Solar booms: 2.4 GW installed during Q2 in the United States (w/ charts)
The United States saw another strong quarter of solar market growth during Q2. However, the residential market declined year-over year, and the Section 201 trade case does not bode well for the future.
Report: Energy storage is starting to become standard for US utilities
The Smart Electric Power Alliance said the vast majority of the utilities they surveyed plan to offer behind-the-meter storage programs for their residential and commercial customers.
Hawaii regulators approve HECO’s 100% renewable energy plan
After years of trying to get utilities fully on board, HECO has issued a five-year plan to double solar and renewables on the road to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2040.
Elettronica Santerno secures 27 MW inverter order in the United States
The Italian inverter maker will supply its devices for a large-scale PV project under development in Nevada.
NextEra plans deeper moves into solar
The world’s largest wind and solar asset owner has identified opportunities for 9-10 GW of solar as it expands into renewables and away from risky conventional merchant generation.
Silicon Ranch to build 200 MW-AC of solar in the United States
The portfolio of four solar projects will provide low-cost electricity for 38 co-ops in Georgia, and builds on existing projects developed by the two companies.
Deloitte says millennials are driving solar expansion
According to Deloitte’s annual “Resources 2017 Study – Energy Management: Sustainability & Progress,” grid parity, driven by technological advances and plunging prices, has allowed consumers and businesses to choose clean energy over more traditional fossil-fuel options, with increasing solar use being most consumers’ top priority.
California market troubles bring down U.S. residential numbers during Q1
While utility-scale and C&I solar performed well, the U.S. residential market contracted 17% due to slowness in California and other key solar markets.
More solar and hydro brings California gas use to five-year low
As renewable energy breaks new output records in California, both the need for and availability of gas in California have both declined.
Trump budget guts solar research at NREL and Berkeley (14 essential documents embedded)
The president’s federal budget for Fiscal Year 2018 includes the expected cuts to renewable energy within the DOE’s walls, but the cuts to prominent national labs – including the elimination of energy-storage research funding at both – could have unforeseen long-term effects on the industry.
