Focus

U.S. solar group pushing Biden to end tariffs, extend subsidies

Reuters – November 17

Top solar trade group, Solar Energy Industries Association (“SEIA”), released a list of policies it says can be enacted early next year to ramp up clean energy development and fight climate change, which it hopes the President-elect will consider. Priorities of the $18 billion wish-list include an executive order to lift the 2018 tariffs on imported panels. SEIA also wants Congress to extend by five years lucrative tax credits that have started to phase out for solar energy systems with the credit to remain at the original 30% level. The SEIA seeks a similar credit for energy storage. Other top items on the list include incentives to develop renewable energy on federal lands, and policies to promote investments in domestic manufacturing.

News

California CCAs continue to secure clean energy resources

North American Windpower – November 13

According to the California Community Choice Association, state community choice aggregators (CCAs) have, to date, signed long-term power purchase agreements for more than 6,000 megawatts (MW) of new-build clean energy resources. The total includes almost 5,000 MW in executed renewable energy PPAs – an increase of 1,700 MW compared to over 2019– and more than 1,000 MW in battery energy storage contracts, a four-fold increase over last year.

California begins to shape vehicle-grid integration strategy, considers using EVs during power shut-offs

Utility Dive – November 17

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a proposal last week laying the foundation for the state's effort to better integrate electric vehicles (EVs) as grid resources, nearly two months after Governor Newsom signed an executive order adopting a goal for all new passenger vehicles in the state to be zero-emission by 2035. The CPUC proposal contemplates using EVs as a way to power the grid during wildfire-related public safety power shut-offs, and would, if approved, instruct California utilities to report back on their plans for using vehicle-to-grid integration as a resiliency measure.

Projects

Ameresco solar array turns California landfill into power plant

Solar Power World – November 17

Ameresco in partnership with San Joaquin County has completed a 5.3-MW ground-mount solar energy system at the San Joaquin County’s Foothill Landfill. The project will reduce the county’s utility costs through California’s Renewable Energy Self-Generation Bill Credit Transfer (RES-BCT) program. The solar energy system will generate approximately 10,473,000 kWh of electricity annually. In addition to the significant electrical savings, the County will also receive a $500,000 upfront lease payment for the use of the land, immediately infusing significant revenue to the County.

Best Buy unveils new solar field in California

Chain Store Age – November 17

Best Buy entered a partnership with U.S. Bank and Longroad Energy for the Little Bear Solar Project in Fresno County. The project will produce 480,000-MWH of electricity annually for the local grid, enough to power the equivalent of approximately 715 Best Buy stores. The project is part of Best Buy’s commitment to become carbon neutral across its operations by 2040. Back in June, Best Buy unveiled Best Buy Solar in Martin, S.C., which produces 174,000 MWH of clean electricity for the local power grid on an annual basis.

Renewable Properties begins building Lake Herman Solar Project in Solano County

Solar Industry Magazine – November 17

Renewable Properties started construction of the Lake Herman Solar Project in Benicia, in partnership with MCE, a community choice provider. The 5 MW utility-scale solar energy project is the first to qualify for MCE’s Feed-In Tariff (FIT) Plus program, an expanded wholesale energy supply program designed to provide competitive and predictable energy prices over a 20-year term for locally developed renewable energy assets. The project will increase Benicia’s solar output by 64% from 7.8 MW to 12.8 MW.

Dane County Board paves way for all-renewable energy with approval of major solar farm

Wisconsin State Journal – August 22

Wisconsin’s Dane County Board recently approved plans for Alliant Energy to build a 16.5 MW solar farm on 295 acres of county property in the town of Cottage Grove. The project would allow the county to offset all of its operational electricity use with renewable energy produced by the Alliant farm, along with energy from the county’s own solar panels and a 9 MW solar farm under construction at the Dane County Regional Airport.