Michigan

A U.S. research team developed a new technique to produce hydrogen from sunlight and water. It works in an indoor environment and uses pure water, concentrated solar light, and an indium gallium nitride photocatalyst.

Rust Belt states of the Midwest have estimated production capacity of 30 GW to over 100 GW per year of EV batteries, with California and Ontario adding capacity as well.

Consumers Energy files a settlement agreement to raise its cap on distributed solar generation from 2% to 4%, bumping up one of the nation’s most restrictive rules. The settlement includes other clean energy and equity provisions.

Also on the rise: Michigan’s regulator appears friendlier to solar. Canadian Solar’s battery business inks a large supply agreement for a global investor. And more.

The state’s Commission was not convinced by DTE Energy’s argument that distributed energy causes a cost shift, and that the utility improperly modeled the benefits of distributed generation.

Governors-elect in Maryland and Massachusetts aim to speed deployment of solar and wind power, while in Minnesota and Michigan, re-elected governors could submit their clean energy goals to legislatures with new Democratic majorities. Arizona might join the club.

Also on the rise: Are sheep eligible for the ITC? U.S.-made mobile lithium-ion batteries for utility-scale market. And more.

The microgrid helps the utility achieve goals laid out in the Michigan Department of Environment’s Energy Storage Roadmap to spur installation of 1 GW of energy storage projects by 2025 and 4 GW by 2040.

Michigan-based American Battery Solutions’ new Energy Storage System division announces the TeraStor platform and StorView management suite designed for large-scale energy storage projects.

Also on the rise: Ford Motors commits to largest purchase of solar energy from a utility. Michigan pledges to cover over 1200 public buildings with solar. And more.