Focus
Utility-scale U.S. solar installations to surpass 32 GW for record high in 2024
Utility Dive – November 27
Utility-scale U.S. solar installations are set to continue record-breaking growth with over 32 GW installed in 2024, due in part to a requirement that modules imported during the anti-circumvention tariff moratorium be in service by December, according to the American Clean Power Association (ACP). While ACP projects that 2025 may see new utility-scale installations dip to around 27 GW, the group estimates that they will recover to 32 GW per year by 2027 and reach 34 GW a year in 2028.
News
California utilities produce more solar energy than the state can use
Los Angeles Times – December 2
In the last 12 months, California’s solar farms have curtailed production of more than 3 million MWh of solar energy, either on the orders of the state’s grid operator or because prices had plummeted because of the glut, according to an analysis of data by The Los Angeles Times. That’s enough to power 518,000 California homes for a year, based on average electricity usage. The amount of curtailed solar power has more than doubled from 1.5 million MWh in 2021, state records show, and is up eight times from levels in 2017. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s advisors and those who manage the state’s electric grid say they are working to reduce the curtailments, including by building more industrial-scale battery storage facilities that soak up the excess solar power during the day and then release it at night.
Projects
Strata Clean Energy unveils 70 MW energy storage system in California
Renewables Now – December 4
Strata Clean Energy has finalized the installation of the 70 MW Inland Empire Energy Storage project in Rialto, California. The 280 MWh battery storage system reached commercial operation in October, after connecting to the grids operated by Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric.
Arevon completes one of country’s first utility-scale solar peaker plants
Solar Power World – November 25
Arevon Energy has completed its Vikings Solar-plus-Storage Project in Imperial County, California, near Holtville. The $529 million project includes 157 MW of solar coupled with 150 MW/600 MWh of battery energy storage. Vikings, one of the first utility-scale solar peaker plants in the U.S., shifts low-cost daytime solar energy to higher-cost peak demand periods, including late afternoons and evenings.
Maryland offshore wind clears final permitting hurdle
North American Windpower – December 3
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has approved U.S. Wind’s construction and operations plan for offshore wind off the coast of Maryland – potentially bringing 2 GW of renewable energy to the East Coast. This is BOEM’s final permit approval for U.S. Wind’s federal permitting application, allowing the company to pursue development at full scale.
Wind-powered direct-air carbon capture facility coming to Texas
Midland Reporter Telegram – November 29
Developers Return Carbon and Verified Carbon have announced Project Concho, an innovative direct-air capture (DAC) hub to be built in Tom Green County, Texas. The project will reportedly be the first DAC hub in the world to run entirely on wind power and will leverage advanced DAC technology as well as onsite geological carbon storage to capture and permanently remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Avangrid, PGE sign 120 MW PPA backed by Meta data center in Oregon
PV-Tech – December 3
Avangrid has signed a power purchase agreement with Oregon state utility Portland General Electric (PGE) for its 120 MW Tower Solar project in Morrow County, Oregon. Power from the project, which is under construction, will be sold to PGE under a 25-year contract and marketed through its Green Future Impact program.
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