Solar industry panel cautions about 2025 Texas Legislature
According to BloombergNEF’s just released 1H 2024 US Clean Energy Market Outlook, Texas promises to top the charts in terms of solar, wind and battery storage deployments in the period from 2024 to 2035. But it’s position as the number one U.S. state for renewable energy is not a given, as panelists made clear at last week’s RE+ Texas conference in Houston, Texas.
California is now a batteries-included rooftop solar market
About 60% of customers have included battery energy storage with their rooftop solar installation, up from roughly 10% prior. However, a “sustained downturn” is expected for the market.
Bladeless wind energy innovation aims to compete with rooftop solar
A compact, “motionless” wind turbine with a magnetic generator designed for large commercial rooftops provides 5 kW of capacity per unit. Aeromine Technologies secured Series A funding for scaling its innovative design.
Research shows repaired PV modules can perform with acceptable losses
A research group has demonstrated the technical feasibility of using repaired solar modules with satisfying results. It also warned, however, that there is an urgent need to define a protocol for evaluating the features of a “viable” repaired panel.
Enel, Energy Vault build 18 MW/36 MWh of U.S. gravity storage
Energy Vault and Enel have revealed plans to build 18 MW/36 MWh of gravity storage in the United States. They say that the project will be the first large-scale gravity energy storage in a Western country.
Renewables must triple by 2030 to hit net-zero by 2050, says BloombergNEF
BloombergNEF says in a new report that solar and wind must drive most emissions cuts before 2030 to stay on track for net-zero by 2050. Its net-zero scenario targets a combined solar and wind capacity of 31 TW by 2050.
Minnesota legislature passes energy infrastructure permitting reforms
The legislation removes key roadblocks to the development of solar, wind and battery energy storage.
Reflective ground covers boost solar energy production
Researchers in Canada are testing the use of reflective surfaces to boost electricity production in bifacial solar panels.
California approves uncapped fixed charges on electricity bills
An uncapped average monthly charge of $24 will be added regardless of the amount of electricity used at home, sparking the ire of consumer advocates and energy conservationists.
Was 2023 the peak for global electricity sector emissions?
A report from Ember highlights how “a new era of falling fossil generation is imminent.”
