AEE, NECEC applaud Rhode Island grid modernization initiative
The two organizations are pushing for the role of utilities to be more of an impartial integrator and market enabler for third-party solutions, as the state plans the integration of more renewables.
OPIC under investigation for loans to Chilean solar projects
An internal U.S. government watchdog is looking at the loans which kick-started large-scale solar in Chile, after at least three of five solar projects have made moves to restructure these loans.
Solar, wind meet more than 10% of U.S. electric demand in March
This is the first time that U.S. wind and solar have met more than 10% of demand in a single month; however individual states led by California and Iowa have reached much higher penetrations.
Powin to supply a 6.5 MW battery for SDG&E
The energy storage provider has inked a deal to provide a 6.5 MW / 26 MWh battery in Escondido, after installing a smaller system for SCE earlier this year.
Sunnova follows Tesla, Sunrun into Hawaiian solar+storage market
The company’s partnership with Sunetric will allow customers to lease solar+storage systems as a package, which will allow them to participate in the island state’s “self-supply” program.
More solar and hydro brings California gas use to five-year low
As renewable energy breaks new output records in California, both the need for and availability of gas in California have declined.
Soltec to launch nextgen SF7 tracker at Intersolar Europe
Soltec plans to launch its next-generation solar tracker, the SF7, at Intersolar Europe. The company claims that the single-axis tracker enables up to five percent greater yield than its competitors.
Trump budget guts solar research at NREL and Berkeley (14 essential documents embedded)
The president’s federal budget for Fiscal Year 2018 includes the expected cuts to renewable energy within the DOE’s walls, but the cuts to prominent national labs – including the elimination of energy-storage research funding at both – could have unforeseen long-term effects on the industry.
DNV GL launches on-demand online solar and wind forecasting tool
The company will be exhibiting the forecasting tool, which will provide on-demand forecasts of select power markets with hourly resolution, later this month in Anaheim.
California utility re-starts gas plant using battery system
Imperial Irrigation District says its use of a battery system to restart a combined-cycle gas turbine is the first such “black start” use of a battery in the United States.
