Solar Industry News
Solar charging depot for 96 electric trucks coming to Livermore, California
The EBCE Board has approved providing $4.5M in financing to Forum Mobility to support the development of a solar electric truck charging depot in Livermore, CA.
Virtual power plants are coming to save the grid sooner than you might think
Networks of thousands of home-based batteries, also known as virtual power plants, could be key to a cleaner, more reliable electricity system.
Facing brutal heat, the Texas electric grid has a new ally: Solar power
Texas is fast becoming a leader in solar power. So far this year, about 7% of the electric power used has come from solar, and 31% from wind.
Solar to reach ‘unassailable position’ as cheapest electricity source, says DNV
Solar’s levelized cost of electricity will reach $30/MWh in 2050, as global capacity surges, said DNV, a global risk management firm.
Solar-plus-storage microgrids minimize power shutoffs during wildfires
Recent studies have proposed using solar-plus-storage microgrids to minimize public safety concerns from PSPS during the wildfire season.
Paskenta Band announces solar energy storage project
The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians announced the development of a large-scale solar & energy storage project funded and approved by the CEC.
Proposed update to public land rules could provide 80% reduction in renewable project fees, says Interior
The DOI said it hopes to increase the economic certainty of renewables projects sited on public land by reducing costs for developers, and pass along savings to ratepayers.
Valley children’s healthcare to install microgrid on California hospital campus
Valley Children’s Healthcare's new microgrid will help provide additional energy storage to improve the hospital’s ability to withstand long duration outages.
How microgrids and smart homes are shaping our energy-independent future
This smart, solar-powered suburb in SoCal ties smart home technology with energy efficiency to find an affordable solution for energy-independent living.
DOE launches 7th round of solar innovation competition, offering $4M in prizes
The DOE opened applications on Monday for round seven of its American-Made Solar Prize competition, announcing $4 million in prizes.
California’s urban roofs provide more value for community solar+storage than rural areas
Community solar + storage projects can provide more value to CA utility customers when built on commercial & industrial rooftops versus open land in rural areas.
BLM approves 300-MW Sunlight Storage II project in Southern California
A NextEra Energy Resources subsidiary won approval from the US BLM to build a 300 MW battery energy storage project at a solar farm in CA’s desert.
California reaches energy storage milestone
California has increased battery storage by 757% in only four years, and now has enough to power 6.6 million homes for up to four hours.
Construction starts on Sweden’s largest solar farm
Neoen and Alight have started building the 100MW Hultsfred solar farm in Sweden, which will purportedly be the country’s largest solar installation upon completion.
Fresno groundbreaking for solar energy and battery storage
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday morning for an on-site solar energy & battery storage portfolio, which will be one of the largest such projects in CA and in Fresno.
Putting the ‘farm’ in solar farm
Researchers have found that planting agricultural crops under solar panel arrays can enhance land productivity by up to 60%.
California regulators must approve community solar to benefit San Joaquin Valley residents
If California acts to create a new community solar market, the Fresno area has the potential to develop over 150 renewable energy projects.
Energy Facts: Impact of the investing in America agenda on California
Thanks to funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and IRA, DOE has made available more than $861M to CA’s state and local governments to invest in energy efficiency & grid resilience.
US university deploys high density solar thermal system
Creighton University has equipped a new student residence with solar heat collectors generating an annual peak capacity of 69.9 kW thermal energy.
USDA grant awarded to local organic poultry farmer for solar panel installation
Just over $115,880 was awarded to Regeneration Cycle, LLC for the installation of two photovoltaic systems.
Major solar-plus-storage project online at retired gas-fired power plant
The Daggett Solar + Storage project in San Bernardino County features 482MW of solar power generation capacity with 280MW of energy storage.