Policy

Also on the rise: Whole home backup solar battery, DC-to-DC electric vehicle charger debut at Intersolar. New Jersey steps ahead with clean energy initiatives. And more.

In a move that was “shocking” to solar and storage provider Sunnova, the California Public Utilities Commission made yet another decision in favor of the investor-owned electric utility giants.

In addition to accelerating the state’s commitment to clean energy, the governor launched the process to adopt a clean cars initiative, which would require all new cars and light-duty truck sales to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035, and more.

While community solar dropped 16% in 2022, it’s still expected to double by 2027, according to a new report from Wood Mackenzie and Coalition for Community Solar Access.

Also on the rise: The IRA will unleash community solar markets. Saltwater flow battery added to solar-on-canal project. And more.

Community solar provides measurable, tangible benefits to the grid and ratepayers. While some may argue about the exact value of these benefits, distributed solar, and community solar specifically, is an integral part of the grid.

Also on the rise: U.S. energy storage market set for take off. Solar turns brownfields into green wellsprings. And more.

The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is set to ignite the energy storage market in 2024, as analysts expect up to 65 GW/260 GWh of projects through 2026. The outlook is for battery project sizes to increase as the pipeline takes shape.

While NEM 3.0 is expected is to slash the rate paid for solar energy sold back to the grid, batteries can help maintain the value of solar. The next wave of clean technology adoption, however, must seek non-lithium batteries and take advantage of new safe and affordable chemistries.