Calpine’s billion-dollar, 680-megawatt project in Menifee will be one of the biggest batteries in the U.S. when it comes online this summer.

This California city is trading an old gas plant for a giant grid battery

For a decade, twin smokestacks loomed against the bright blue skies of Menifee, in Southern California’s Inland Empire. But the old gas combustion plant came down, and on the flat industrial site it left behind an army of batteries is now being assembled.

When it comes online this summer, developer Calpine’s Nova power bank will store more electricity than all but one battery plant currently operating in the U.S. The billion-dollar project, with 680 megawatts and 2,720 megawatt-hours, will help California shift its nation-leading solar generation into the critical evening and nighttime hours, bolstering the grid against the heat waves that have pushed it to the brink multiple times in recent years.

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Source: Canary Media

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Researchers at Germany’s Frauhofer ISE analyzed the performance of a residential heat pump connected to a rooftop PV system w/ battery storage

Residential heat pumps linked to solar-plus-storage achieve higher seasonal performance factor

A group of researchers at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) investigated the performance of smart grid-ready heat pumps (HPs) combined with rooftop solar power generation and battery storage in single-family houses and found that both PV arrays and batteries can significantly improve the performance of the heat pumps.

Smart grid-ready HPs can be switched off by the grid operator during high grid load periods. They also offer the advantage of maximizing PV self-consumption by adjusting their operation based on available solar power.

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Source: PV Magazine

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Utilities tend to treat solar & batteries as threats to their power grids. CA’s policy will now tap their flexible power to benefit the grid.

California’s new rules allow solar and batteries to help out the grid

For years, utilities have grappled with how to handle the ever-growing number of solar and battery systems trying to connect to the lower-voltage grids that deliver power to customers. That’s especially true for midsize projects like, say, a solar array that might adorn the roof of a multiunit apartment complex or a community-solar project that generates power shared by hundreds of dispersed customers.

On the one hand, utilities have eyed such projects warily, fearing that if the solar panels or batteries inject too much power onto local circuits at moments when electricity demand is low, it might cause grid instability or safety problems. As a result, utilities have thrown up barriers that have delayed or halted grid connections.

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Source: Canary Media

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A research team at DGIST in South Korea has unveiled an ingenious device that enhances solar power generation by keeping panels clean.

Self-cleaning solar panels boost efficiency with wind power

A research team at DGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology) in South Korea has unveiled an ingenious device that enhances solar power generation by keeping panels free of dust and other contaminants. Harnessing wind power, this self-cleaning device autonomously maintains a vital component of the clean energy revolution.

The challenge of clean solar panels

Solar energy is vital for a sustainable future, but dust, debris, and other environmental contaminants can create a layer of grime that dramatically reduces solar cell efficiency. Traditionally, panels require manual cleaning, a costly and labor-intensive process. This maintenance is especially difficult in deserts, remote installations, and even potential off-world applications.

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Source: Interesting Engineering

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USDA is investing close to $6M in 9 renewable energy projects throughout CA to lower energy costs, generate new income, and support farmers & rural small business

Energy projects aim to strengthen California farms

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A nearly $6 million investment announced on March 28 focuses on clean, renewable energy. U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development California State Director Maria Gallegos Herrera made the announcement on March 28 that USDA is investing close to $6 million in nine renewable energy projects throughout California to lower energy costs, generate new income, and support California’s farmers, ranchers, and rural small business.

“With the Inflation Reduction Act, we are able to support more rural business owners and agricultural producers adopt sustainable energy solutions that provide short- and long-term benefits,” said Gallegos Herrera. “These investments reduce energy costs for producers and small business owners, invest in renewable energy that benefits not only our environment but also our economy, while reaffirming the commitment to rural California.”

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Source: Riverbanks News

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California’s grid operator proposes $6.1B in transmission projects aimed at increasing reliability and providing access to solar, geothermal & wind resources in AZ, NV, NM and offshore.

California grid operator proposes $6.1 billion in transmission projects

California’s grid operator proposes $6.1 billion in transmission projects aimed at increasing reliability and providing access to solar, geothermal and wind resources in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and offshore. (Utility Dive)

ALSO:

The Southwest Power Pool formally proposes a day-ahead power market for Western utilities, setting up a competition with the California grid operator’s rival plan. (Utility Dive)
Federal investigators offer a $25,000 reward for information regarding a 2023 attack on an electrical substation in southern California. (Press-Telegram)

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Source: Energy News Network

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California State University – Dominguez Hills has new off-grid solar powered benches on its campus that provides off-grid wireless charging.

Off-grid solar bench with wireless charging and Wi-Fi

California State University – Dominguez Hills has new off-grid solar powered benches on its campus, provided by Bluebolt Outdoor LLC.

The bench provides off-grid wireless charging for student devices like phones and tablets and contains a Wi-Fi access point. It has integrated LED lighting, USB charging ports, and a double-sided poster display space. The bench also contains environmental sensors for monitoring air quality and flood and fire detection.

Bluebolt said it manages advertising sales for the poster locations within customer-approved categories. The benches have been deployed in Katy, Texas, Victorville, California, and by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Source: PV Magazine

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CA, TX and FL are leading the country in solar power generation, while TX, IA and OK are the leaders in wind energy, per a new analysis.

America’s solar and wind energy hotspots, mapped

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California, Texas and Florida are leading the country in terms of solar power generation, while Texas, Iowa and Oklahoma are the leaders in wind energy, per a new analysis.

Why it matters: Solar and wind power are producing a comparatively small but growing share of America’s overall energy supply — yet they make up a bigger slice of the energy pie in some states compared to others.

The big picture: Solar installations generated nearly 240,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity across the U.S. in 2023, per the analysis from Climate Central, a climate research nonprofit.

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Source: AXIOS

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Researchers in Italy have conducted a series of experiments to assess the quality of wheat growing under elevated agrivoltaic systems.

Wheat grows better in agrivoltaic facilities

Researchers in Italy have conducted a series of experiments to assess the quality of wheat growing under elevated agrivoltaic systems. The have found that it has greater nutritional value for livestock.

The CNR Institute for Bioeconomy, the University of Florence, and Italian agrivoltaic specialist REM Tec srl conducted the study on 11.4 hectares of wheat in Borgo Virgilio, in the province of Mantua. The system featured 7,680 Bisol panels and 768 trackers at a height of 4.5 meters, for total PV coverage of 1.3 hectares.

The team used three sections of 12 meters x 12 meters with photovoltaic coverage with a ground coverage ratio (GCR) of 13% and three sections of 144 m2 with a GCR of 41%. They also used three as reference sections with similar characteristics, but without panels and shading structures.

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Source: PV Magazine

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Cosmic is selling its first 100 prefab ADUs starting at $279,000 that could generate enough energy to be a "power plant" for the main house.

A startup’s solar-powered backyard tiny home can help power the main house

Entrepreneur Sasha Jokic dreams of ending global housing insecurity by manufacturing prefab multi-family residences for low-income families.

To do so, his San Francisco-based startup Cosmic is now selling its first 100 tiny homes starting at a cool $279,000 for a 385-square-foot studio.

Ironic, yes. But Jokic says it’s the first step: The revenue from these 100 accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, sales would be reinvested into the startup’s manufacturing process, setting it on the path of building faster and cheaper high-quality homes.

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Source: Business Insider

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