Morning Brief: the North Carolina solar industry has weathered Covid well, Vistra announces battery expansion
Also in the brief: Consumers Energy is providing 100,000 Google Nest thermostats to Michigan households, Tesla has quietly made Model 3 ready for bidirectional charging, SolSmart adds new partners.
Job Moves: New CEO at Solaria, plus Primergy, NovaSource, Lithos, EPRI, APS, MEI, ACORE
Executive and boardroom moves in solar, storage, cleantech, utilities and energy VC.
A PV antenna for beaming solar power from space to Earth
Researchers from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory have launched the first orbital experiment with space-based solar power. They launched a 12-inch square photovoltaic module that is expected to test the viability of space-based solar power systems converting sunlight to microwaves outside the atmosphere.
Morning Brief: Trump administration slaps retroactive rent bills on solar, wind on federal lands
Also in the brief: Lightyear gets a key supplier, a nine-project network in New York, the 25th National Solar Tour of Homes and more.
New Columbia Solar closes the biggest-ever tax equity deal for D.C.-based solar
$40 million is coming down the pipeline via an agreement between New Columbia Solar and Franklin Park Infrastructure. The money will not only help New Columbia to expand its team, but also bring 30 MW of distributed solar to the area with the nation’s most aggressive renewable energy standard.
Analysis of energy use during Austin’s stay-at-home order hints at a Texas summer load issue
Significant spikes in air conditioner usage during the first hot days of Austin Texas’ stay-at-home orders have signaled that this upcoming summer may be one where electric demand meets record, worrisome, levels.
Historic Hawaiian tender will increase state’s solar capacity 50%
16 project winners totaling 460 MW in capacity have been chosen by Hawaiian Electric Company to fill its most ambitious renewable procurement yet. The move will bring jobs to one of the areas hardest-hit by virus-related unemployment.
Quinbrook launches Primergy Solar to develop solar and battery storage across North America
The Oakland-based developer is focused on solar-plus-storage and will be developing the massive, new 690 MW Gemini solar project with its 380 MW/1,400 MWh lithium-ion battery.
Wyoming’s 240 MW Dinosolar project advances in the state’s uncertain solar market
The project has obtained one county approval, as Rocky Mountain Power’s plan to increase its solar capacity and retire coal plants early has prompted an investigation by state regulators.
Morning Brief: Secret Air Force space plane to beam solar power to Earth, Tesla’s ‘million-mile’ battery
Also in the brief: DOE kicks off $230 million advanced reactor demonstration program, and the global coal industry will never recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
