Utility-scale solar doesn’t have to impinge on agricultural lands in California
A new study highlights four alternative types of land that would allow the state’s fertile Great Central Valley and utility-scale solar installations to co-exist in harmony.
Sunnova begs Congress: You must help Puerto Rico restore power
The island’s largest residential solar installer is asking Congress to modify the investment tax credit (ITC) into a cash-grant program, which it says would encourage private investment in the area.
Michigan reports big solar growth in 2017
The Michigan Public Service Commission’s report on net metering shows significant growth in both net metered solar and large installations in 2017.
Xcel reports record low prices for solar plus storage
Documents from Xcel’s Colorado subsidiary show a medium price for PV with battery storage of $36/MWh, the lowest known price to date.
UMass scientists boost polymer-chain storage efficiency
A team from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMass) have developed a polymer based energy storage system, which releases energy on demand as heat. The scientists say that their system utilizes a polymer chain ‘organized like a string of Christmas lights’ and can achieve more than double the storage density of previous polymer based systems.
Swinerton completes 72 MW-AC solar project in Alabama
The Alabama Solar A project will provide electricity to Walmart through a long-term contract.
SEIA hopes to boost commercial solar with document release
A PPA/PACE combination contract, along with a white paper explaining the benefits of solar installations to commercial real-estate owners, is just the latest attempt by the national solar association to boost what it sees as still an underserved market.
Renewables rise to meet 38% of demand on California’s grid in 2017 (w/ chart)
The latest data shows renewables surging in California, as the state’s grid operator moves to become its own reliability coordinator
Florida bill would launch solar+storage pilot program
State Representative Holly Raschein introduced House Bill 1133 on Tuesday, which would create a pilot program in the Florida Keys to see how solar+storage could stiffen grid resiliency during natural disasters like hurricanes.
From the editor: Renewable energy and information pollution
A recent article in Bloomberg View illustrates clearly the mythology and misinformation that abounds regarding renewable energy, which in many cases is spread by the media.
