Morning Brief: City Electric Supply enters residential solar, Spruce Finance acquires 31 MW residential portfolio
Today in the morning brief, Mosaic passes $3 billion in funding, Sunfolding is a 2020 global greentech company, environmental advocates applaud APS’ carbon-free commitment, and more.
Arizona regulators mock utility, set solar power standard contract at 18 years long – is a PURPA solar boom coming?
For the first time, the state’s public utility commission has created a standard contract length for PURPA solar projects — in stark contrast to utility APS requesting a two-year term.
APS announces wind, solar RFP amid pressure for 100% clean energy
The Arizona utility has announced two solicitations that will increase its renewable energy portfolio to 2.5 GW by 2021, as a coalition of more than two dozen groups submits a proposal for a shift to 100% clean energy.
Batteries for days in Arizona
Arizona Public Service has announced a plan to deploy 850 MW of new energy storage, as the largest battery procurement by a utility we’ve seen to date. This includes adding batteries to its fleet of existing solar plants, building new solar + storage plants, and using storage to meet evening demand.
AZ Commissioner Justin Olson answered questions about energy policy by copying parts of an APS memo
The latest research by Energy and Policy Institute finds yet another potentially improper interaction between an ACC member and a utility that he is tasked with regulating.
Arizona utility pushes smarter energy use to maximize daytime solar power
Arizona Public Service has announced three new residential energy programs hoping to financially motivate customers to use cheaper daytime electricity via HVAC, energy storage and hot water heaters.
Utility-funded Harvard group has given tens of thousands in airfare, luxury hotels and meals to Arizona commissioners
In this expose, Energy and Policy Institute looks at how the Harvard Electricity Policy Group has been lavishing gifts on members of the Arizona Corporation Commission.
APS spends $11 million, can’t keep renewable initiative off the ballot
The utility has poured money into dirty tricks to keep a referendum on increasing Arizona’s renewable energy mandate to 50% by 2030 off the ballot. But with more than double the needed number of signatures needed, it looks like APS is losing this round.
APS seeks 106 MW of batteries to pair with large-scale solar
The Arizona utility has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for battery projects to allow its utility-scale solar fleet to meet evening demand, as part of a plan to add up to 500 MW of storage over the next 15 years.
Arizona’s dirty energy politics
An ad being run by a PAC supported by APS is using images of violent felons to scare voters away from a clean energy initiative. But this is nothing new.
