China imposes new export controls on lithium ion battery technology
The Chinese government has introduced new export controls on key dual-use items, citing national security concerns. The move opened a new chapter in the ongoing trade confrontations with the US.
New standard for U.S. Customs solar supply chain compliance
To help importers vet compliance with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and other supply chain traceability requirements, the Solar Energy Industries Association released the Standard 101, which was recently approved by the American National Standards Institute.
Court orders FEMA to consider distributed solar and storage for Puerto Rico hurricane recovery
“We look forward to FEMA’s new review,” said an attorney for the plaintiffs. Up to $11 billion in federal funds may still be available for Puerto Rico to recover from grid damage sustained from 2017’s Hurricane Maria.
In case you missed it: Six big solar stories in the news this week
pv magazine USA spotlights news of the past week including market trends, project updates, policy changes and more.
Trump administration cancels largest solar project in United States
The Bureau of Land Management has officially cancelled the Esmeralda 7 solar project, a Nevada-based project that would stand among the world’s largest solar power plants, large enough to power nearly 2 million homes.
California adopts battery storage safety legislation following Moss Landing fire
Senate Bill 283 requires battery storage developers to coordinate with local fire departments both before submitting their project applications and after installation is complete.
Newsom vetoes another bill to curb California’s rising energy demand
Gov. Newsom said the virtual power plant bill would not have improved electric grid reliability planning because it did “not align with the California Public Utility Commission’s Resource Adequacy framework.”
Idaho drops solar compensation rates by 31%
After utility Idaho Power proposed paying 60% less for the energy it buys from rooftop solar owners, the utilities commission landed about in the middle, deciding to cut net metering rates by 31%.
California required new hardware for dynamic pricing, and manufacturers built it
As California works to launch opt-in dynamic pricing of electricity that favors low-cost renewables, three manufacturers now offer 73 models of a type of price-responsive device.
Republicans could legalize community solar in Ohio soon, but with a caveat
Ohio lawmakers picked up legislation that ran out of time during last year’s session, this time changing the proposed “community solar” pilot to “community energy.”
