Distributed solar installed in 2021 nearly matches capacity of all new gas plants
Institute for Local Self Reliance annual update highlights influence of renewable energy in the US energy portfolio.
Sunrise brief: Building solar 2x faster than ever would let California electrify with 100% renewables by 2035
Also on the rise: LG building battery manufacturing plant in Arizona. Wood Mackenzie report says energy storage set new records. Palmetto expands to Utah. Hundreds of sheep will help maintain installation in Alberta. Hyundai Sonata hybrid is equipped with a solar roof
Building solar 2x faster than ever would let California electrify with 100% renewables by 2035
10GW/year of solar and 5GW/year of storage would be needed under that aggressive scenario, according to an analysis for the California Air Resources Board.
Energy storage installations set new records despite supply chain issues
Wood Mackenzie estimates that the US energy storage market broke records in Q4 2021, installing 1,613MW / 4727 MWh.
US DOE invests $5 million in advancing lithium battery manufacturing and workforce
This workforce initiative is intended to boost the nation’s global competitiveness within battery manufacturing, while strengthening the domestic economy and clean energy supply chains.
22 California legislators call on regulators to maintain net metering
The bipartisan group calls on state regulators to reject December’s proposed decision, describing it as policy that could “significantly depress the clean energy market, and negatively impact a California-based businesses supporting a sizable number of jobs statewide.”
Target launches its first net-zero store
The Vista, California big box store and its new carports are topped with 3,420 solar panels. The site will produce more renewable energy than the store’s usage.
Goldman Sachs activates 390MW solar, 561MWh storage in California
The Slate solar and storage project began development in 2015 and is now one of the largest facilities of its kind in the state.
Sunrise brief: Solar supply chain issues–from duties to tariffs to COVID-19 and the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
Also on the rise: Advanced conductors could enable 27GW more renewable power per year. Solar-powered data server network developed to frame the internet as a natural resource. Stanford flips the switch on new solar array, powering campus with 100% renewables. Project between Maui Electric and Paeahu Solar moves forward. Global tracker provider FTC Solar posts 130% growth in 2021. Newer and larger solar plants perform better, while older plants pick up steam with repowering.
Stanford University now running on 100% renewables
Flipping the switch on the 88MW array this week is a major milestone toward its goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
