieve. A set of reliable rapid-shutdown standards will provide installers with the same level of choice and simplicity that other industries enjoy.
Louisiana’s largest solar project sold, largest rooftop project in the state completed
The two big solar announcements come on the heels of Entergy’s new commitment to achieve “net-zero emissions” by 2050, even though these plans still rely heavily on natural gas generation.
Northvolt raises $600 million for lithium battery gigafactory from VW and Spotify cofounder
The European battery manufacturer has raised the funds with a private shares placement which included the co-founder and CEO of music streaming service Spotify.
Morning Brief: Revenue streams of CAISO batteries, Entergy still on the gas, New Hampshire NEM
Also in the brief: EPA raises legal questions about California’s plan to ban new gas-powered cars starting in 2035
What is distributed generation’s real worth for the grid?
A thought experiment by Severin Borenstein suggests how much rooftop solar could reduce transmission and distribution costs.
Solar and wind generation continue to expand rapidly while coal is in a tailspin
The EIA’s most recent Electric Power Monthly report shows that solar has accounted for nearly 3.4% of the country’s generation so far in 2020, with wind being responsible for another 8.5%. Meanwhile, coal has plummeted to just 17.8% of the nation’s total, down nearly 30% from just last year.
