North America PV Snippets: Buckeye, Aurora Solar, SEIA

• Buckeye Partners has purchased a 270 MW Texas located solar power plant from OCI Solar Power
• Aurora Solar has acquired Folsom Labs to enhance its software capabilities for solar energy
• California Energy Commission has proposed for all new buildings in the state to be equipped with solar and storage

270 MW solar project exchanges hands: A construction-ready solar project with 270 MW capacity in Falls County, Texas, US has found new owners after Buckeye Partners, L.P. purchased it from OCI Solar Power, LLC. The facility is called Project Parker and is expected to enter construction later in 2021 with commissioning scheduled for Q1/2023. OCI Solar Power has secured site control and completed all permitting and electrical interconnection agreements. For liquid petroleum products pipeline operator Buckeye Partners, this is yet another solar project acquisition after it acquired a 180 MW solar facility in Texas from Belltown Power Texas, LLC in the beginning of August 2021 (see North America PV Snippets: Buckeye,Duke,SunPower,Waaree,Amp).

Aurora Solar acquires Folsom Labs: Solar technology company Aurora Solar Inc. has acquired software solutions provider Folsom Labs, Inc. It said the acquisition accelerates its strategy to provide best-in-class tools for solar companies, from residential to large-scale commercial solar, and for all teams within an organization. The acquisition of the developer of design software HelioScope will enable Aurora Solar to undertake faster product innovation and enhance its customer experience, the latter added.

California rooting for solar and storage for rooftops: There could be a dramatic expansion of solar and energy storage in California if the California Building Standards Commission approves the California Energy Commission's (CEC) proposal to approve requirements for all new buildings in the state to be equipped with solar and storage. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the rules would apply to all multifamily, non-residential buildings including offices, schools, restaurants, apartments and the like. Last week, the CEC voted in complete agreement and  approved the 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards. If approved according to schedule in December by the Building Standards Commission, the new rules will come into effect from January 1, 2023. "This vote builds on California's landmark decision in 2019 to require virtually all new homes in the state to incorporate solar panels. In addition to these requirements, the 2022 ruling calls for newly built homes in California to be made ready for energy storage," stated SEIA. California aims to become completely renewable energy powered by 2045 (see California Aims For 100% Clean Energy By 2045).