Technology

As a leader in the global energy transition, California is putting some of the highest levels of solar and wind on its grid in the world to date. And while the state’s grid operator has made some progress, the integration of these resources is currently limited not by physics, but by market rules and operational practices.

The inverter-optimizer manufacturer has expanded from its residential focus and now gets 40% of its revenue from commercial sales. The company is also supplying a soon-to-be commissioned 53 MW-AC solar power project.

GTM Research has delivered its vision for the future of community solar through 2030: delivering opinions on the policy, structure, finance and innovation needed to move the market forward.

RGS Energy, manufacturer of the Powerhouse 3.0 solar shingle system, has passed UL tests for Class A Fire. Additionally, since June 28, 2018, Powerhouse has received an additional $24 million in ‘written reservations.’

Green Mountain Power suggests 500 distributed Tesla Powerwalls plus two larger energy storage facilities have saved its customers $500,000 this summer during peak demand hours.

PG&E has filed an interim report on customer-sited behind-the-meter smart inverters. The utility sees strong potential benefit for the grid with this technology, but says more standardization and reliable communication protocols must be established before a broad roll-out can occur.

Utility regulator Andy Tobin of the Arizona Corporation Commission has filed a docket to explore the potential role of blockchain technology on the power grid, suggesting that we are entering an age of energy technology convergence.

The state’s latest report shows that it has beat its 2020 target for emissions reductions four years early, mostly thanks to more renewable energy.

Solar inverters are turning into the quarterback to the solar modules as wide receivers. And with the need to deliver energy services, talk with the broader power grid, protect first responders and more – the inverter playbook is expanding.

New research revealed at the Intersolar North America conference suggests that the Eastern United States and other temperate regions can integrate more renewable energy than previously expected, with less gas backup. But the real key to the energy transition may be the participation of other power sectors.