California

Also in the brief: Chinese EV startup Nio has secured a $1 billion investment, Kore Power has entered into a strategic partnership with ELM FieldSight, Nautilus Solar Energy has closed on a $90 million debt financing agreement and more.

Also in the brief: Wärtsilä delivering a 70 MW energy storage project in CAISO and the DOE Solar Desalination Prize.

Renewable energy development can be the catalyst for restoring our economic strength post-Covid-19. Founders of Navajo Power along with Kevin De Leon, Los Angeles City Council candidate, make their case.

The list of essential workers during the pandemic includes reporters, liquor store employees, and workers supporting cannabis retail.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The First Solar-developed Rabbitbrush project will provide electricity for these two community choice aggregators for 15 years.

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.