Assembly Bill 2316 requires the CPUC to assess new community renewable energy program proposals with a focus on serving low-income customers.

How community solar could revolutionize clean energy access in California

Community solar is finally about to have its moment in the sun.

Signed into law last year, Assembly Bill 2316 requires the California Public Utilities Commission to assess new community renewable energy program proposals with a focus on serving low-income customers. This will make solar power an option for all residents, not just wealthier homeowners.

Community solar allows families to subscribe to a project through a community solar provider. Customers will receive a community solar credit on their utility bill, saving them money on their energy bills. The customer’s participation in the community solar program supports the development and operation of a community solar project that provides energy to the grid. Projects are generally connected to the distribution grid and are typically located on underutilized land.

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Source: CAL MATTERS

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Rep. Boylan drafted a bill that requires all new single-family homes in RI & new outdoor parking lots larger than 16,000sq ft to install solar

Rhode Island lawmaker wants to require solar on new homes and parking lots

A freshman lawmaker in Rhode Island has opened a provocative discussion: why not mandate solar panels on most new construction?

Rep. Jennifer Boylan, a Democrat who has solar panels on her home in Barrington, said she sees every instance in which a new building goes up without solar panels as “a missed opportunity.”

So she drafted a bill that would require all new single-family dwellings in the state to have a solar energy system large enough to meet at least 80% of the dwelling’s estimated annual average electricity use. The mandate would also apply to multifamily dwellings and commercial buildings up to 10 stories high.

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Source: Energy News

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Dozens of companies throughout the solar supply chain have made more than 40 domestic manufacturing announcements valued at more than $13B.

Turning America into a solar manufacturing powerhouse

A wave of new announcements by manufacturers reveals a massive swing in the American solar industry: a domestic solar manufacturing boom is underway. This is a sea change for energy security and jobs and will ensure the U.S. solar and storage industry has a reliable supply of solar equipment as it grows from nearly 5% of the nation’s electricity mix to a fundamental part of America’s energy supply.

One year ago, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) revealed that companies were waiting in the wings, ready to invest in domestic manufacturing with the right market signals and policies in place.

Now, with new incentives and comprehensive industrial policies in place, they’re taking action.

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Source: SEIA

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Supt. Jason Gagnon said the solar arrays have resulted in a total reduction of $195,855 in electrical costs at the precinct's Wastewater Treatment Facility.

Solar arrays at treatment plant are paying off

Giving a tour of the North Conway Water Precinct’s newest solar array, Superintendent Jason Gagnon said Monday he would have good news to share at Wednesday night’s annual precinct meeting about the two arrays’ impact on electrical savings.

The latest array, installed in 2021, joins one installed in 2010. Gagnon said they have  resulted in a total reduction of $195,855 in electrical costs at the precinct’s Wastewater Treatment Facility.

He said that 2022 was the first year of “normal” at the facility after the pandemic started. “When we compare average electricity use from 2017-19 (the pre-COVID normal) with electricity use in 2022, we estimate that the annual savings realized from the new solar array alone are more than $155,000 over those previous years,” Gagnon said.

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Source: The Conway Daily Sun

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California’s power grid operator says $9.3B in new projects is needed over the next decade to support the state’s shift to renewable energy and plug-in cars.

California grid needs $9.3 billion upgrade in renewables shift

California’s power grid operator says $9.3 billion in new projects is needed over the next decade to support the state’s shift to renewable energy and plug-in cars.

The California Independent System Operator on Monday identified 46 projects that will be needed to help planned solar plants and offshore wind farms plug into the grid while improving reliability in a state that has been plagued with blackouts. CAISO identified the projects, including new or upgraded power lines and substation equipment, in a draft transmission plan. Its board is expected to vote on the plan in May.

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Source: Bloomberg

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EDF Renewables North America inked a 20-year PPA with SCPPA for the energy and renewable attributes related to the 117 MWac Sapphire Solar project

Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) signs 20 year solar PPA

EDF Renewables North America inked a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) for the energy and renewable attributes related to the 117 MWac (148 MWdc) Sapphire Solar project.

Sapphire Solar is guaranteed to begin delivery of carbon-free electricity to SCPPA’s participating members, Anaheim, Pasadena and Vernon, by Dec. 31, 2026. In addition to the solar production, SCPPA reserves the option to a 59 MWac x 4-hour (236 MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS).

Sapphire Solar, located in Riverside County on private land, expects to create approximately 250 jobs during the construction phase with more than $253 million generated in new tax revenue over the operating life for taxing entities.

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Source: Solar Builder

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Mission Hills followed the Disciples of Christ Church's decision to reduce its carbon pollution and become carbon neutral by 2030.

California churches meet their sustainability goals through solar energy & energy efficiency

In California, two Disciples of Christ churches had the same idea to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their fossil fuel use. Mission Hills Christian Church in San Fernando, outside of Los Angeles, installed rooftop solar panels to reduce its carbon emissions and act at the intersection of environmental care and justice work. Niles Discovery Church in Fremont, near San Jose, installed a solar array to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and lower its energy costs. Both churches are certified Green Chalice churches, which means that they completed a nationwide program to lower their carbon footprints by installing solar panels, creating community gardens, and recycling. Both also have volunteer teams who have helped make the two churches more sustainable through energy and water efficiency actions, allowing them to do more good in their communities.

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Source: EESI

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While Texas and California lead the country in wind and solar, several others leap ahead once we take into account each state’s land area.

These small states punch above their weight on clean energy

It’s not surprising that gigantic states like Texas and California are among the heaviest hitters in generating electricity from wind and solar. But what if we look at generation per square mile of land?

Then, the leader is Iowa.

Iowa generated 807 megawatt-hours per square mile in 2022 from wind and solar, most of which was from wind, based on data from the Energy Information Administration.

Rhode Island was next with 627 mwh per square mile, most of which was from solar.

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Source: Mother Jones

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The SMMUSD, one of the city’s largest energy consumers, is set to begin the transition to running on 100% renewable energy.

Santa Monica Malibu-Unified School District to transition to 100% renewable energy

The Santa Monica Malibu-Unified School District (SMMUSD), one of the city’s largest energy consumers, is set to begin the transition to running on 100% renewable energy.

The move, which was approved by the Board of Education with a unanimous thumbs-up at their March 15 meeting, is expected to be finalized by the end of the year.

The decision follows mounting pressure from district staff, teachers and students for SMMUSD to take greater strides towards sustainability in the face of climate change.

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Source: Santa Monica Daily Press

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A solar panel the size of 18 football pitches is currently being built in the Falken tyre manufacturing facility in Thailand.

World’s largest rooftop solar panel to be built in Thailand

Falken is building the world’s most extensive solar panel installation on a single facility, covering an area of 100,000 square metres, which is equivalent to over 18 football pitches. This installation is being constructed at the Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) factory in Thailand, where Falken is a subsidiary.

The installation is composed of 40,000 solar panels with a combined output of 22MW and is set to be completed by January 2025. By then, the facility will be able to use 100% renewable energy, thanks to the investment in the new solar panel installation, as well as the adoption of a gas co-generation system and biomass electric power system initiatives at the Rayong Province facility. The gas co-generation system, which comprises two 6.6MW boilers powered by renewable energy sources, will replace energy supplied by local utility companies. Additionally, biomass obtained from the surplus branches and trunks after rubber trees are harvested, as part of SRI’s Sustainable Natural Rubber⁴ programme, will provide additional electrical power.

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Source: Energy

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