UtilityDIVE reports transmission congestion in the western portion of New York is limiting the state’s ability to access hydropower during summer peaks, state regulators said last week. This resource is regarded as essential to meeting a 50% renewables target by 2030. “Inadequate transmission capability is causing transmission congestion in Western New York, which prevents renewable resources […]

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Argentina has awarded a total 1.1 GW of renewable energy projects in its first auction round of the RenovAR program. Of this total, 400 MW of solar electricity projects. The government has also announced a second round (“Round 1.5”) in November which will include a quota for 200 MW of PV projects. The RenovvAR program, […]

The post Renewable Electricity Auctions: Argentina Awards 400 MW In Solar In RenovAR Program appeared first on PlanetSave.

Originally published on CleanTechnica Debates have raged across the country around the value and/or need for net metering. Most conversation has focused exclusively on the residential perspective. However, Graham Smith, CEO of Open Energy, asks about the impact of the ever-changing net meeting policies on commercial solar? Net Metering Backgrounder According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA): “Net […]

The post A Call For Commercial Net Metering appeared first on PlanetSave.

The Taiwan government is targeting generating 20% of the nation’s electricity from renewable sources by 2025. According to Taiwan Today, vice president Chen Chien-jen says this represents a boost to the green energy industry and a transition to a nuclear-free nation. To achieve its target, the government plans a substantial investment of NT$1.2 trillion (US$38 […]

The post Taiwan VP Is Committed To 20% Renewable Energy Target appeared first on PlanetSave.

Germany’s Federal Network Agency has announced a cross-border auction for ground-mounted photovoltaic installations in cooperation with Denmark. As reported by Energy Business Review, this auction will mark the first time Denmark jointly participates in a German auction. Rainer Baake, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, said: “With this first cross-border auction […]

The post Germany & Denmark Launch Cross-Border Solar Electricity Auction appeared first on PlanetSave.

The Public Utility Authority (PUA) of Israel has announced it plans to issue more than 1GW of a new solar tender following a two-year hiatus from any new solar development. This anticipated plan represents an effort to boost this nation’s renewable electricity production and distribution. As reported by PVTech, the planned tender is being authorized […]

The post Israel: Public Utility Authority Plans 1GW Solar Tender appeared first on PlanetSave.

According to World Nuclear News, the Swedish utility Vattenfall is suing Germany at the Washington-based International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes concerning the closure of the Brunsbüttel and Krümmel nuclear power plants. As announced by Vattenfall on October 10: “The hearing on Vattenfall’s claim against the Federal Republic of Germany at the International Centre for […]

The post Swedish Utility Vattenfall Sues Germany On Closure Of Brunsbüttel & Krümmel Nuclear Power Plants appeared first on PlanetSave.

UtilityDIVE reports Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) has released a draft solar incentive program supporting the addition of 1.6 GW of solar power to the state. If enacted, this program will replace the state’s expiring solar incentive program, which uses solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) and is known as SREC-2, with a tariff program. The current SREC-2 program […]

The post Massachusetts Governor Unveils New Solar Incentive Program appeared first on PlanetSave.

Following a series of ill-managed issues concerning the operation of its electricity transmission infrastructure, Chile has appointed five directors for the Board of its Independent Coordinator of the National Electric System, after its major transmission law upheaval. The country passed a new law on electricity transmission in July in order to help the development of […]

The post Chile Appoints Board Of New Electric System Operator In Midst Of Grid Overhaul  appeared first on PlanetSave.

Turkey has announced a new solar tender to be launched by the end of the year. Initial information gives some clues as to what this tender might include. The country’s energy minister Berat Albayrak recently stated Turkey plans to launch new tenders for coal and solar power capacity by the end of the year. He spoke […]

The post Turkey Will Post 1 GW Solar Tender By Year-End appeared first on PlanetSave.

In a press announcement, GRID Alternatives Colorado, an affiliate of the nation’s largest nonprofit solar installer, today announced its support for a comprehensive utility settlement being considered by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) this week to address significant state energy policy issues and increase access to solar power for Colorado’s most underserved communities. Under the […]

The post Grid Alternatives Supports Low-Income Access To Solar Energy appeared first on PlanetSave.

NTPC, the largest utility in India, has invited bids for the development of 250MW of solar capacity in the Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka. PVTech reports the utility will split this clean electricity capacity will be split into five blocks of 50MW projects. The tender is for the design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, packing and forwarding, […]

The post India: NTPC Utility Invites Bids For 250MW Solar Electricity In Karnataka appeared first on PlanetSave.

The National Energy Administration (NEA) of China has published its draft version of proposed 2017 feed-in tariff (FiT) levels for ground mount and distributed generation PV power plants. The lowered tariffs represent significant cuts to both sectors and overall curtailment of installations. According to PVTech, the Asia Europe Clean Energy (Solar) Advisory (AECEA) has estimated […]

The post China NEA Drafts Proposed Cuts To 2017 Solar FiTs appeared first on PlanetSave.

