The empire strikes back: NV Energy uses net metering revival to change rates
The Nevada utility holding company’s response to mostly losing the latest battle over net metering in the state is to attempt to ram through a significant rate redesign which the solar industry says would impact not only solar but low-income customers.
Perry out at Energy? Rumors fly as game of musical chairs continues
President Donald J. Trump’s constant reshuffling of administration officials may have the former Texas governor moving to Homeland Security, leaving the Energy Department open to a possibly worse replacement.
Tesla begins pilot deployment of its Solar Roof
The BIPV product is only on the homes of its employees (including its executives) right now, but Tesla predicts that it will begin producing Solar Roof tiles from the Buffalo gigafactory by year end.
Maine’s legislature upholds veto of net metering compromise by two votes
After more than a year of wrangling and a veto by an intractably anti-solar governor, the Pine Tree State’s legislature split over whether to override the veto of the bill that ensconces into law a long-term solar compensation plan. As a result, the bill dies.
MIT researchers develop ‘any surface’ solar cell
A team of scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Initiative has developed a flexible, transparent solar cell, using low-cost organic materials and graphene. The researchers say this cell could turn virtually any surface into a source of power generation.
Co-op solar project goes online in Wisconsin
The first of the projects under Dairyland Power’s 15 MW initiative has come online.
Separate is not equal: Idaho Power wants a new solar class
In a new filing with the Idaho Public Commission, the utility asks to eliminate net metering and create two new customer categories – solar and non-solar.
Indiana’s solar market is still alive, for now
Retail net metering will expire in three tiers, with the first one ending December 31. The bulk of Indiana’s solar market will be in feed-in tariffs, power purchase agreements and utility ownership.
SunPower to sell its stake in 8point3
The high efficiency PV maker has decided not to find a replacement for fellow sponsor First Solar, and instead to get out of the yieldco business.
Community solar goes to Washington
Legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate aims to move community solar forward nationwide. The bill would make permanent a U.S. Department of Energy program that promotes community solar, as well as boosting community solar in low-income communities and encouraging federal government participation in community solar.
