World will need 5.2TW of solar this decade to avoid climate breakdown
The International Renewable Energy Agency’s latest global outlook has spelled out just how ‘woefully’ far the world is from capping temperature rises at 1.5C, and lamented: ‘The stimulus and recovery efforts associated with the pandemic have also proved a missed opportunity.’
A solar project would multiply a North Dakota town’s budget, but a 1995 ordinance prevents it
Colfax Township’s zoning board is reviewing a 1995 ordinance that bars solar installations after a proposed project is estimated to increase the town’s budget from $80,000 to $180,000, plus bring revenues to the local school district, county and state. In total, $1.4 million of revenue would be shared with Colfax within the first five years of operations.
Solar starts strong, growing 40% year over year in January
US solar generation reached new heights despite a year of challenges. Plus, pv magazine discusses “renewable” vs. “sustainable.”
Nexamp adds energy storage to community solar projects to serve peak demand
The company co-located energy storage in a grid-congested area of central Massachusetts.
ComEd opens enrollment to community solar project
A new solar project will connect Illinois customers to clean energy and bill savings. The utility said its program will expand to over 80 community solar projects by year’s end.
Utility-run voluntary renewable energy program reaches 50,000 subscribers
Michigan utility DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower has been so popular, the utility has “thousands of megawatts” of clean energy planned to meet demand.
Three Wisconsin utilities to buy stake in $433 million PV/storage project
The Paris Solar Center was developed by Invenergy and is set to reach commercial operation in 2023.
Federal legislation introduced to build renewable energy “superhighway”
Sen. Ed Markey’s CHARGE Act requires forward-looking transmission planning by utilities to lower prices and improve reliability. Among other sweeping changes, the bill requires hourly operational and greenhouse gas emissions reporting in a timely manner.
Target launches its first net-zero store
The Vista, California big box store and its new carports are topped with 3,420 solar panels. The site will produce more renewable energy than the store’s usage.
Solar-powered data server network developed to frame the internet as a natural resource
The Solar Protocol website maps solar exposure across the globe, activating data cloud centers when the sun shines. Developed by the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, the project intends to draw attention to the energy intensity of data processing, and to offer a more climate-friendly solution.