According to Energy Business Review, Mexico has selected 23 bidders for the development of $4 billion worth of photovoltaic solar, wind and other clean energy projects. This selection came as a result of the second round of its power auction. National Energy Control Center (CENACE) of Mexico organized the second long-term energy auction for the wholesale […]

The post Mexico Taps 23 Auction Bidders On Developing $4 Billion In Renewable Energy Projects appeared first on PlanetSave.

Independent global testing and certification body UL (Underwriters Laboratory) has acquired renewable energy engineering services and support firm, AWS Truepower for an unspecified sum. Underwriters Laboratory (UL) announced its AWS Truepower acquisition will strengthen its full lifecycle solutions. “There is strong alignment between the two brands,” said Jeffrey Smidt, vice president & general manager for UL Energy […]

The post UL Courting Solar Market With New Acquisition appeared first on PlanetSave.

Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has awarded 450MW of solar capacity in the state of Maharashtra, with the lowest collective set of bids involving viability gap funding (VGF) to date. The low bids add emphasis to significant solar electricity activities occurring within this nation’s borders. A total of two foreign firms won significant capacity in […]

The post India’s SECI Reports Record-Low Bids In 450MW Maharashtra Solar Auction appeared first on PlanetSave.

New York City mayor Bill de Blasio has issued aggressive targets for New York City electricity storage and solar capacity, totaling 100MWh of storage by 2020 and 1GW of solar capacity by 2030. Tracking the development of NYC solar capacity PVTech reports the city will issue permits for more than 3,000 solar panel installations this […]

The post NYC Agressively Targets 100MWh Electricity Storage By 2020, Boosting Solar Plays appeared first on PlanetSave.

A tender for 1GW of capacity in Inner Mongolia shows China’s lowest ever bids for solar electricity, according to a report from Reuters. Reuters cited news outlet China Business News in its report that fifty solar developers and manufacturers had bid as low as CBY0.52/kWh (US$0.078) in this government-backed auction. Reuters added this price point comes […]

The post Inner Mongolia Solar Tender Shows Lowest Bids For Solar Electricity appeared first on PlanetSave.

Urban solar farms are now being explored in South Africa under a grant awarded by the US Trade and Development Agency. The grant has been has awarded to SolarReserve South Africa Limited to advance its “Urban Solar Farms” initiative in South Africa. This is a study concerning large metropolitan municipalities intended to provide a framework for […]

The post SolarReserve to Develop 200MW Of Urban Solar Farms in South Africa appeared first on PlanetSave.

UtilityDIVE has reported local mayors and nuclear energy supporters now represent parties challenging Pacific Gas & Electric’s plan to close the 2,240 MW Diablo Canyon nuclear plant and replace it with a combination of renewables and efficiency. Presently, six mayors of cities in San Luis Obispo County, where the plant is located, filed with regulators last […]

The post Backlash on Planned Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant Closure appeared first on PlanetSave.

For those measuring the bid price index of recent solar electricity bids, add Abu Dhabi as the new low price leader. PV Tech reports this current bid — 2.42¢/kWh for the planned 350 MW solar plant in Sweihan, in the United Arab Emirates — ranks 17% lower than the tariff awarded to Solarpack in Chile in […]

The post Solar Bid Prices Hit New Low In Abu Dhabi appeared first on PlanetSave.

Originally published on CleanTechnica Solar shingles are now gaining increasing traction in the renewable energy landscape. They are architecturally distinctive, more so than traditional rooftop photovoltaic panels. Solar shingles provide an integrated building product providing both roofing security and solar electricity in one package. As PV Magazine’s Charles W. Thurston has stated, “The nascent field of […]

The post Meet The Men Who Put Solar Shingles On The Roof appeared first on PlanetSave.

Another fossil fuel pipeline project — the Dakota Access pipeline — is being held to a considerable level of environmental scrutiny. Leading national and local environmental, tribal, and landowners’ rights organizations have submitted a letter on to President Obama voicing concern about the Army Corps of Engineers’ approval of some of the permits for the […]

The post Environmental, Tribal, Landowner Groups Seek Obama Repeal Of Permits For Dakota Access Pipeline appeared first on PlanetSave.

Plan on solar-powered electricity in Indonesia to grow markedly in the next few years using FiTs. As reported by SolarServer, the Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources (ESDM) has issued a Government Decree to provide support mechanisms for utility-scale solar photovoltaic systems, exhibition and management services. The driving support mechanism will be the solar FIT priced […]

The post Indonesia To Add 5 GW Of Solar Capacity In 2 – 3 Years Offering FiTs appeared first on PlanetSave.

