The fallout from February’s winter storm in Texas could see new legislation enacted that would shift the cost of ancillary services onto renewable energy projects, potentially derailing solar deployment in a state that is currently on track to surpass California and become the US’ leading PV market. Jules Scully speaks to the market to determine the risk posed to solar as a result.
Three US utilities have hit out at proposed changes to Texas’s energy market that they say would lead to new costs for solar facilities and curb investment in the state’s renewables sector.
Utilities operating in the US state of Washington must eliminate coal-fired generation by the end of 2025 and source 100% of their electricity from renewable or non-carbon-emitting sources by 2045, according to new rules announced by regulators.
A record amount of utility-scale PV capacity is expected to be connected to the grid in the US this year, with Texas accounting for more than a quarter of solar additions, according to new data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Arizona regulators have approved a plan that will require utilities in the state to receive all their power from carbon-free sources such as solar and wind by 2050.
US wholesale energy markets will be opened up to distributed energy resources (DERs) such as small-scale solar units and battery storage systems under a new ruling that proponents say will enhance grid reliability and lower costs for consumers.
Duke Energy is considering additional investments in solar projects in Florida and the Carolinas as it reels from a US$1.6 billion expense related to the cancellation of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP).
Utility and subsidiary of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Energy aims to add 6.3GW of PV and 2.8GW of batteries by 2038, with storage part of ‘low-cost’ calculations for the first time.
Regulator MPSC approves settlement of dispute with Consumers Energy but solar reps believe underlying PURPA act must be enforced to stop further utility dominance.
