Solar support in coal country
In the United States, passage of the Build Back Better Act would extend
the solar Investment Tax Credit and offer other clean energy initiatives
that would boost the renewable energy momentum already underway in Senator Joe Manchin’s home state of West Virginia. This is good news for the state and is resulting in unlikely allies.
Equitable solar access strategies under development by DOE-backed program
Residential and commercial solar equity and inclusion plans will be developed by Solar Energy Innovation Network, which recently selected eight teams dispersed throughout underserved areas the US to develop community-level plans.
Missing: Five to ten gigawatts of utility scale solar in 2022
ROTH Capital Partners sees a possibility of 5-10GW of utility-scale solar power facility developers finding it challenging to procure – cost effective or otherwise – solar panels for their projects, with some pushing off construction until Tier 1 products are available for purchase.
Sunrise brief: Utilities appeal FERC denial to leave TVA–decision goes to courts
Also on the rise: LONGi modules detained under Hoshine WRO released. IBC solar cells shows efficiency potential of over 29%. SPI to begin manufacturing in former Sunergy plant. Is accelerated interconnection possible? Build Back Better now or later.
Utilities appeal FERC denial to leave TVA
The decision will now go to the courts, where subsequent decisions and appeals could drag this matter on far into the foreseeable future.
Build back later
After multiple rounds of slashing the total cost of the Build Back Better bill, US senators remain locked in negotiations. Democratic Senator Joe Manchin (West Virginia) voted against an earlier proposal, shocking many, and has now said he will reopen negotiations “starting from scratch.”
Speed up interconnection studies with enforceable timelines and third-party competition, say SEIA and allies
The proposed measures would prompt transmission providers to complete studies on time, the groups said. They asked federal energy regulators for an accelerated interconnection rulemaking.
REC Silicon reports loss in Q4, but remains optimistic
REC Silicon ASA got a boost by Hanwha Solutions’ investment and is now looking to restart Moses Lake facility, along with eyeing opportunities in battery materials.
NREL launches 100% renewables study for Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has 40GW of solar potential, said national lab staff in a webinar. The 100% study will begin by modeling the renewables milestones set by Puerto Rico law.
Sunrise brief: Crossing EV barriers with microgrids and managed charging
Also on the rise: Fire alarms shut down Moss Landing Energy Storage facility. SolarEdge reports record revenue. Mosaic custs costs of solar loans. Policies are working in Illinois, where solar is surging. Wave energy isn’t expected to rival solar or wind power, but NREL sees use cases for the technology. Canada-US-Mexico panel says Section 201 tariffs violate agreement.
