United States

The startup claims to be “the world’s top supplier of graphene” and plans to release a non-flammable, environmentally friendly lithium battery that can charge “18 times faster than anything that is currently available on the market” — within the next year.

Now that the two-year tax holiday enjoyed by solar and wind projects operating on federally-owned lands is over, project owners and developers are facing back rent with more expensive leasing costs looming in 2021. With federal land being critical to a renewable future, what can be done?

Regulators and community groups can use a new interactive resource to see the emissions impacts of existing and proposed peaker units. Storage developers may also find the tool helpful, to identify peakers likely to be replaced.

Also in the brief: Amazon has announced its first solar energy facility in China, the Borough of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and Sun Tribe have agreed to a PPA, Michael Moore has given climate deniers a platform and more.

Achim Ginsberg-Klemmt has filed an appeal against the denial of a petition to improve the net-metering regulations in Florida. He alleges the company’s 115% generation policy, requirement of insurance on larger residential projects and “As-Available-Energy” rates disincentivizes large residential solar.

Also in the brief: the California Solar and Storage Association has released an eight-point economic stimulus plan of action, PG&E’s restructuring will likely happen later this month, a new solar car, Mark Menezes’ nomination to become Deputy U.S. Energy Secretary and more.

With the inclusion of battery energy storage into new building codes and safety standards, it’s obvious just how mainstream storage is today.

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.

Executive and boardroom moves in solar, storage, cleantech, utilities and energy VC.

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.