Solar roundup: Lower export fees in Michigan and net metering takes a hit in Vermont
Consumers Energy cuts solar export fees in Michigan, while net metering takes a hit in Vermont. And TVA wants feedback on an environmental report for a planned 50 MW solar and 200 MWh storage project in Mississippi.
State solar news: Net metering attacked in Vermont and Utah, Maine goes big in PV
In Vermont and Utah, net metering is under attack — in danger of being significantly devalued or eliminated. In Arizona, the state’s rooftop solar export rates have been saved for at least another year. Outside of policy, Maine has announced the winners of the state’s largest-ever renewable solicitation.
Morning brief: FERC greenlights MISO storage-as-transmission plan, Duke moves towards solar, storage in wake of $1.6B pipeline loss
Also in the brief: On climate, Kamala Harris has a record and profile for action, Vermont EPC Peck acquires California solar company Sunworks
Improving distributed battery programs with load control
While Vermont’s Green Mountain power is paving the way for utilities recognizing customers as generation resources, the company’s BYOD battery program falls just short of maximizing value and load control.
Green Mountain Power expands Tesla Powerwall and bring-your-own-device energy storage programs
Customers now have two options in home battery programs, while also agreeing to pledge some of their stored power for peak reduction.
Morning Brief: TVA solicits 200 MW of renewables, Sungrow supplies the Wright project
Also in the brief: 14 MW approved in Maine, 20 MW approved in Indiana, a molten aluminum thermal energy storage system and more.
Solar and the snow
Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories are working to quantify the effects of abundant snowfall on a PV system and identify cost-effective strategies to mitigate energy losses and reliability issues caused by the presence of snow and ice.
Northeast US added 800 MW of rooftop solar in 2019
Solar contractors across the Northeast U.S. added thousands of rooftop PV systems last year. For 2020, SEIA advocates renewal of New Jersey’s expiring solar incentives, and expansion of New York’s incentive program.
Highview and Encore to develop the first long duration, liquid air energy storage system in the US
Northern Vermont facility will help put more renewable energy on the region’s electric grid
Vermont letting homeowners sell solar power direct to business
Green Mountain Power has launched a real time blockchain tracked peer to peer platform, starting December 2, to allow businesses to purchase solar power from customers who own the rights to the renewable energy credits via a phone app, using LO3 Energy’s backend software.
