Sunrise brief: U.S. surpasses 50 GW of solar module manufacturing capacity
Also on the rise: U.S. raises tariffs to 60% on Chinese solar polysilicon, wafer and cell. KORE Power halts Arizona energy storage factory. And more.
Chris Wright confirmed as energy secretary
Though not a denier of climate change, Wright says the “hazards of climate change are distant and uncertain” and that more fossil fuel production is needed to lift people from poverty.
Loan guarantee of $1.7 billion to help U.S. producer scale clean hydrogen
Plug Power seeks to scale up production, liquification and storage for fuel cell vehicles in transportation and logistics.
Clean hydrogen set for commercial liftoff by 2030
Department of Energy report says planned project capacity increased 26% in 2024.
Trump orders pause to IRA funding
An executive order released by the White House states, “All agencies shall immediately pause the disbursement of funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022”.
Section 179D energy efficiency tax deduction tools updated
The DOE has launched a web portal to enable faster tax deduction calculations for energy efficiency upgrades that drive 25% savings in lighting, HVAC, water heating, and building envelopes (but not solar).
DOE roadmap shows how to speed interconnection of distributed solar and storage
The roadmap presents 39 ways to improve interconnection of distributed energy resources. DOE plans to offer funding support to collaborative teams working to implement the solutions.
Just a fraction of federal land could power carbon-free future
Millions of acres on federal land are suitable for renewable energy, of which less than 5% is needed to be carbon-free by 2035, found National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
After liftoff, DOE looks to accelerate virtual power plants
Virtual power plant capacity must double to meet demand, the Department of Energy said in its latest report on virtual power plants.
DOE loans $1.8 billion to Arizona utility for solar, storage, transmission
The Department of Energy Loans Programs Office has approved a loan to Arizona Public Service (APS) to construct new electricity generation, storage and transmission assets.
