Policy

The property tax exemption follows on the heels of passage of the Clean Economy Act, which is expected create up to 29,000 solar jobs while providing market opportunities for distributed generation and utility scale solar. 

Also on the rise: Largest solar project in Wisconsin gets regulatory approval. Aspen Power to acquire 53MW of community solar projects from Trajectory Energy Partners. 6K awarded $1.5 million Massachusetts manufacturing grant to fund battery recycling equipment. Solar anti-circ investigation may not be determined by Commerce until late August, said ROTH.

Connecticut administers strong solar-supportive state policies, a benefit to its residents who pay nearly 50% more than the national average for electricity.

An untenable level of risk onset by the Department of Commerce’s anticircumvention investigation has essentially shut down US procurement of PV modules, and Commerce is expected to take its full allotment of 150 days to make a ruling, said an industry note from Philip Shen, managing director, ROTH Capital Partners.

New York State is the number one community solar market in the US, and the largest market for Nautilus, which now has over 87MW in operation in the state.

Also on the rise: Solar on pace to save the world. Solar investments are scaling up, but inefficient O&M is weighing them down. Kevin Hostetler named CEO of Array Technologies. AgriSolar tour makes first stop at Biosphere 2. Boviet Solar R&D initiatives include 600W modules, N-Topcon, and HJT cells. With acquisition of Green IT, Radian Generation adds cybersecurity to its asset management toolbox. County-wide community solar campaign launches in New York. Gloomy IPCC report notes that capital flowing to fossil fuels still greater than that directed toward combating climate change.

In a preliminary presentation of data from its survey on the impact of the investigation, SEIA shared that 90% of those who responded expect a severe or devastating impact on their business.

A think tank analysis suggests that if solar power keeps up its growth pace, along with wind, then the global power sector will meet its carbon reduction targets to keep world temperatures in check.

Photovoltaics can wipe out 4.25 billion tons of carbon emissions every year this decade, according to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Even so, the actions announced so far remain way short of what is needed, with capital flows to fossil fuels still greater than the cash directed toward combating climate change.

Neighborhood Sun is partnering with OYA Solar and Climate Smart Communities to educate New Yorkers about community solar, plus they’re offering a sign-on bonus.