Policy

Sen. Ed Markey’s CHARGE Act requires forward-looking transmission planning by utilities to lower prices and improve reliability. Among other sweeping changes, the bill requires hourly operational and greenhouse gas emissions reporting in a timely manner.

The bipartisan group calls on state regulators to reject December’s proposed decision, describing it as policy that could “significantly depress the clean energy market, and negatively impact a California-based businesses supporting a sizable number of jobs statewide.”

Also on the rise: Law moving forward in Iowa that would ban solar on any land in state measured at minimal “corn suitability rating.” Target launches first net-zero store.Goldman Sachs activates 390MW solar, 561MWh storage in California. Job moves in solar, storage, cleantech, utilities, and energy transition finance. SEPA offers actions and strategies for utilities and other organizations to meet carbon reduction goals.

The goal of the SEPA Tiers of Decarbonization project is to clarify terms and contexts to allow organizations to accelerate their progress towards a carbon-free energy future.

Law moving forward in Iowa that would ban solar on any land in state measured at minimal “corn suitability rating.”

Also on the rise: Advanced conductors could enable 27GW more renewable power per year. Solar-powered data server network developed to frame the internet as a natural resource. Stanford flips the switch on new solar array, powering campus with 100% renewables. Project between Maui Electric and Paeahu Solar moves forward. Global tracker provider FTC Solar posts 130% growth in 2021. Newer and larger solar plants perform better, while older plants pick up steam with repowering.

“Advanced conductors” can deliver more electricity than conventional transmission lines, using existing transmission towers. Renewables trade group ACORE calls for greater use of advanced conductors, “to accelerate low-cost decarbonization.”

Despite a Maui community group’s allegation of potential harm caused by a proposed solar facility, the project between Maui Electric and Paeahu Solar moves forward.

Also on the rise: 300MW Bighorn Solar Project is complete. To achieve DOE’s goal, we need 700% more community solar in the next four years. MIT scientists develop PV cleaning system based on electrostatic repulsion. Solar drone data assessment shows rise in PV anomalies. Kentucky utility adds more solar as Solar Shares Program gains customers.

To achieve the DOE’s goal of powering the equivalent of five million households by 2025 with community solar and creating $1 billion in energy savings would mean an increase of more than 700% of installed community solar in the next four years.