Michigan utility will phase out coal by 2040, CEO says
Consumers Energy says it wants to reduce its carbon emissions by 80% on the same time frame as it completely phases out coal and replacing it with renewable sources like wind and solar.
Connecticut proposes “40% by 2030” renewable energy mandate, replacing net metering
Connecticut’s governor has put forward a bill to extend the state’s Renewables Portfolio Standard, but also to replace net metering with a system where customers with solar are paid for energy and RECs under a 20-year contract.
Puerto Rican school benefits from sonnen microgrid
The rest of the U.S. citizenry appears to have forgotten about Puerto Rico and the suffering of its people (also U.S. citizens) – but companies like sonnen and Pura Energía are working to return electricity to critical infrastructure projects like schools.
Report: Chinese module imports climbed sharply in Q4
1,200%. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, that’s how high imports of Chinese modules rose in the fourth quarter last year in a desperate attempt to stockpile sufficient numbers before tariffs choked off international supplies.
Michigan solar total remains low among renewable energy options
The total volume of PV in Michigan remains small for the size of the state, especially as a percentage of renewable energy, as reported by state regulator.
Global storage growth of 4.6% in 2017 reflects patchy state of sector
Despite hitting a record 1.17 GW of new grid-scale storage capacity in 2017, growth was a mere 4.6% on 2016 having surged 61% the year prior. Industry’s reliance on policy support means foundations for growth remain uneven, report finds. Average costs, however, fell by 24% last year.
Enel, NREL partner on three-year solar vegetation study
By doing the research, the partners hope to discover how solar and plant life interact and find effective ways for solar arrays and agricultural lands to co-exist.
Massachusetts bill to supercharge clean energy goals
A new version of a bill to set 2030 and 2040 greenhouse gas reduction targets will also increase the state’s renewable energy mandate, remove net metering caps and do a lot more.
NextEra Energy Resources adds to Minnesota community solar boom
Five new projects bring the developer’s community solar portfolio to 66 MW and continues the state’s position as a leader in the space.
FERC opens markets to energy storage, begins distributed energy proceeding
As the completion of the multi-year rule-making the federal agency will require grid operators to value the contributions of energy storage, and begins a process to look at how aggregated distributed energy resources can compete in wholesale markets.
