Policy

There is increasing pressure, globally, for companies to be held more accountable, particularly when it comes to sustainability and just working conditions, and this topic is only growing in importance. With this in mind, pv magazine’s UP Initiative spent Q2 2021 looking at what solar and energy storage companies could do to lead by positive example when it comes to the workers, often far removed, involved in the production of their products and services.

A bill aims to re-establish the state’s former highly effective solar incentive program, which ran from 2017 to late 2018 and led to the installation of nearly 7,500 residential energy systems, 380 commercial energy systems, and more than 100 MW of solar capacity.

Also on the rise: Beaming solar from space is one step closer to reality. Wisconsin looks to add 165 MW of solar. Batteries to the rescue: Changes to California’s net-metering program may seriously erode the value of rooftop residential solar without the aid of battery energy storage. Missouri solar project acquired by Scout Clean Energy.

Batteries are considered a necessary part of a residential solar array to achieve energy bill savings under the proposed changes of California’s NEM 3.0. But the way batteries are expected to be utilized as a result will be a loss for society.

A 30 MW solar PV project on the Island of Hawaii will provide enough power for approximately 15,000 households.

Also on the rise: U.S. could double installed capacity by putting solar on public land. BayWa r.e. donates $20,000 to relief to tornado-ravaged area of Kentucky. Recent acquisition brings Doral Renewables’ development pipeline to more than 5 GW. Five solar PV projects that caught our eye. Toshiba reports better than 8% efficiency for thin-film solar cell.

While federal policy action (or inaction) grabs all the headlines, let’s look back at some of the most impactful state and local developments from 2021.

The top five articles of 2021 show that pv magazine readers really pay attention when innovative new technologies show great potential, are concerned about the lifetime of components in a solar installation, and are tracking the electric vehicle revolution.

Also on the rise: New York Governor unveils ambitious plan for 10 GW of distributed solar by 2030. Colorado co-op to exit utility in order to access low-cost renewables. Engie completes 2.3 GW portfolio that includes 13 projects. Black Bear Solar project to be among largest in Alabama. Phospherene nanoribbon “wonder material” that boosts perovskite performance to 21% efficiency.

The Democratic Senator, who holds a must-have vote, condemned the bill Sunday. Solar stocks fell precipitously at market open Monday.