Advanced macro grid initiative announced, with funding support from Bill Gates-backed group
Bill Gates and Breakthrough Energy see enhanced transmission as facilitating electrification and grid reliability. Increasing transmission development at the “seams” between regions could save consumers more than $47 billion and return more than $2.50 on every dollar invested.
Sustaining the future of indoor vertical farming with microgrids
Schneider Electric’s Don Wingate discusses how microgrids can help the indoor vertical farming movement realize its full potential.
Earth’s magnetic field affecting PV panel performance
Researchers in Kenya say the geomagnetic field could reduce solar panel conversion efficiency 0.21% between the equator and a 50-degree latitude. Their analysis showed the complex magnetic field can determine increases in module fill factor and falls in maximum power.
PetersenDean, a regional solar installer and roofer, seeks chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
PetersenDean came to solar from the roofing world and has long been a top-ten U.S. solar installer with a multi-state regional practice.
Solar hosting capacity maps must be accurate to be useful
Solar hosting capacity maps, now required in seven states, show where solar can be added on a distribution circuit without incurring any grid expense—but only if those maps are accurate. California’s experience, says a policy paper, shows that best practice guidelines for validating maps are needed to aid state regulators.
Morning Brief: FERC denies MOPR review, Tesla’s longest-range Model S now goes 402 miles
Also in the brief: Community solar for Covid recovery, flaring wasted $750 million of natural gas, and coal’s descent.
Fluence’s sixth generation of storage technology has over 2 GWh of commitments at launch
Featuring a monitoring system that tracks system performance, a comprehensive operating platform and stackable system design, Fluence claims its new solution is capable of reaching gigawatt-sized deployments while driving project costs down as much as 25%.
Keeping net energy metering credits ‘clean’ in California means adding relays and meters
It’s during the interconnection review and approval processes that most developers run into the NEM integrity issue with California’s big utilities.
SEIA calls on FERC to dismiss the petition to end net metering
The Solar Energy Industries Association makes the case for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to dismiss the petition, solely on legal grounds. A filing by Solar United Neighbors, Vote Solar and other groups makes a legal case and also rebuts the petition’s claims about net metering.
450 environmental, energy justice groups urge FERC to reject threat to net metering
Letter demands that net metering remain in state jurisdiction to ensure clean, resilient energy future.
