EnergySage’s Community Solar Marketplace is going nationwide. Homeowners, businesses, and renters can easily access eligible projects in their area online and comparison-shop. EnergySage sees it as both empowering the consumer and fueling industry growth.
The EIA reports that 2019 renewable energy consumption was greater than coal across the US for the first time in 135 years (mainly due to wind and solar). National coal consumption was at its lowest level since1964 and coal-fired electricity generation dropped to a 42-year low.
SPW assessed how the states are doing with their decarbonization goals. 30 states, DC, and 3 territories have an RPS and 7 states and 1 territory have renewable goals. Most want to reach net-zero energy for 2020 and some have set early milestones. Check SPW’s interactive map.
Six upcoming trends in energy storage are long duration (8-16 hours), modularization, microgrids, and energy storage (design more standardized), electricity wholesale retail and DER market participation, V2X application (vehicle-to-anything), and Virtual Power Plants.
Highlights from industry vet Barry Cinnamon’s 2021 predictions: module efficiency = northerly sloped rooftops won’t be ignored, more buildings will be designed carbon-negative, SolarEdge and Enphase will continue to dominate, safety standards will delay energy storage product releases.
To sell carport solar systems requires thinking beyond that they’re mainly for generating the kW-hours. Instead, solar production funds the physical infrastructure – the focus is the value of having carports for a business while the revenue stream from energy savings pays off its mortgage.
Senate Democratic control means a clear mandate to act on a 100 % clean electricity standard by 2035, easier confirms of Biden’s green team picks (impacting FERC in particular), plus Sen. Chuck Schumer as Senate Majority Leader means more traction for clean energy.
8 manufacturers are pushing for standardization of 210mm silicon wafers and modules. The goal is to improve production efficiency and optimize the supply chain and spur innovation by setting 210+/-0.25mm as the standard size of silicon wafers in the 210-220mm size range.
Biden’s plan on fighting climate change includes strong methane pollution limits for new oil and gas, using fed govt procurement system to push 100% clean energy and EVs, giving the Clean Air Act teeth, and requiring public companies to disclose climate risks and greenhouse gas emissions.
Solar Builder has released their 2021 Guide to Installer Partner Programs. They lay out the general descriptions, cool features, tiers, and links to each one. Includes Panasonic, SMA, Generac, QuickBOLT, SunPower, Morningstar, Solaria, IronRidge, Unirac, and Aptos.