Focus
Congress passes spending bill with solar, wind tax credit extensions and energy R&D package
Greentech Media – December 22
The U.S. Congress this Monday passed a massive spending bill that includes $35 billion in energy research and development programs, a two-year extension of the Investment Tax Credit for solar power, a one-year extension of the Production Tax Credit for wind power projects, and an extension through 2025 for offshore wind tax credits — a significant last-minute boost for clean energy industries. These clean energy provisions are included in a $1.4 trillion federal spending and tax extension package negotiated by congressional leaders over the weekend alongside a $900 billion coronavirus relief package. The final version of the legislation was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on Monday evening. As of this publication, President Donald Trump was threatening to veto the legislation.
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News
US solar sales rise 21.6% on year in Q3 on new facilities, more sellers
S&P Global – December 21
Megawatt-hours generated from solar facilities in the U.S. rose 21.6% year on year in the third quarter, according to data filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and compiled by S&P Global Platts. Solar wholesale power sales totaled 18.3 million MWh in Q3, compared to 15 million MWh in Q3 2019. According to the data, 8.57 million MWh of solar power was sold in the California Independent System Operator market.
Huntington Beach City Council gets on board with community choice energy
Los Angeles Times – December 11
The Huntington Beach City Council on December 10 unanimously voted to support the community choice energy (CCE) model and become one of the founding members of the Orange County Joint Powers Authority. The vote would establish Huntington Beach as another proponent of the CCE program that is already being championed by Irvine and Fullerton, and would be funded initially by Irvine. All Southern California Edison customers in CCE cities would be enrolled in the program, tentatively named the Orange County Power Authority, which would be scheduled to begin in 2022. However, they could opt out and choose to purchase directly from Southern California Edison.
DOE plan to fast track storage technologies, aims to slash prices to $0.05/kWh for stationary storage
Utility Dive – December 22
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has set a goal of cutting the cost of storage to $0.05/kWh for stationary storage, and $80/kWh for 300-mile range EV battery packs by 2030, in a new roadmap that will guide the agency’s plan for researching and developing energy storage technologies. The agency hopes to develop research, development, and manufacturing jobs tied to the energy storage industry within the U.S., as well as ensure storage technologies become cost-competitive with conventional energy sources. Stationary and transportation energy storage combined are expected to grow 3-5 times by 2030, with electric vehicles accounting for the majority of that growth, according to a market report that accompanied the roadmap’s release this Monday.
PG&E announces 387 MW/1,548 MWh of energy storage capacity in latest project announcement
Solar Power World – December 23
Pacific Gas and Electric Company has requested approval from the California Public Utilities Commission for six new battery projects totaling 387 MW (1,548 MWh) of capacity. This comes after PG&E announced in May 423 MW of energy storage from five projects, scheduled to be online by August 2021. The 11 battery projects announced this year by PG&E total 810 MW.
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Projects
Xcel Energy launches Sagamore Wind Project near Portales
Santa Fe New Mexican – December 16
The largest single wind power farm in New Mexico will go operational by the end of December about 25 miles south of Portales. Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy will flip the switch on 240 wind turbines at the Sagamore Wind Project, which can produce 522 MW — enough electricity to power 194,000 homes. Sagamore joins the three-facility, 544-MW Pattern Energy Broadview/Grady stations north of Clovis that collectively make up the largest wind power station in the state.
CIT arranges refinancing for 142-MW geothermal plant in California
Renewables Now – December 15
CIT Group Inc. announced this Monday that it acted as the coordinating lead arranger of a $323-million refinancing deal tied to a 142-MW geothermal plant in California. The Coso Geothermal power facility, operated by Coso Operating Company LLC, has been producing power since 1987. Located in Southern California’s Inyo County, it has a total generation capacity of as much as 270 MW but is currently operated at around 140 MW net.
SunPower to install $56 million solar-plus-storage system at JFK Airport
PV-Tech – December 21
New York’s Port Authority Board of Commissioners has approved the construction of a parking lot canopy with solar panels and a battery storage system at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City, which includes a 12.3-MW solar energy system and between 5 MW and 7.5 MW of battery storage. Construction of the project, which is the state’s largest solar canopy power project under development, will start next year and is due to be completed by 2022. SunPower will manage the construction of the system, which has been financed by Goldman Sachs’ renewable power investment arm.
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