Policy

At the National Community Solar Partnership summit, the DOE laid out plans to try to help meet the Biden administration’s goal of powering 5 million homes by 2025 with community solar.

Also on the rise: Verizon and Leeward Energy sign two PPAs totalling 360 MW. Researchers suggest that six terrawatt hours of energy storage would bring US to net zero. Duke Energy launches grid resilience testing with ‘Bring Your Own Battery’ program.

Net Energy Metering (NEM) 3.0 is expected to crush rooftop solar as proposed. In an Environmental Working Group (EWG) webinar, experts debunked NEM’s assumptions, forecast the damage the proposal would cause to California’s environment and communities. The group issued a call Governor Newsom to shut down the proposal, which many are calling a “tax on the sun”.

Also on the rise: LBNL report looks at increased panel density and electrical generation in utility-scale plants with trackers and fixed racking. Mississippi net metering rules boost low-income incentives. Microgrid on Prince Edward Island moves forward. NREL’s REopt platform helps optimize energy use in buildings. Learn how AI helps find defects in solar panels. CIT arranges $50 million New York community solar investment with Amp Energy. And more.

Under the new rules, all public utility customers are eligible for a $3,000.00 upfront cash rebate for any 3 kW-6 kW that is used, at least in part, for self-supply, while all customers at or below 250% of the federal poverty line can receive a 2 cent/kWh adder to their net metering rate.

US Senator Jacky Rosen led the group in writing a letter today to President Biden, asking him not to extend Section 201 tariffs on imported solar panels and cells.

Also on the rise: What PV installers need to know about fire safety. Experts discuss pricing, supply and demand in PV value chain. How the battery supply chain can bolster EV supply chain. Community solar launched by Lafayette Square and Invenergy. 8minute energy funding boost will grow its already large portfolio. Burns & McDonnell complete three lithium-ion battery energy storage systems in west Texas. And more.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s most recent report, Advancing Equity in Utility Regulation, tackles the idea that that utilities, regulators, and stakeholders need to prioritize energy equity in the deployment of clean energy technologies and resources.

The City of Tallahasee has approved ConnectDER meter collars for residential solar installations, adding Florida to the list of several states with tests and/or rollouts.

Also on the rise: Largest Swedish solar developer opens U.S. headquarters. Discover Battery launches LFP battery system at Intersolar. Department of Justice appeals ITC Section 201 ruling. PanelClaw’s flat roof trackers to be distributed by BayWa r.e.