PG&E files for chapter 11 bankruptcy
PG&E is filing for bankruptcy, and it may get broken up by regulators. None of this is good news for solar project owners that hold contracts with the utility.
Supersized solar plus storage coming to California
In October, California regulators proposed allowing DC-coupled solar plus storage systems to be compensated via net metering for electricity stored in their batteries. This came after NEXTracker’s NX Flow system was verified by UL as charging only from solar power.
pvMB: Borrego Solar breaks 500 MW, Alabama gas+solar+storage microgrid, bill introduced for 100% renewables nationwide
Today’s pv magazine USA morning brief also features the EIA projecting 4.3 GWac of utility scale solar in 2019, SunPower tapping a new executive to lead its technology business unit, President Trump nominating former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler to stay on as the head of the EPA, and more!
Six paths to 100% renewables for Los Angeles
Added transmission, varying levels of distributed generation, and increasing levels of “load modernization” are all under consideration in an NREL study. The results could illuminate paths for California and other states to reach 100% zero-carbon or renewable energy targets.
PVEL splits from DNV GL
The testing lab is on its own again after a management buyout, and Jenya Meydbray is returning as CEO. PVEL will still collaborate with DNV GL on its annual module scorecard.
California grid data is live – solar developers take note
California’s updated maps to the power grid – ICA 2.0 – went online as of December 28, offering insight at every point on the circuit which could affect how much solar can be attached.
Solar tsunami
Developers have applied to build 139 GWac of large-scale solar projects in the territory of six grid operators – around five times what is currently online across the country – and that figure doesn’t even cover the entire United States. By any metric, we are looking at an unprecedented boom in solar development over the next five years.
2018 solar power year in review (part 2)
In part 2 we look at more of some of the action in 2018, from the dramatic growth of the 100% renewable energy movement to California’s mandate for rooftop solar on new homes.
Solar Frontier Americas moves into the IPP space with Mustang Two acquisition
The U.S. subsidiary of the Japanese thin film PV maker has swooped up the 210 MWdc project in California, as its first move towards owning and operating solar power plants.
U.S. utilities test distributed energy management
Distributed energy management systems can capture added value from solar and storage by shaving peak loads, providing grid services, and deferring grid investments. Utilities testing such systems have shared their lessons learned, while Western Australia leapfrogs ahead.
