The CPUC voted to approve a ‘proposed decision’ changing the state’s VNEM scheme for multiple-meter properties and small businesses.

“The only winners here are big utilities” – Solar industry reacts to CPUC VNEM changes

The California Public Utilities Commission yesterday (16th November) voted to approve a ‘proposed decision’ changing the state’s virtual net energy metering (VNEM) scheme for multiple-meter properties and small businesses like schools, farms, apartment blocks and shopping centres.

The now-approved VNEM proposal reduces the compensation paid to building owners and tenants for excess power produced by a rooftop solar system, by requiring them to buy their own electricity back from the grid at retail prices set by utility companies.

Ahead of the vote, the CPUC proposal was changed to allow net metering for multi-meter residential properties like apartment blocks. However, communal areas like EV charging stations, hallways and gyms are exempt, which raises questions over the financial incentives for building owners to install solar.

Click here to read the full article
Source: PV Tech

—

If you have any questions or thoughts about the topic, feel free to contact us here or leave a comment below.

Amazon will buy renewable energy from a solar project in MD that is being built on a brownfield — the former site of a 120-year-old coal mine

Amazon will buy solar energy from a repurposed coal mine in Maryland

Amazon will buy renewable energy from a solar project in Garrett County, Maryland, that is being built on a brownfield — the former site of a 120-year-old coal mine. The new project is expected to create 200 jobs and will include more than 300,000 solar panels, making it the largest solar farm in the state.

Amazon will use the new facility to power its Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centers as well as fulfillment centers and physical stores. It will also proved clean power to local communities. It is one of 78 new solar and wind projects Amazon has announced investments in so far this year.

Click here to read the full article
Source: CNBC

—

If you have any questions or thoughts about the topic, feel free to contact us here or leave a comment below.

After months of debate and two postponed votes, California’s utility regulator unanimously voted today to overhaul incentives for owners of apartment buildings, schools and businesses that install solar panels.

California reduces payments for rooftop solar power — for second time in a year

After months of debate and two postponed votes, California’s utility regulator unanimously voted today to overhaul incentives for owners of apartment buildings, schools and businesses that install solar panels.

The new regulations are the second major step that the California Public Utilities Commission has taken in the past year to reduce power companies’ financial support for rooftop solar. In December, the commission reduced payments to homeowners who sell excess power from newly installed solar panels on single-family homes.

Click here to read the full article
Source: CAL MATTERS

—

If you have any questions or thoughts about the topic, feel free to contact us here or leave a comment below.

Rancho Cielo’s Construction and Sustainable Design Academy students’ solar-home won first place overall in Sustainability Decathlon

Award-winning solar powered house celebrated at Salinas event

,
 The top-prize-winning Nexus_01 home and the Rancho Cielo team that designed, created and transported it to competition and back, was on proud display Thursday at the Rancho Cielo Open House celebrating those involved and the structure itself.
“It feels great to bring the project home, to bring the trophies home, to share the project with the community and really honor all the work that went into the project,” said Thomas Rettenweder, architect and educator. “It feels amazing.”
Rancho Cielo’s Construction and Sustainable Design Academy students’ home, Nexus_01, won first place overall in the inaugural Orange County Sustainability Decathlon in October in a challenge to design and build a model solar-powered home that addresses climate change and California’s housing needs, showcases innovation and ensures the home is market-ready and can educate the community about climate change challenges.

Click here to read the full article
Source: Monterey Herald

—

If you have any questions or thoughts about the topic, feel free to contact us here or leave a comment below.

Community solar is a middle-ground approach, a different model, featuring solar arrays that provide energy savings for subscribers.

Community solar is growing to fill the gaps in clean energy

When you think about solar panels, you probably have one of two images in mind: one is of the half dozen or more panels on your neighbor’s roof, and the other is of a big field in the desert with panels laid out in all directions.

Community solar is a middle-ground approach, a different model, featuring solar arrays that provide energy savings for subscribers. According to the terms of state regulations authorizing these programs, many of those subscribers have incomes that would make it harder for them to put solar panels on their roofs — or live in apartments where they are unable to install panels altogether.

