Policy

Does the update to California’s solar mandate undermine residential solar and storage, as advocates claim? Or does the new definition of “community solar” provide more choice to builders and low-income homeowners? The answer might be “yes” to both questions.

At Solar and Storage Northeast in Boston, panelists comprised of solar experts, policy directors and national community solar leaders sat down to discuss what can be done for the symbiotic relationship between community solar projects and agricultural landowners.

Also in the morning brief: Maine’s renewable procurement, Scatec Solar’s big South African solar plant, Silfab Solar’s manufacturing expansion in Washington, plus the NABCEP conference is next month.

Rocky Mountain Power has proposed an almost 80 percent cut to the rate paid to net metered solar electricity, dropping it from the current 9.2¢/kWh to a rough average of about 2.0¢/kWh.

Pennsylvania’s solar trade association and a state renewables association both call for an update of the state’s solar and renewable goals.

Also in the brief: NYSEIA forms the Long Island Solar & Storage Alliance, Sol-Ark named a finalist for “American-Made Solar Prize,’ Gas South and Cobb EMC break ground on solar + storage project and more.

MISO’s renewables mix is set for a potential shift from wind to solar — if it can confront the challenge of transmission costs.

A new report released by The Brookings Institute looks at the land density and communal opposition issues raised by new renewable development, offering both logistical and policy-driven solutions.

New Jersey can reach its clean energy goals at almost the same cost as “business as usual,” according to a state energy plan. Counting health gains, the cost of clean energy is lower. The plan includes electrification of most transportation and heating.

California has long led the way when it comes to solar deployment – both on the rooftop and at utility scale. The state is now pushing forward with a solar mandate for new homes, which could be a ‘eureka moment’ for the U.S. solar sector.