Tag Archive for: climatechange

The move to make 100% renewable the default service is a powerful decision that will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

California CCA makes 100% renewable energy the default for members

MCE’s Deep Green 100% renewable energy has become the default electricity service in Contra Costa, Marin, Napa and Solano counties. Homes and businesses starting new electric service will automatically start with 100% renewable energy, with the freedom to choose from several other options from MCE or PG&E.

The move to make 100% renewable the default service is a powerful decision that will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Since its launch in 2010, MCE has a track record of at least doubling the renewable energy offered by PG&E — increasing its default energy service from 28% in 2010 to 100% in 2023.

More than 100,000 new electric accounts are expected to start 100% renewable service in 2023, reducing more than 1,600 metric tons of greenhouse gasses each year. That is equivalent to more than 4 million miles driven in a gas-powered passenger vehicle.

Click here to read the full article
Source: Solar Power World

—

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

Emerging research suggests growing tomato plants below and between solar panels could help the country’s billion-dollar-plus tomato industry, especially in places where it faces increasing stress from heat and drought.

Agrovoltaics could help California crops, if the economics pan out

Drought and extreme heat in California’s Central Valley in recent years has meant shortages of tomatoes, particularly “processing tomatoes” used for sauce and ketchup. And such conditions are only expected to get worse with climate change.

Researchers note that the relatively nascent field of agrovoltaics — growing crops below and between solar panels — could offer help to the country’s billion-dollar-plus tomato industry.

Shade provided by solar panels can help conserve water, create humidity, and lower temperatures that can become too much even for heat-loving tomatoes.

Click here to read the full article
Source: Energy News Network

—

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

SJCE's program offers more than 800 customers 100% solar energy at a 20% discount, which can be combined with other monthly discounts.

San José Clean Energy’s community solar program saving some low-income customers $100 per month

San José Clean Energy (SJCE) has released details of the success of its first community solar program. The program offers more than 800 customers 100% solar energy at a 20% discount, which can be combined with other monthly discounts for up to 55% savings. The average Solar Access customer is saving $32 per bill and some save over $100 each month.

The new program enables customers who rent their home, cannot afford to install solar or whose home is not suitable for solar to benefit from utility scale clean energy at a discount. SJCE sources the solar energy for customers and there is no solar panel installation or equipment required. Eligible customers can apply to be added to the program’s waitlist and as spots become available; customers will be enrolled on a first come, first served basis. Applications are accepted online, by mail or by phone at 833-432-2454.

Click here to read the full article
Source: Solar Power World

—

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

Starting in January, most new commercial construction in California will be required to install some solar generation and battery storage.

New California building codes include climate change mandates

Starting in January, most new commercial construction in California will be required to install some solar generation and battery storage, along with heat pump technology, as the state moves toward its zero-carbon goals.

The new 2022 building standards mandate, approved by the California Energy Commission, adds to the renewable solar mandate that went into effect in January 2020 for all new single-family residential construction.

“Solar as a standard feature on all new homes went pretty smooth,” said Bob Raymer, technical director with the California Building Industry Association in Sacramento.

Click here to read the full article
Source: Biz Journals

—

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

The microgrid system will launch in September in Silver Spring, powering electric buses on Montgomery County’s Ride On system

Electric buses to tap solar power using new method for D.C. region

,

The first microgrid to power electric buses will soon make its debut in the Washington region as transit agencies nationwide increasingly look to the sun — rather than diesel — to fuel their fleets.

The system will launch in September, powering a growing number of electric buses on Montgomery County’s Ride On transit system. The Silver Spring facility will be the first in the D.C. area to use the microgrid technology and one of the earliest of its kind nationwide.

The microgrid will use energy that originates from solar panels at a bus depot rather than the traditional electricity grid — the process used by most transit agencies with electric buses. The transition comes as jurisdictions across the country are looking to electrify their bus fleets to battle climate change and amid financial windfalls from last year’s infrastructure law, which includes $109 billion for transit.

Click here to read the full article
Source: Washington Post

—

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

Solar growth is spreading into new U.S. markets as developers tackle grid challenges and new demand pockets open up in central states.Panel The Planet

Gov. Newsom’s clean air regulators prioritize rooftop solar expansion in California climate action plan

SAN FRANCISCO – California’s top clean air regulators this week released a proposed plan to fight the climate crisis by cutting carbon dioxide emissions, with policy priorities including an effort to expand rooftop solar throughout the state.

The 11-point “Strategies for Achieving Success” draft plan responds to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s request for the California Air Resources Board, or CARB, to identify strategies for eventually making the state carbon neutral. On page 164 of the plan, CARB says:

  • Target programs and incentives to support and improve access to renewable and zero-carbon energy projects (e.g., rooftop solar, community solar, battery storage, and microgrids) for communities most at need, including frontline, low-income, rural, and indigenous communities.

Click here to read the full article
Source: EWG

—

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