Focus
Utility-scale solar set to eclipse onsite installations in U.S. corporate market
Greentech Media – November 20
Starting in 2020, offsite corporate deals are expected to become the largest source of business-led solar procurement in the United States. Procurement from offsite solar power-purchase agreements is expected to triple between 2019 and 2020 and will remain the largest source of business-led solar procurement through 2024, while onsite commercial and industrial solar remains relatively flat. The robust pipeline of utility-scale projects with corporate offtakers will be one of the biggest drivers of solar market growth over the next two years, as the country's solar market as a whole grows by 17 percent in 2020 and 39 percent in 2021. While today the top five offsite solar developers command 49 percent of that market, the offsite solar space is diversifying rapidly as more developers enter the segment and experiment with business development strategies.
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News
Energy startup backed by Bill Gates achieves solar breakthrough
CNN - November 19
Heliogen, a clean energy company backed by Bill Gates, said it has discovered a way to use artificial intelligence and a field of mirrors to reflect so much sunlight that it generates extreme heat above 1,000 degrees Celsius. The breakthrough means that, for the first time, concentrated solar energy can be used to create the high levels of heat required to make cement, steel, glass, and other industrial processes. Heliogen, which is also backed by billionaire Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong, believes the patented technology will be able to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industry. Cement, for example, accounts for 7 percent of global CO2 emissions, according to the International Energy Agency.
Clorox to obtain about 50% of its renewable electricity goal through agreement with Enel Green Power North America
Environment and Energy Leader – November 13
The Clorox Company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Enel Green Power North America recently announced the signing of a 12-year, 70-megawatt virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) for the procurement of renewable energy beginning in 2021. Representing about half of Clorox’s 100 percent renewable electricity goal in its operations in the United States and Canada, this agreement is expected to help Clorox accelerate achieving its goal in 2021, four years ahead of the company’s original plan. Under the VPPA, Clorox will purchase renewable energy from the second phase of Enel’s Roadrunner solar project to be built in Texas.
U.S. solar companies are stockpiling solar panels
Renewable Energy World – November 14
America’s rooftop solar installers are stockpiling massive volumes of panels and other equipment before a key federal tax credit for the industry starts shrinking next year. Last Tuesday, Sunrun officials announced that the company is collecting enough equipment to help qualify 500 megawatts worth of planned installations for the full investment tax credit, which currently covers 30 percent of a project’s costs. For comparison, the company deployed 373 megawatts in all of 2018. SunPower Corp. also told investors during a recent earnings call that it was sourcing enough equipment to help qualify 200 megawatts worth of projects. The company said it expects to do this again next year.
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Projects
Azelio and Biodico partner on California thermal energy storage project
Power Technology - November 19
Swedish thermal energy storage solutions provider Azelio has teamed up with U.S.-based Biodico to develop 120 megawatts in thermal energy storage projects in Atascadero by 2024. Biodico is planning to create biofuel production centers, which will be powered by the clean energy generated by the on-site renewable resources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For these production centers, Azelio will be supplying nearly 9,000 units, which will feature solar PV and wind, as well as its power storage unit, which will ensure supply of base-load energy to the process around the clock.
Ribbon cut on 450-MW Springbok Solar Cluster
Solar Industry Magazine – November 20
8minute Solar Energy and Capital Dynamics have announced the commercial operation of the 450-megawatt Springbok Solar Cluster in Kern County. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will purchase all of the power generated from the project, which encompasses three total projects, all originally developed by 8minute Solar Energy. The final facility, Springbok 3, was completed last month.
SRP plans to install Arizona's biggest battery for massive solar plant
AZ Central – November 14
Salt River Project (SRP) will build the biggest battery on the power grid in Arizona as part of its pledge last year to add 1,000 megawatts of solar to its supply by 2025. The battery project is planned for the Little Rainbow Valley, south of Buckeye. SRP officials announced last year that it would reduce its reliance on natural-gas-burning power plants and save money by adding solar and batteries to its system. At the time, SRP only had about 200 megawatts of solar, but now the electric utility has lined up projects that get it about 60 percent of the way toward that 1,000-megawatt goal. The Sonoran Energy Center will include batteries capable of storing 250 megawatts of energy for four hours, or 1,000 megawatt-hours of electricity storage.
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