Funding for solar inspection by drone, long-duration energy storage, and software for utilities
A roundup of recent funding in renewable energy and cleantech: Quidnet, DroneBase, Eos Energy, Urjanet, and Clir Renewables.
Colleges reassessing energy needs, sustainability goals in the face of Covid-related shutdowns
In an effort to accelerate their renewable goals, a number of U.S. colleges and universities have been using Covid-related shutdowns to assess their energy needs, how those needs are filled and what more they can do.
Morning Brief: Oil-rich Norway finds carbon capture too expensive, House’s $1.5T infrastructure bill packed with pro-solar provisions
Also in the brief: largest operational battery in the U.S., more futile carbon capture and more landfill solar
Proposed merger will make zinc battery developer Eos Energy a public company
Eos has executed a letter of intent for a merger with a SPAC — which would result in Eos becoming a publicly listed company. Investors seem fascinated by energy storage this year, the long-duration variety in particular.
Duke creates REC program for individual retail customers in North Carolina
Under the company’s new Renewable Advantage program, customers can choose to subscribe to 250-kWh blocks of electricity from renewable energy resources, for a monthly charge. Part of the revenue generated by this program will support NC GreenPower’s Solar+ Schools program.
Morning Brief: California’s solar mandate in action, Amazon’s $2B climate fund
Also in the brief: generational climate divide among Republicans, installing solar in the Alaskan tundra
PV module prices are falling faster than all predictions
New research from Wood Mackenzie shows that overall system costs for installations using mono PERC modules are set to fall by as much as 20% by 2025.
Southeast states to add nearly 15 GW of solar by 2023
South Carolina is set to surpass North Carolina in solar watts per customer. Georgia and Florida will exceed the Southeast average, while utilities in Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi will continue to lag. Overall the states will reach 5% solar generation by 2023.
House’s $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill packed with pro-solar, pro-storage provisions
In addition to making the stand-alone energy storage investment tax credit (ITC) eligible and extending a 30% solar ITC through 2025, the House bill creates a direct pay mechanism that can be used in lieu of the ITC.
Morning Brief: Best Buy’s big solar installation, Massachusetts’ largest landfill project
Also in the brief: SolarEdge is set to launch the company’s newest product, Stem Inc has launched its first solar+storage independent power producer site, PCL Construction Services has begun work on the 20 MW Odom Solar Farm and more.
