Solar laggards: The five states with the least amount of solar installed
As solar power surges forward in states like California and Texas, a handful of states trail far behind, raising questions about the missed opportunities for energy independence and environmental benefits.
Sunrise brief: South Dakota solar up 3600% in 2023
Also on the rise: April total eclipse to impact solar generation from Mexico to New England. Zero Emission Transportation Association launches EV resource page. And more.
South Dakota solar up 3600% in 2023, doubling again in 2024
South Dakota had a solar energy surge with the activation of its first utility-scale facility, an 80 MWac project. The state anticipates a doubling in capacity by 2024, with the addition of a second 128 MWac utility-scale solar facility.
Solar season slows, wind power rises
From January through October 2023, solar photovoltaics contributed 5.78% to U.S. electricity, with just over 6% coming from the source in October alone.
Software provider introduces hail detection solution for solar projects
Hail events have historically posed a considerable risk for utility solar projects, with weather instances creating up to $100 million in damages at large projects located in “Hail Alley” states such as Texas.
50 states of solar incentives: South Dakota
The state has just 2 MW of installed solar capacity, but its integrated resource plan includes 120 MW of clean energy resources by 2025, which includes 100 MW of wind or solar generation, and 20 MW of energy storage divided equally across the two states.
Sunrise brief: Silicon cost per watt down 96% over last two decades
Also on the rise: Waste-to-hydrogen facility to fuel transportation in California. BP to construct 134 MW project in Ohio for Meta. And more.
The largest solar project in South Dakota begins construction
National Grid is developing the 128 MW facility and has secured a power purchase agreement with Basin Electric Cooperative.
Morning Brief: South Dakota’s largest project has a buyer, largest solar-plus-storage project in the Caribbean
Also in the brief: Safari Energy completes 60th commercial solar development, a 28 MW installation in New Jersey, Nautilus Solar acquires 3.5 MW Rhode Island project, solar aircraft designed to stay aloft for a year makes maiden flight.
Midwest and Northern Tier states added 400 MW of small-scale solar in 2019
Solar contractors added far more small-scale solar in the 19-state area than in 2018, when they added 250 MW. Solar policy groups aim to improve opportunities for distributed solar in Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota and Montana.
