Stepping UP in 2021: #3 Sustainable electricity and corporates’ critical solar role
Despite the global Covid-19 pandemic and recession, corporate purchases of clean energy are booming. Several factors are driving this trend, including falling costs, a heightened appetite for sustainability among consumers and investors, and increased political will for net-zero development. In recognition of this, the UP Initiative spent Q3 2021 investigating sustainable electricity supply. How are PPA models evolving? What are the critical issues around residual energy? And how can greenwashing be avoided? Read on to discover more.
Sunrise brief: Amazon orders up more solar capacity
Also on the rise: The grid is on track to get even cleaner in 2022, APS launches a resi battery rebate, and Westbridge acquires a Canadian solar project.
Amazon procures over 1 GW of U.S. solar projects
The company announced 5.6 GW of solar globally. The first U.S. projects are planned for Arizona and Georgia.
Startup Sunday: Amazon funds transformer-based EV fast charger
Also starting up: Leap Photovoltaic turns to 3D printing to slash solar cell production costs, and solar EV startup Sono Motors files for its U.S. IPO.
Sunrise brief: Bill would expand ITC to include integrated solar roofs
Also on the rise: A report names groups that are anti-solar and reveals their strategies, Illinois limits HOA power over rooftop solar, and SunPower added 13,000 customers in Q2 as it looks for big growth to close the second half.
Sunrise brief: TerraGen lines up $800m in financing for a multi-phase solar + storage project
Also on the rise: Two companies petition for Section 201 tariff extension, Morgan Solar introduces a new data tool, and an insurer wants Amazon to pay for a house fire caused by a defective solar generator.
After a solar generator caused a house fire, American Family wants Amazon to pay
Courts have ruled both ways on whether the online retailing platform can be held liable for selling products that cause damage. The latest case involves a house fire in Minnesota.
Rivian plans second plant to produce EV trucks and batteries
The Amazon-backed automaker is exploring U.S. locations to produce its electric truck and battery cells.
Sunrise brief: Work starts on 465 MW solar project for Amazon
Also on the rise: FP&L installs the first components on its 900 MWh BESS project, and Canadian Solar inks a deal with Santander to fund its EMEA pipeline.
Sunrise brief: Amazon adds renewable energy projects, pushing its total capacity to 10 GW
Also on the rise: iSun books EPC services contract for multi-site solar projects, Honeywell announces a battery energy storage platform, United Natural Foods buys into a 108 MW solar farm, and Secure Futures gains $25 million in equity finance to secure its future.
