Focus
Solar, onshore wind costs set to fall below new fossil fuel energy
Reuters – May 29
Electricity generated by onshore wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies will in the next year be consistently cheaper than from any fossil fuel source, according to a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency. The global weighted average cost of electricity generated by concentrated solar power fell by 26 percent last year from a year earlier, data compiled by the agency showed. Bioenergy fell by 14 percent, solar PV and onshore wind by 13 percent, hydropower by 12 percent, and geothermal and offshore wind by 1 percent. Over three quarters of onshore wind and four fifths of large-scale solar PV capacity to be commissioned next year shows lower prices than the cheapest new coal-fired, oil, or natural gas sources, the report said.
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News
San Diego Gas & Electric hits snag in rollout of California microgrids
Greentech Media - May 23
Early last year, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) launched a community microgrid project, meant not only to boost the state’s adoption of energy storage, but also to serve as the next step in its wildfire prevention efforts. However in recent months, SDG&E’s plan to build 100 megawatts of battery-backed microgrids across rural San Diego County hit a snag. State regulators proposed sending these energy storage opportunities back to the drawing board, so that they can be opened to competition from third parties. The conflict at the California Public Utilities Commission underscores the competing pressures facing utilities as they seek to implement the state’s energy storage mandates.
Oregon restricts solar development on prime farmland
OPB - May 23
Last Thursday, the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission approved new rules that restrict commercial solar development on millions of acres of high-value farmland across the state. The rule-making process pitted two of Oregon’s most treasured values — protection of agricultural land and environmental stewardship — against each other. By putting restrictions on land with high-value soils designated prime, unique, and classes I and II, the rules put about 6 percent of the state off limits — not to rooftop solar but to larger projects that cover acres of land. Solar developers would have to apply for an exception to the rule before their projects could be considered.
Facebook invests directly in renewable project
Greentech Media – May 30
Facebook has finalized an agreement to provide tax-equity financing for a 379-megawatt solar project developed by Longroad Energy Partners in West Texas. It’s the first time the social media company, which last year committed to reaching 100 percent renewables by 2020, has directly invested in a wind or solar project. Shell Energy North America, another corporation that’s shown increasing interest in renewables, signed a 12-year power-purchase agreement for the project’s power. Facebook will be the sole tax-equity investor for the Prospero project, saying its investment could provide a new model for corporations investigating renewables procurement. Facebook says it has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 44 percent since 2017, and plans to achieve a 75 percent reduction by 2020.
Tri-State rebuffs offer from Guzman Energy to buy and close 3 coal plants
Utility Dive – May 29
Guzman Energy has offered to purchase and shutter three coal-fired units owned by Tri-State Generation and Transmission and replace the power with a mix of generation more than 70 percent renewable through a long-term fixed-price agreement. According to Guzman, Tri-State officials indicated they are not currently interested in the proposal, but could revisit the idea after a legislative rulemaking process in Colorado has been finalized. Colorado lawmakers recently passed legislation subjecting Tri-State to oversight by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.
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Projects
First Solar’s Series 6 modules go live at 280-MW California Flats project
PV-Tech - May 28
The 280-megawatt California Flats project has reached commercial operation, with First Solar’s large format Series 6 modules sending power to the grid for the first time at this scale. The site was developed by First Solar before asset management firm Capital Dynamics bought it in 2017. The site is part of the Hearst cattle ranch, which provides beef to Whole Foods.
Massive 1,000-MW energy storage project launched in Utah
Energy Manager Today – May 30
Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems and Magnum Development plan to develop 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy storage in central Utah. The companies say that the initiative will be the world’s largest project of its kind. Called the Advanced Clean Energy Storage project, it will deploy four types of energy storage technologies at utility scale, which include renewable hydrogen, compressed air energy storage, large-scale flow batteries, and solid oxide fuel cells.
Deadline looms for comments on Humboldt County wind farm
North Coast Journal – May 28
With the deadline to comment on the draft environmental impact report fast approaching, debate over a proposed wind farm on a ridgeline to the south of the Eel River Valley is heating up. The project, proposed by Terra-Gen, owned by the private equity firm Energy Capital Partners, would see up to 60 large wind turbines built atop Monument Ridge and Bear River Ridge. Once operational, the farm would contribute an estimated 155 megawatts of renewable energy annually, enough to continuously power 40,000 homes, according to the company. The project is slated to come before the Humboldt County Planning Commission in July.
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