Saving water with solar and wind
Scientists at Princeton have found solar and wind energy offer the added environmental benefit of reducing water usage, by comparison with hydroelectric dams. Their findings, say the researchers, could have a positive impact on groundwater sustainability in drought-prone regions such as California, where they conducted a case study.
California CCAs seek distributed energy storage to keep the lights on
Three Bay Area CCAs and a municipal utility are seeking a total of 33 MW of batteries and/or solar and batteries at residential and commercial sites. This is not only to fulfill state requirements, but to provide power during outages.
Finding America’s most solar city
Cape Analytics has published a report breaking down which cities in America are home to the most solar per capita. Not to spoil anything, but be prepared to see a whole lot of California.
Montana utility wants gas units; Sierra Club suspects biased modeling
In developing its resource plan, NorthWestern Energy apparently used modeling assumptions that favor gas-fired generation, says the Sierra Club. The group has filed a legal motion requesting access to the modeling inputs, and to the model itself.
PG&E, but run by the people
California Governor Gavin Newsom, in expressing his dissatisfaction with PG&E, has proposed that it is not out of the question that the state could intervene in the restructuring of the utility. But what would this kind of government intervention look like and what would it mean for solar?
Dominion’s biggest project ever, EDP’s big buy: pvMB 11/5/19
Hello one and all and welcome to the beautiful pvMB. Today we have RES building a 57.5 MW plant for Origis, Fisker naming its new electric SUV with solar capabilities, the launch of Solar Cup and more!
Sacramento utility proposes eschewing rooftop mandate with community solar
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District has created a proposal which would allow homeowners to opt-into community solar programs in lieu of installing systems on their roofs.
SoftBank expands U.S. holdings with massive solar buy
SB Energy has bought 1.7 GW of solar projects under development in California and Texas from fast-growing developer Intersect Power.
Power shutoffs cause a battery boom in California
Contractors across California are seeing greater demand for battery storage than ever before in response to PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs. With the threat of blackouts on the 10-year horizon, customers have decided to take their power into their own hands.
Empower Energies partners with Hannon Armstrong, solar in an oil field: Halloween pbMB
Hello energy ghosts and ghouls and welcome to a haunted edition of the pvMB. Today we have 4 MW carport project, the Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality’s pollinator-friendly solar kit and a survey done in Florida which shows a high % of residents are concerned about climate change. BOO!
