Solar and storage installers officially considered essential workers in California
The list of essential workers during the pandemic includes reporters, liquor store employees, and workers supporting cannabis retail.
California values distributed energy resources fairly — and ratepayers score a big win
Until now, the value of distributed energy resources has been robbed by as much as 50% because the CPUC’s avoided cost calculators did not include avoided transmission costs in valuations of DERs.
Morning Brief: 8minute Solar adds 3 GW of large-scale solar projects to the pipeline, Total wins projects in France
Also in the brief: California regulators will include avoided transmission costs to the valuation of distributed energy resources, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has signed two power contracts, Philadelphia has reopened its Solarize Philly program and more.
Fitch rates 550 MW First Solar-installed Topaz project notes at ‘C’ despite superb performance
The credit rating of the Topaz project has been at “C” since 2019 because of the liability of having a bankrupt offtaker — PG&E. In the meantime, the ratings document affords some insight into mega-project finance and power generation performance.
Los Angeles to explore solar partnership with the Navajo Nation
The partnership would pursue cost-effective solar projects that benefit ratepayers and provide “environmental justice and economic equity to the Navajo Nation,” after the city received power from the coal-burning Navajo Generating Station for decades—and paid less than fair value for coal, land leasing, and water, say advocates.
First Solar signs PV-plus-storage PPAs with community choice aggregators
The First Solar-developed Rabbitbrush project will provide electricity for these two community choice aggregators for 15 years.
Morning Brief: Germany’s solar panels produced record amounts of electricity, Pittsburgh goes renewable for a day
Also in the brief: Montana high school students raise money for a solar installation, Pacific Gas & Electric is tapping into two Li-ion battery storage projects, a startup from Germany has developed a solar-powered UV disinfection station and more.
SunPower pauses its solar cell and module factories, reduces salaries and workweek
The solar efficiency leader remains on track to complete its planned split into two independently focused pure-play solar companies by the end of the second quarter.
Top global Li-ion battery projects: Tesla grows lead as Hornsdale expands to 150 MW
The world’s biggest battery is now rated at 150 MW/193.5 MWh and dwarfs any lithium-ion battery system in operation worldwide.
Utility-scale solar roundup: Pennsylvania, Mississippi and Arkansas develop record-size projects
The number of large solar projects is increasing in the U.S. — and pv magazine is keeping track. We’ve rounded up this week’s big news in big solar and included bonus news of a 100 MW battery project.
