North America PV News Snippets

CAISO reports RE high for California grid; Florida Governor rejects anti-rooftop solar bill; Duke Energy constructing 120 MW project; Coast Energy launches C&I financing business; Polar Racking a supplier for Canadian microgrid and BESS project.

Over 97% RE for California grid on April 3, 2022: The California Independent System Operator (ISO) says on April 3, 2022 the grid had 97.6% of electricity coming from renewable energy which peaked briefly at 3.39 pm. It was followed by a 'historical' solar peak of 13.628 GW just after noon on April 8, 2022. "These moments help crystallize the vision of the modern, efficient and sustainable grid of the future," said ISO Board of Governors Chair, Ashutosh Bhagwat. The state already has over 15 GW of grid connected solar power capacity and around 8 GW of wind energy online. By 2045, it will increase further since the state aims to go carbon free by then. In February 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved the state to bring in around 25.5 GW of new supply side renewables, including 18.88 GW utility scale solar (see California Targets 25.5 GW New RE Supply).

Florida Governor vetoes solar net-metering bill: The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has hailed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for vetoing what it terms as an anti-rooftop solar bill. If cleared, it would have phased down net metering and allowed utilities to charge unlimited fee from solar customers. "Florida is one of the fastest-growing solar markets in the country with new businesses popping up all across the state," said SEIA President and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper. "This veto signals that Florida's energy economy is open for business, and that the rights of state residents should be placed ahead of monopoly utility interests."

Duke Energy constructing 120 MW solar project: Duke Energy's nonregulated commercial brand, Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions has started construction of its 120 MW Jackpot Solar Project in Idaho's Twin Falls County. The company said this is its 1^st utility scale renewable energy project in the state. It will also be the largest operational solar facility in Idaho on completion which is targeted for by 2022-end. Power generated will be supplied to Idaho Power under 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA). Duke Energy aims to grow its share of renewables to 16 GW by 2025 and 47 GW by 2050, up from over 10 GW of solar and wind energy it achieved at the end of 2021.

Coast Energy launches C&I solar financing: California based commercial and industrial (C&I) solar development firm Coast Energy Holdings has raised an undisclosed but substantial growth investment from Crosstimbers Capital Group. The company said it will use the proceeds to accelerate its fast-growing commercial solar development and PPA financing platform. With this, it has also launched its C&I solar financing business through which it will offer unique financing solutions for solar panel installations to help customers increase their net operating income (NOI) and achieve environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals with solar energy.

Polar Racking products for 26.26 MW Canadian project: Canada based Polar Racking will supply its foundations and racking for the 26.26 MW DC community microgrid and 10 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Summerside, Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada. Polar Racking was selected by Aspin Kemp & Associates (AKA) for the Sunbank Project and says it is responsible for supplying and engineering the structural racking for this large ground mounted solar project. It is aimed at reducing the city's electricity imports from 58% to 38%. Sunbank Project Manager Tom St. Onge called it a showcase project for the region and a 1^st renewable energy project of this scale on the island.