Maryland

Following dire reports of bee-colony collapses in recent years, at least three new solar sites in Florida and Maryland are trying to provide safe havens for these critical links in the food chain.

In move designed to articulate more effectively its role in uniting solar consumers for the fights around the country for solar-friendly policies, Community Power Network relaunches as Solar United Neighbors.

The home improvement giant will add nearly 50,000 solar panels to new sites in five states in a push to meet its alternative-energy use goals of 135 MW by 2020.

South Carolina and Pennsylvania also saw significant increases in solar permits granted, but California and Colorado both dropped by nearly 30%, according to the latest OhmHome report.

If signed by the governor, two bills will provide tax credits for energy storage systems and study methods to increase storage deployment.

The acquisition allows the Maryland commercial firm to expand its service offerings and explore the possibilities of becoming an independent power producer.

The three-year pilot program is expected to jumpstart community solar in the state, proving the viability of this fast-growing industry segment.

Schneider Electric and Duke Energy Renewables announced an agreement to develop two microgrids to serve the Montgomery County, Maryland, Public Safety Headquarters and Correctional Facility under the microgrid as service financing model.

The national solar association is setting up a committee to focus on solar expansion in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin in a move designed to refocus the association on state-level policy battles, which are where most observers believe the future of solar will now be decided.