Focus
Governor Newsom vetoes school solar bill
Canary Media – September 30
Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that aimed to make rooftop solar systems more affordable for school districts. The decision drew immediate rebukes from groups that say it will harm schools by preventing them from using solar to curb their rising utility bills and help meet state climate goals. A November CPUC decision had reduced the price utilities pay to schools, multifamily properties, farms, and other sites for rooftop-solar generation. Senate Bill 1374 would have overturned that decision for schools, allowing them to essentially follow the more lucrative rooftop-solar rules available to single-family homes.
News
U.S. energy storage deployments continue to rise in 2024
Solar Power World – October 1
The U.S. energy storage market experienced significant growth in the second quarter, with the grid-scale segment leading the way at 2,773 MW and 9,982 MWh deployed. According to a new report from the American Clean Power Association and Wood Mackenzie, every segment of the market experienced growth in Q2 over the same period in 2023, with community and commercial increasing 61% to 87 MWh and residential increasing 12% to 423 MWh. California, Arizona, and Texas were responsible for 85% of installations.
Preliminary injunction granted: California solar contractors can still install batteries (for now)
Solar Builder – September 27
The San Diego County Superior Court has issued a preliminary injunction halting enforcement of a rule that would severely restrict solar contractors from installing and servicing battery storage systems. The rule, approved by the California Contractors State License Board in April, prohibits licensed solar contractors from adding batteries to existing solar panels or performing maintenance on batteries, including those they previously installed themselves. The rule also restricts solar contractors from building solar and storage systems above a certain size typical for off-grid homes or commercial customers.
BOEM postpones first Oregon offshore wind auction due to lack of interest
Utility Dive – September 30
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has postponed its auction of two wind energy leases offshore Oregon due to lack of bidder interest. BOEM identified five eligible bidders when it announced the auction in August but said it only received bidding interest from one. The auction would have been the first of its kind offshore Oregon.
Projects
Governor Newsom signs legislation to accelerate Pier Wind project at Port of Long Beach
Container News – October 1
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 2235, which allows the Port of Long Beach to expedite public contracting for the design and construction of Pier Wind—a proposed 400-acre terminal aimed at facilitating the assembly and deployment of floating offshore wind turbines. Authored by Assembly member Josh Lowenthal, AB 2235 is designed to lower costs and speed up the timeline for the Pier Wind project, which is set to become the largest facility of its kind in the United States and will aid California in achieving its renewable energy objectives.
Leyline Renewable Capital provides financing to GSCE
Solar Industry Magazine – October 1
Leyline Renewable Capital has announced a $28 million financing package for Golden State Clean Energy (GSCE). The funding, which comprises various types of capital invested for projects in different stages of development, is slated to drive the advancement of 1.9 GW of solar and energy storage projects in California.
BOEM approves New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm
The Maritime Executive – October 1
The Atlantic Shores South project, which would consist of two large offshore wind farms, received its final approval from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The project is a 50/50 partnership between Shell New Energies US and EDF-RE Offshore Development and will become New Jersey’s first offshore wind energy site.
TotalEnergies switches on two Texas solar parks totaling 1.2 GW
Renewables Now – September 30
TotalEnergies SE has commenced operations at two large solar farms in southeast Texas -- Danish Fields and Cottonwood -- having a combined capacity of 1.2 GW. Danish Fields includes a 225 MWh battery system supplied by its battery subsidiary Saft. The 455 MW Cottonwood facility will also feature a 225 MWh battery, planned for commissioning in 2025.
Utah’s first floating solar array will power 90% of Park City water treatment plant
KPCW – September 26
Mountain Regional Water and its solar partners cut the ribbon on Utah’s first floating solar array; the 1,078 solar panels are floating on top of a small reservoir inside Park City’s Promontory neighborhood. The 589.7 KW project will provide renewable energy to the Signal Hill Water Treatment Plant, offsetting 92% of the facility’s grid energy consumption.
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