El Paso has impressive clean energy potential, but its utility is trying to block solar’s growth
In this op-ed, Environmental Defense Fund’s John Hall argues that El Paso Electric’s recent rate proposal, including discriminatory rates for pv system owners, will undermine the city’s ability to reach its potential.
San Antonio continues its transformation into “Sun” Antonio
A recent City Council decision to join the SolarHost program could save the city $11,800 per year.
Cheap gas and renewables are making merchant power untenable (w/ charts)
A new report by Power Research Group and Wilkinson Barker Knauer finds that cheap natural gas, wind and solar make it impossible for merchant plants to recover invested capital, and threaten the basic operation of wholesale power markets.
Texas researchers develop new method for solar desalination
A team of researchers from Rice University in Houston, Texas has developed a new method for using solar power to desalinate sea water. Part of a federally funded research effort into water treatment , the team has developed a system utilizing a combination of membrane distillation and nanophotonics to turn salt water into fresh drinking water.
California’s residential, commercial markets show slight rebound in May (full report here)
OhmHome’s May Solar Index report shows solar permits in the Golden State rose 12% from April, with Arizona close behind with 10% growth.
Sunrun expands to Texas
The company will start its solar odyssey in Houston, but promises that it will expand its service area to other Texas cities in the coming months.
Stem and Austin Energy Aggregate Energy Storage
Stem is developing an aggregated network of commercial customer-sited energy storage in Texas through collaboration with Austin Energy, tapping part of a $4 million utility grant from DOE.
Solar, wind meet more than 10% of U.S. electric demand in March
This is the first time that U.S. wind and solar have met more than 10% of demand in a single month; however individual states led by California and Iowa have reached much higher penetrations.
Senator Chuck Grassley questions DOE grid reliability study
The Republican senator from Iowa has stepped in to the debate, expressing concerns about the study’s credibility and whether or not its conclusion has been pre-determined.
Vistra to build Texas’ largest solar plant
The power company has bought the 180 MW Upton County Solar 2 project in West Texas, and signed a contract to have the project built.
