Solar power policy update May 3: Minneapolis, SC, MO, CT
In this week’s solar policy update, we bring you Minneapolis’ plan to go 100% renewable, a potential net metering cap increase in South Carolina, legislation to weaken regulatory oversight in Missouri, and more.
Community solar capacity more than doubles in 2017
387 MW of community solar projects were installed in the United States last year. This brings the cumulative total to 734 MW, with the majority in Minnesota and Massachusetts.
Minnesota reaches 300 MW of community solar (w/chart)
Under the state’s program operational community solar capacity in Xcel’s Service area has grown more than four-fold over the last 12 months, with another 381 MW in design or construction.
Enel, NREL partner on three-year solar vegetation study
By doing the research, the partners hope to discover how solar and plant life interact and find effective ways for solar arrays and agricultural lands to co-exist.
NextEra Energy Resources adds to Minnesota community solar boom
Five new projects bring the developer’s community solar portfolio to 66 MW and continues the state’s position as a leader in the space.
New online solar tools
In this guest post Bentham Paulos brings you some of the top new online tools for the solar industry, including irradition maps, decision tools and finance simulators.
Report: 88% of Minnesota’s community solar participants are saving money
The widely praised program, largely under the auspices of Xcel Energy, continues to grow in capacity, with what the utility reports are significant rate-savings for participants.
Minnesota more than doubles installed solar in 2017
Minnesota Department of Commerce’s preliminary statistics show the state reaching 717 MW by the end of 2017, with particularly strong growth in the community solar sector.
Utah, Illinois rank among state-level solar stars, says IREC report
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council named its 2017 Clean Energy States Honor Roll yesterday, highlighting some its favorite solar success stories at the state level.
Cypress Creek constructs 1 GW of solar in 18 months
The developer continues its nationwide expansion, building 800 MW of solar capacity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York and Vermont alone.
