California

The company offers a battery, hybrid inverter, shutdown devices, and more.

Virtual power plants (VPPs) coordinate distributed resources and demand for a more resilient, cost-effective energy transition. And they are gaining traction in the United States.

A study conducted by researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory shows that microgrids with solar-plus-storage systems can keep the average levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and annual public safety power shutoffs below 30 cents per kWh and 2 to 3% of annual energy demand, respectively.

Also on the rise: Canadian Solar announces 5 GW Texas module factory. $7 billion in EPA grants to advance low-income residential and community solar. And more.

California has long been the leader in solar adoption, investing over $90 billion in the technology to date.

Also on the rise: SolarEdge to integrate Vaillant, Samsung heat pumps with residential PV. Solar-plus-storage microgrids to replace diesel generators in Mojave water conservation project. And more.

Scale Microgrid will outfit 25 to 30 water wells each with a 1.12 MW ground-mounted solar array paired with a 634 kW / 2.66 MWh battery system, and 380 kW low-emissions combined heat and power generation system.

Also on the rise: Goats perform O&M at Oregon community solar project. Solar recycling/remanufacturing plant in Tennessee. And more.

Assuming all other residential electricity consumption remains flat—a trend ongoing since 2006—the report’s calculations find that California will require a 20.2% expansion of electricity generation, from nearly 280 TWh to an estimated over 336 TWh to meet its EV mandates and additional charging required by 2045.

Also on the rise: Solar power crosses the political aisle–$75 million for agrivoltaics research. Orsted to recycle all the solar modules in its U.S. portfolio. And more.