Enel and Raptor Maps to develop AI drone software for operations and maintenance applications
Enel Green Power North America and Raptor Maps will develop AI-based drones to reduce O&M costs. Kicking off this month, the project will see its first batch of 30 field workers trained by the end of the year. Both companies already have the relevant technology in their portfolios.
Minnesota gets its first large-scale energy storage system (and you get free solar honey!)
Connexus Energy has broken ground on two solar+storage facilities – totaling 10 MW-AC solar and 15 MW / 30 MWh of energy storage. When connected by end of year, they’ll be the first large-scale energy storage systems put online in Minnesota, and the largest energy storage for a co-op in the United States.
11 GW of Texas solar would complement existing wind power
A study by UT-Austin finds that 11 GW of solar power in Texas would be the optimal capacity to complement the state’s existing wind generation in meeting electricity demand throughout the year. While the results reflect a carbon price scenario, they may still provide near-term guidance.
New York recommends “stopgap” measures to modify solar compensation
Two white papers issued by state regulators call for modifying the Value of Distributed Energy Resources calculation and increasing credits available for community solar projects. SEIA describes this as “forward progress”.
Solar power assets included in “AAA” commercial bond offering
CleanFund has closed on a $103 million bond for a portfolio holding building efficiency, seismic, water conservation improvements, as well as solar assets. A 5 MW project was noted as having received a 20-year term at 5.6%.
RI judge rejects solar project, rules solar to be “manufacturing”
A judge in Rhode Island has overturned a proposed solar farm in Portsmouth, ruling that modules “manufacture” the electricity they generate.
SolarEdge ships nearly 1 GW of inverters during Q2
The inverter and power optimizer maker showed 67% year-over-year revenue growth and shipped 985 MW of inverters but missed earnings projections by 2%.
40 million EV charging points for 11% of all cars by 2030
GTM Research has published an analysis of the global electric vehicle infrastructure of 2030. The group sees ten times more public charges than home chargers, and in North America alone sees $13 billion in electricity related revenue due to EVs in 2030.
Locals push solar power from the bottom up in Maine
In a state whose governor is staunchly anti-renewable energy, more than 25 municipal projects have been built and an island is pushing for energy independence by 2030.
Tesla’s mad growth in energy storage
In the first two quarters of 2018 Tesla deployed 40% more energy storage than all of 2017, with 300-400% growth expected for 2019. Solar power deployments grew 11% to 84 MW over a low Q1 value.
