California

Also on the rise: California law to require automated, instant rooftop solar permits. Strategies to maximize clean energy development while being good land stewards. And more.

Cutting project timelines and costs, automated permits support a more rapid buildout of clean energy.

VPPs represent an innovative way to efficiently use distributed solar and storage, offering savings and backup power to renters. In California, PearlX and Sunnova, among others, are launching services that connect renters with solar, backup energy storage, and bill savings.

Job moves in solar, storage, cleantech, utilities, and energy transition finance.

Grid controls expert, economist-at-large, and California residential solar customer Ahmad Faruqui shares his views on net metering reform.

A new market for residents to opt in to renewable energy contracts opens in California following Gavin Newsom’s signature on the Community Renewable Energy Act. The law will now be evaluated and implemented by the California Public Utilities Commission.

Also on the rise: Battery manufacturing ramping up in the U.S. Real barriers to virtual power plants. And more.

A Tesla Megapack battery caught fire at PG&E’s Elkhorn large-scale battery storage facility in Monterey County, California, in the early hours of September 21. The fire was brought fully under control by the late afternoon, and its cause is under investigation.

Also on the rise: Fluke unveils the Solar Multifunction Tester 1000 at RE+ in Anaheim. Solar tariffs caused a year of uncertainty–could a U.S. solar supply chain help? And more.

The 2.4 MW rooftop solar array provides about 17% of the convention center’s energy needs, and when not in use, it powers nearby neighbors.