Focus
Investors confident in U.S. renewables, especially utility-scale solar: ACORE
Solar Industry Magazine – June 17
One year into its campaign of reaching $1 trillion in U.S. private-sector investment in renewable energy and enabling grid technologies by 2030, the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) has released a progress report showing that financial institutions are optimistic about further renewable energy growth. According to a survey ACORE conducted in May of leading financial institutions, investors’ confidence in renewable energy sector growth over the next three years remains high, with an average confidence level of 77/100, the report says. Utility-scale solar and energy storage were seen as the most attractive areas for investment, followed closely by onshore wind.
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News
Summer heat could challenge power grids in Texas and California: NERC
Reuters - June 18
Texas and California could face electric reliability issues this summer because they may not have enough generation resources available to meet peak air conditioning demand, according to the country’s reliability coordinator, North American Electric Reliability Corp (NERC). In California, NERC said the high concentration of solar-powered generators could pose problems for other forms of generation, which must quickly ramp up or ramp down to ensure overall electric supply closely matches demand. There are almost 12,000 megawatts of solar capacity in California, representing more than 15 percent of generation in the state. The California ISO said it expects to face less risk this summer relative to last summer in part because of greater-than-normal hydropower conditions in the region.
Southwest Power Pool to launch energy imbalance market as alternative to CAISO
Utility Dive - June 18
The Southwest Power Pool announced Monday that it will move ahead with development of a Western Energy Imbalance Service market to balance generation and load regionally and in real time. The market aims to reduce capacity and energy costs, provide price transparency for wholesale energy, and ensure efficient use of the transmission system. SPP's new market would provide an alternative to the California ISO's imbalance market.
Target Corporation goes for 100% renewable electricity by 2030
Energy Manager Today – June 13
Target Corporation committed to sourcing 100 percent of the company's electricity from renewable sources by 2030, the retailer said. The company expects this domestic operations goal to help it power stores, distribution centers, and offices more sustainably. To get there, Target Corporation is ramping up energy savings efforts and increasing investments in renewable energy. Target Corporation estimates that 22 percent of the electricity the company uses to power its business currently comes from renewable sources.
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Projects
Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital completes solar project
North Bay Business Journal - June 14
Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital on Monday “flipped the switch” on new carport solar panels installed over its main parking lot and on the rooftop of Shea House, which houses families of hospitalized children. The solar modules covering approximately 565 parking spaces will support 40 percent of the main hospital’s electricity, according to Shaun Ralston, regional manager at Sutter Health.
SunPower will install solar-plus-storage project for Silicon Valley community college district
Solar Power World – June 13
SunPower has begun construction on a solar-plus-storage project for West Valley-Mission Community College District (WVMCCD) in Silicon Valley. The district will offset approximately 75 percent of its grid electricity usage with SunPower Helix carport systems totaling 5.4 megawatts. This SunPower solar initiative will be the second for WVMCCD. Since 2011, 2.2 megawatts of SunPower solar carports operating at both West Valley and Mission Colleges have generated an estimated $860,000 in electricity savings each year to the district.
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