Lessons learned from Texas storm Uri
Winter storm Uri that brought a deep freeze to Texas is also bringing insight into grid vulnerabilities, the need for more renewables, and the potential of solar-plus-storage.
Interconnection delays and costs are the biggest barrier for utility-scale renewables, say developers
LevelTen and Advanced Energy Economy point to delays in the PJM grid region, in particular. Construction of the 300GW of renewables and storage projects in PJM’s interconnection queue would support 1.7 million jobs, says AEE.
Sunrise brief: Georgia Power plans to retire all coal by 2035; add natural gas, renewables, and storage
Also on the rise: CommonBond to finance solar. Aurora Solar updates sales software. SolarApp+ found to cut project times by about 12 days. SunCommon offers zero up-front financing to VT Organic Valley farmers. PJM proposes to pause solar project review to get out from under backlog. Kansas Senator Mike Thompson supporting bills that may slow solar in his state.
Sunrise brief: Greater accountability is needed to improve interconnection timelines
Also on the rise: Solid-state battery start-up Sparks opened a pilot plant for its patented lithium battery technology based on zero cobalt cathodes. Hyperion will invest in a new facility in Ohio to manufacture its hydrogen fuel cell. Pennsylvania may have to sell RECs and use the cash to cap abandoned oil and gas wells. Sol Systems acquires 540MW Illinois solar portfolio. Greenskies moves agrivoltaics forward in Connecticut. FranklinWH chief sales officer shares views on distributed storage.
Improving interconnection timelines: The need for data and enforcement
Greater accountability is needed in the interconnection process as outdated and cumbersome policies put the brakes on clean energy development, hindering market growth and the rapid action needed to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Maine utility admits solar interconnection faults, hiring consultants
Central Maine Power Company admitted that its solar power interconnection processes were at fault in 2020-2021, and has offered a settlement that includes hiring grid analysts, funding a working group between the industry and utility, and greatly tightening upgrade cost estimates.
DERMS technology allows grid connection even when grid is at full capacity
Strata Grid DERMS technology allows large-scale producers of renewable energy resources to connect to the electric power grid while removing the risk of costly upgrades.
Federal policy can drive the solar industry… but still may fall short
Federal policy must address equipment availability, solar development pathway risk and timing, as well as transmission and distribution interconnection.
Interconnecting solar to the grid: An aggressively opaque process
If we’re honest about our current power grid development reality, we will accept that it is renewables that have been footing the bill for upgrades to the power grid.
Interconnection issues jeopardize New England’s clean energy goals
Legislators in Massachusetts are advocating for swift resolution in ongoing interconnection issues to help developing solar projects reach completion.
