Kansas

A new report explores who is behind efforts to curb distributed energy and solar deployment. In this part, we look at the report’s investigation of state-level campaigns focused on the Midwest and West.

Through 2030, the utility said it plans to add 3,200 MW of renewable generation, including both solar and wind. It also plans further coal retirements.

Clean energy advocates praised the utility commission’s ruling as a major victory. Some regulators, however, suggested they may be open to similar fees in the future.

The 5.1 MWh system will include blackstart capability to help the Kansas Power Pool recover from a grid outage.

Also in the brief: Utah lawmakers push to block cities from banning natural gas. Climate risks are accelerating. Here’s what Duke, PG&E and 16 other utilities expect to pay, plus Invenergy signs up customers for $1.6 billion, 1,310-megawatt Samson solar energy generation facility.

Kansas’ largest utility Evergy wants to charge PV panel users — or everyone, plus Dominion fighting community solar, Utah PSC decides to lower export rate.

Also in the brief: NextEra developing a 500-MW solar/500 MW battery project in Kansas, PV system output during California smoke is near zero, solar in Wyoming and Sunrun is cleared to acquire Vivint by US DOJ.

Also in the brief: Evergy launches a ‘Sustainability Transformation Plan,’ SOMAH celebrates its first birthday and more.

Also in the brief: IREC on energy storage interconnection, Wunder Capital and partners to invest more than $100 million in U.S. commercial solar, Photosol buying land rights near coal plants with eye toward transmission, and NREL on recycling solar panels.

Also in the brief: Alchemy Renewable Energy has closed on deal to acquire a 44.5 MWdc solar energy portfolio, Ormat Technologies has begun the commercial operation of the Rabbit Hill Battery Energy Storage System, Kansas’ largest solar project ever has officially gone live and more.