Texas

Several inverter makers could be hit by the Trump Administration’s move to increase tariffs on imports including inverters from China, but many are already shifting manufacturing to other locations.

A study by UT-Austin finds that 11 GW of solar power in Texas would be the optimal capacity to complement the state’s existing wind generation in meeting electricity demand throughout the year. While the results reflect a carbon price scenario, they may still provide near-term guidance.

ERCOT has set mid-day demand records, while aiming for pricing maximums over the past week as summer heat broke state records – all of which creates tremendous opportunities for solar.

MMEX Resources has begun negotiations for additional acreage at the site of its distillation plant and refinery to add 75-100 MW of solar power. The company already has 1 MW installed.

The company is planning pilot U.S. inverter assembly in Texas, while it scouts for manufacturing locations in the U.S. Midwest.

In this op-ed for pv magazine, Will Driscoll examines the findings of a NERC report which show that the reliability factor known as frequency response—once seen as potentially challenged by added solar and wind power—is improving.

Vistra Energy plans to add a 10 MW / 42 MWh lithium-ion battery to the 180 MW-AC Upton County Solar 2 solar power plant. The energy storage project is scheduled to come online in Q4 2018.

E.ON’s first move into the Texas solar power market is a 100 MW-AC solar project located in West Texas. The company announced an agreement to sell 50 MW-AC worth of the output to SK E&S Co, one of South Korea’s largest energy companies.

Fengate Real Asset Investments announced a $100 million equity commitment and co-development partnership with Texas-based PowerFin Partners, along with the acquisition of a 9.1 MW portfolio of operating solar projects in Austin and San Antonio.

Thanks in no small part to modules stockpiled before the Section 201 tariffs hit, both the utility-scale and “non-residential” market segments grew year-over-year in Q1. And while the duties are expected to play a greater role in 2019, there are other factors supporting ongoing market growth.