Fixed-charge hikes undermine the economics of rooftop solar and storage, elevate consumer costs
Mandatory utility fees, passed in 27 states, distort price signals for rooftop solar and storage, locking households into an expensive, centralized grid framework.
California Senate passes plug-in solar bill
The Plug and Play Solar Act, which passed on a 35-1 vote, would allow portable solar generation devices with up to 1,200 watts of output to connect to a building through a standard outlet. The bill now moves to the state Assembly, which has until August 31 to pass it during the current session.
Bluetti launches new storage systems for balcony PV
Bluetti has launched the Balco 260 and Balco 500, two integrated balcony PV storage systems combining MPPT, inverter, battery storage and smart control in a plug-and-play architecture for urban households.
Bi-directional EV charging company dcbel nears 200 installations in California, plans for thousands more
The Montreal-based company is working through phase 1 of a project partially funded by the California Energy Commission, and has just began serving the Quebec market. As it works to prove its technology can support the California grid and its homeowner customers, the company is planning for phase 2.
As battery lifespans approach 25 years, leasing will become the dominant financial model, says Unigrid CEO
Battery technology company Unigrid has developed a sodium-ion chemistry that can theoretically last for more than two decades while retaining more than 80% of its initial energy storage capacity. Company CEO Darren Tan says that will inevitably lead to a new zero-down leasing model that locks in a long-term source of revenue while delivering benefits to end users.
Solar on canals reduces water evaporation by 70% and algae growth by 85%
The 1.6 MW Nexus pilot project in California has demonstrated that solar panels installed over irrigation canals can significantly reduce water evaporation and algae growth by 85%, while also showing operational efficiency.
Western grid enters new era as CAISO launches Extended Day-Ahead Market
The May 1 go-live of the Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM) marks the first time Western utilities can coordinate large-scale solar and storage resources 24 hours in advance, a move projected to significantly slash curtailment and boost regional reliability.
Manufacturing partnership brings new PV technology to U.S.-sourced solar
Solx’s Aurora hybrid module with Caelux’s perovskite glass aims to compete on performance beyond federal tax sunsets.
California’s regressive rooftop solar policy hit with second appeal to State Supreme Court
Rooftop solar advocates are making a final stand at California’s highest court, arguing that state regulators have been given a free pass to dismantle the industry. After a lower court recently upheld the state’s controversial solar policy for a second time, environmental groups are calling on the Supreme Court to step in and enforce the law.
California powers its massive water pumps with 105 MW Kern County solar project
The state is putting the sun to work on the 2,000-foot heavy lift that keeps California hydrated.
