Focus
Debate begins over updating California’s rooftop solar rules
The San Diego Union-Tribune – March 15
Later this year, the California Public Utilities Commission expects to update the rules over how owners of rooftop solar systems are compensated. This Monday marked the day the two sides — as well as other interested parties in the debate — had to turn in proposals to the commission concerning net energy metering. The big three investor-owned utilities — San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and Pacific Gas & Electric — turned in a joint proposal that looks to resolve their complaints that net energy metering results in a “cost-shift” that unfairly burdens customers who do not have solar installations at their homes and businesses. Advocates of solar filed their own proposals Monday, saying the changes the utilities want will undercut the industry’s growth.
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News
The U.S. solar industry posted record growth in 2020 despite COVID-19, report finds
CNBC – March 16
U.S. solar installations reached a record high in 2020 as favorable economics, supportive policies, and strong demand in the second half of the year offset the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Installations grew 43% year over year, reaching a record 19.2 GW of new capacity, according to a report released this Tuesday from the Solar Energy Industries Association and Wood Mackenzie.
Senate Democrats plan to reintroduce energy tax reform bill, focus on long-term incentives
Utility Dive – March 11
Senate Democrats are retooling energy tax reform legislation that was first proposed two years ago but which failed to advance in a Republican-led Congress. The Clean Energy for America Act could include technology-neutral incentives rather than wind- and solar-specific credits, and would aim to move beyond the current cycle of short-term incentive extensions to a more permanent approach, according to Bobby Andres, senior policy adviser to Democrats on the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.
California joint agency report finds reaching carbon-free goal will require up to 6 GW of new renewable resources annually
Solar Power World – March 16
The California Energy Commission, California Public Utilities Commission, and California Air Resources Board released the first joint agency report and a summary document examining how the state’s electricity system can become carbon free by 2045. The report is the initial analysis called for in Senate Bill 100, the state’s landmark policy requiring that renewable and zero-carbon energy resources supply 100% of electric retail sales to customers by 2045. According to the report, to reach the 2045 target while electrifying other sectors to meet the state’s economy-wide climate goals, California will need to roughly triple its current electricity grid capacity.
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Projects
Apple’s $60M Turquoise Solar Project now operational, providing power to Reno data center
Reno Gazette Journal – March 17
Apple’s Turquoise Solar Project just east of Reno is officially operational. The $60 million solar farm has a capacity of 61 MW of direct current, which is being used to provide energy to Apple’s sprawling data center campus at Reno Technology Park.
Camarillo moves ahead with microgrids and deeply discounted Tesla batteries
Microgrid Knowledge – March 16
Camarillo, California, has approved a contract with the Clean Coalition to oversee the design of solar-based microgrids at five critical city facilities that will incorporate Tesla batteries. The city council on March 10 also directed city staff to enter into a contract with Tesla for a 1-MW/4-MWh battery to be installed at the city’s wastewater treatment plant, one of the facilities being considered for a microgrid.
Northwest utilities take a fresh look at hydrogen fuel
OPB – March 9
A public utility in Washington broke ground Monday for a hydrogen production facility. It’s one of several related actions in the Pacific Northwest that reflect renewed interest in hydrogen as a clean alternative fuel. More than 15 years ago, the California and British Columbia governments sketched bold plans for a West Coast “hydrogen highway” for clean cars stretching from Whistler, B.C., to the Mexican border. Oregon and Washington never really warmed to the expensive idea, leaving Vancouver, B.C., as essentially an island with a handful of stations. California has slowly added retail hydrogen refueling stations, with 45 statewide as of the last count.
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