From the editor: Functioning democracy looks like Greta Thunberg
If the American people had their way, we would have deployed much more solar by now, and would be further along towards decarbonization. Instead utilities have joined the fossil fuel industries in using their power and money to slow down the energy transition.
First Solar’s great ramp forward
First Solar has reported the largest quarterly production run and shipment volume in its history, and more than 2 GW of bookings in July alone. And with more factories underway, the thin film PV maker is just getting started.
Ten days left to register for 500 MW of wind and solar power in Virginia
Dominion Energy is seeking 500 MWac of solar power and onshore wind, the second equally-sized installment of its rolling 3 GW clean energy procurement. The utility wants projects between 5 and 500 MWac, with an intent to bid due on August 15.
Federal PV cost projections spin gold into straw
The same report that expects utility-scale PV costs to fall 54% from 2017 to 2021 also presents a constant-cost scenario from 2018 onward, on an equal footing with the “mid” and “low” cost scenarios. Utilities could be tempted to use the constant (high) cost scenario in their resource plans, and thus plan little or no added solar.
Amazon announces plans for 45 MW of solar
The e-commerce group will invest an undisclosed sum in a 45 MW solar array in the U.S. state of Virginia. It also plans to invest in a 23.2 MW wind farm in Ireland.
Solar and pollinators: a photo essay
All the solar installations shown in this photo essay by Rob Davis of Fresh Energy have a mix of flowering species in sufficient diversity, or covering a sufficient portion of the project, to meet pollinator-friendly standards created by entomologists.
Ranger Power courting buyers to put Nebraska on the solar map
The company has proposed a 230 MW installation just outside of Lincoln and has apparent support from the public, now they need someone to sell the power to.
Bankrupt PG&E trading time for solar and storage discounts
Pacific Gas and Electric Company has requested that its bankruptcy court judge approve a 10% and 11% reduction on five contracts for solar and storage projects under development, in exchange for extensions ranging from 12 to 24 months to deliver working projects.
The rapid maturation of the U.S. energy storage market
This op-ed by Eversheds Sutherland looks at some of the financial drivers and supporting policies that underlie the rapid development of the U.S. energy storage market.
Big Canadian money snatches up Nautilus Solar
The solar development & asset management company has been acquired by a subsidiary of Power Corporation of Canada, which it says will allow it to accelerate its move into community solar.