Click here to read the full article
Source: CNET

—

If you have any questions or thoughts about the topic, feel free to contact us here or leave a comment below.

The BLM announced that the Arlington Solar Energy Center is now fully operational. It will have enough energy to power 110,000 homes a year.

Clean energy project on BLM-managed public lands in California goes operational

,

The Bureau of Land Management today announced the Arlington Solar Energy Center in Riverside County is now fully operational. The facility will generate up to 364 megawatts, enough energy to power 110,000 homes a year, and will include 242 megawatts of battery energy storage.

“The completion of the Arlington Solar Energy Center represents another major step forward in the Bureau’s efforts to meet President Biden’s goal of lower costs for families and creating a clean energy, carbon-free future,” said California Desert District Manager Shelly Lynch.

Click here to read the full article
Source: BLM.gov

—

If you have any questions or thoughts about the topic, feel free to contact us here or leave a comment below.

 

EIA is forecasting that in 2024, electricity from solar energy will exceed the amount of energy coming from hydropower sources by about 14%.

US solar electricity generation to exceed hydroelectricity in 2024, EIA predicts

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is forecasting that in 2024, electricity from solar energy will exceed the amount of energy coming from hydropower sources by about 14%. The prediction has been published in EIA’s Short-Term Energy Outlook report.

EIA attributes this prediction to continuing growth around the U.S. in both utility-scale and small-scale solar facilities. Earlier this year, EIA said it expected about 54% of electricity-generating capacity to come from solar energy in 2023 as developers had plans to add a total of 54.5 gigawatts of utility-scale electric-generating capacity to the U.S. power grid.

Click here to read the full article
Source: Eco Watch

—

If you have any questions or thoughts about the topic, feel free to contact us here or leave a comment below.

B2U Storage Solutions just announced it has made SEPV Cuyama, a solar power & energy storage installation using second-life EV batteries.

New solar power & energy storage system uses former electric vehicle batteries

One of the common myths about electric vehicle batteries is that they are hard to recycle when they are no longer being used or can’t be used in a vehicle. This notion is not true, and to the contrary, some former electric vehicle batteries are being used for stationary energy storage projects. Having a second life after EV use extends the utility of such batteries, meaning they can serve two purposes and not just one.

California-based B2U Storage Solutions just announced it has made SEPV Cuyama, a solar power and energy storage installation using second-life EV batteries, operational in New Cuyama, Santa Barbara County, CA. Freeman Hall, co-founder and CEO of B2U Storage Solutions, answered some questions about the project for CleanTechnica.

Click here to read the full article
Source: Clean Technica

—

If you have any questions or thoughts about the topic, feel free to contact us here or leave a comment below.

Poland boasted 18GW of solar PV projects with grid connection approvals issued as of the end of the third quarter of 2023

Poland’s solar capacity reaches 18GW as of Q3 2023

Poland boasted 18GW of solar PV projects with grid connection approvals issued as of the end of the third quarter of 2023, according to Polish research group Institute for Renewable Energy (IEO).

IEO said there were a total of 6,929 projects that had obtained grid connection approvals by Q3 this year. Compared to the previous database with information at the end of Q1 2023, there was a 41% increase in the number of projects and a 46% increase in the total capacity.

Click here to read the full article
Source: PV Tech

—

If you have any questions or thoughts about the topic, feel free to contact us here or leave a comment below.

Amazon announced its first renewable energy project in Michigan: a new 85MW solar farm to be built in Van Buren County’s Lawrence Township.

Amazon announces its first Michigan solar farm project

, ,

Amazon is entering the Michigan solar farming business.

Amazon, the world-famous online retailer, has announced its first renewable energy project in Michigan: a new 85-megawatt solar farm to be built in Van Buren County’s Lawrence Township, the company said on Monday, Nov. 13.

The Southwest Michigan solar project will help power Amazon’s local operations, including Amazon fulfilment centers, sorting centers and delivery stations, while also providing new sources of clean power to local communities where the projects are located, the Seattle-based company said in a news release.

Click here to read the full article
Source: M LIVE

—

If you have any questions or thoughts about the topic, feel free to contact us here or leave a comment below.