California board votes to limit who can install energy storage
The vote by a committee of the Contractor State License Board was not the worst outcome, but it begins a process to limit the kind of energy storage systems that solar installers who do not have an electrician’s license can put online.
Massachusetts’ (proposed) solar home mandate, Capital Dynamics acquires 180 MW: pvMB 8/7/19
Welcome one and all to the first Hump Day MB of August. Today we’ll be looking at Pivot Energy’s 25 MW community portfolio award, Vision Solar’s expansion and the success of Lightsail 2!
Sunrun opposes utility plan to control all new distributed energy resources
A regulatory proceeding raises issues of monopoly control; whether distributed resources will be compensated for providing grid services; and the capability of smart inverters to operate autonomously, without external controls, in response to signals on price, voltage and frequency.
Third-party, or not so third party?
Solar advocates in South Carolina have noticed the close ties between the advisor chosen by the state’s Public Service Commission to set rates for PURPA contracts and the state’s utilities, and are crying foul.
Texas extends tax support for solar power, increases transparency
Governor Abbott has signed 86(R) / HB 3143, which extends the Section 312 economic redevelopment tax abatement law, set to expire Sept 1, for ten years.
From the editor: Functioning democracy looks like Greta Thunberg
If the American people had their way, we would have deployed much more solar by now, and would be further along towards decarbonization. Instead utilities have joined the fossil fuel industries in using their power and money to slow down the energy transition.
Ten days left to register for 500 MW of wind and solar power in Virginia
Dominion Energy is seeking 500 MWac of solar power and onshore wind, the second equally-sized installment of its rolling 3 GW clean energy procurement. The utility wants projects between 5 and 500 MWac, with an intent to bid due on August 15.
Solar and pollinators: a photo essay
All the solar installations shown in this photo essay by Rob Davis of Fresh Energy have a mix of flowering species in sufficient diversity, or covering a sufficient portion of the project, to meet pollinator-friendly standards created by entomologists.
California city seeks “community microgrid” to defend against fire season
Calistoga, California has begun a feasibility analysis with Clean Coalition to build a “community microgrid” to power the city during times of high fire danger when PG&E proactively shuts off its power.
BIPV in futuristic Las Vegas development: pvMB 08/01/19
In today’s brief we also bring you the ARPA-E Reauthorization Act of 2019, a tax on solar panels upheld in Maine, and more.
