United States

Greater accountability is needed in the interconnection process as outdated and cumbersome policies put the brakes on clean energy development, hindering market growth and the rapid action needed to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Also on the rise: Nova Scotia utility proposes net-metering fee. Research into how rooftop PV systems may affect air and building temperature in urban environments vice versa. Vanadium redox flow battery in microgrid project. Important step for Indiana solar: Utility’s net metering calculation overturned in court. Maxeon to offer IBC solar panels in the US.

In the first of a three-part whitepaper series, S-5! and the Metal Construction Association take a look at symbiotic nature of solar systems and metal roofs, exploring it from a system lifespan perspective.

An initial investment of about $650 million divided evenly among the group will launch the deployment of EV and hydrogen medium- and heavy-duty trucks and charging stations across the US.

The company announced an expanded commercial and industrial push in the states and a partnership with protection and performance plan provider Omnidian. Maxeon said it will offer its interdigitated back contact (IBC) panels in the US.

SDG&E and Sumitomo Electric complete a pilot microgrid project in California that successfully powered utility customers solely with energy stored in a flow battery.

An attempt to circumvent the state’s already-limited net metering guidelines has been overturned in court, in a decision that distributed generation advocates see as an important step in strengthening the state’s market.

Researchers have investigated how rooftop PV systems may affect air and building temperature in urban environments and, conversely, how the urban heat island (UHI) effect may have a negative impact on PV system performance. Their work considered urban air temperature, urban air pollution, the partial shading of the PV system, soiling, building heating and cooling loads, and outdoor shade.

Also on the rise: Three solar installations in Louisiana–one is a Tesla residential. Greenbacker solar project will meet 30% of Middlebury College’s electicity needs. Puerto Rico legislator calls on US Congress to oppose proposed fee on rooftop solar. T-Mobile one step closer to 100% renewable.

Solar Alternatives announced the installation of a 17kW Tesla Solar Roof system with two Powerwall batteries, a first for the state. Interest in distributed solar and battery energy storage are being onset by climate-driven extreme weather.