A new law will now provide Massachusetts with the third US energy storage mandate. Look for storage legislation to gain favor in the upcoming years. “Irrespective of the eventual target, Massachusetts could become the first non-West Coast state to set forth a storage goal,” said Ravi Manghani, director of energy storage at GTM Research. “It […]

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This August Germany’s Federal Network Agency has arranged the fifth solar auction, allocating 130 MW of green electricity to 25 bids. The Federal Network Agency offered 125 MW for its fifth solar auction yet it was oversubscribed by 62 bids for a total of 311 MW tendered, reported PV Magazine. Of the bidding action, 25 projects […]

The post Germany Green Electricity: 130MW Of Solar Bids Won In Fifth Solar Auction appeared first on PlanetSave.

Under the aegis of its Renewable City Strategy, the city of Vancouver has committed to generate 100% of its energy from renewable sources before 2050. In implementing this renewable energy goal, International Wastewater Systems (IWS) has announced a series of wastewater heat recovery projects will be installed in Vancouver. The installations will be launched in partnership with […]

The post Vancouver Carbon Reduction Initiatives Announced appeared first on PlanetSave.

 Write the words ‘Nevada’ and ‘net-metering’ together and you will soon discover a first-rate oxymoron. To the dismay of many rooftop solar enthusiasts and litigants, the Nevada Supreme Court last Thursday rejected a ballot proposal backed by state solar advocates which sought to restore retail rate net metering. The Court ruling stated the language was misleading […]

The post Nevada Supreme Court Nixes Net-Metering Ballot Proposal appeared first on PlanetSave.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) last Thursday approved a June 6 application from Apple’s energy subsidiary to sell electricity in six regional power markets around the country at market rates. “Based on your representations, Apple Energy meets the criteria for a Category 1 seller in all regions and is so designated,” Steve Rodgers, director […]

The post FERC Gives Nod To Apple Petition For Selling Electricity appeared first on PlanetSave.

 Originally published on CleanTechnica In an era of producing multiple forms of renewable electricity, the transmission of this high-voltage energy is becoming increasingly important. Anbaric often uses high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology, heralded as one of the “advanced transmission technologies” in the 2005 Energy Policy Act, which provided for the development of a stronger energy […]

The post Anbaric Renewable Electricity Transmission Using High-Voltage Direct Current Technology appeared first on PlanetSave.

In spite of recent news from the government of Portugal stating solar subsidies are not needed to advance industry growth, José Manuel Medeiros Pinto, general secretary of the Portuguese Renewable Energy Association (APREN) responded, saying solar cannot work without financial support in current market conditions. Following Portugal approving 180MW of unsubsidized solar PV production, Pinto sees subsidized […]

The post Portugal Solar Impossible Without Subsidies Claims APREN appeared first on PlanetSave.

The New York Public Service Commission voted Monday on a 50% clean energy standard. Officials say this will reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030, ensuring the state’s power mix is diverse and can attract billions in clean energy investments. New York’s Clean Energy Standard mandates the state obtains half its power from renewable sources […]

The post New York PSC Approves 50% Clean Energy Standard With Nuclear Subsidies appeared first on PlanetSave.

According international reports, the Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights has issued a complaint directed at 47 of the world’s largest carbon-emitting companies. The action is potentially seeking compensation for human rights damages related to 2013 super typhoon Yolanda, which resulted in the deaths of more than 6,000 people. Triple Pundit has reported the governments of other […]

The post Philippines Issues Climate Change Complaint Against 47 Carbon Emitters appeared first on PlanetSave.

Solar-powered electricity has claimed the biggest share in the renewable energy mix of Ukraine, closely trailed by wind energy production. As reported by pv-magazine, the total capacity of renewable energy plants in Ukraine in midyear had reached 1,028 MW. According to a report released by the SEF-2016 KYIV International Forum of Sustainable Energy in Ukraine, […]

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Minnesota Power has released the first in a series of RFPs as part of its plans to address environmental responsibility to further its EnergyForward strategy. EnergyForward calls for a diversified power supply to meet customers’ needs reliably and cost-effectively in an environmentally responsible manner. “EnergyForward is how Minnesota Power is doing its part to change the […]

The post Minnesota Power Calls For Tenders On Up To 300 MW Utility-Scale Solar & Wind appeared first on PlanetSave.

Solar has taken a back seat this year in the first scheduled Brazil solar auction, The event has been cancelled and will not occur until December. Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) has announced only hydroelectric energy projects can be submitted to its 1st Reserve Energy Auction, which has also been delayed and rescheduled from […]

The post Brazil Cancels 2016 First Solar Auction, Delaying Second appeared first on PlanetSave.

Nevada utility NV Energy filed a proposal this week to grandfather rooftop solar customers into Nevada’s original net metering rates for 20 years, writes the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “After a number of recent failed attempts to negotiate a resolution of this grandfathering issue with out-of-state private solar suppliers, it became clear that NV Energy needed to […]

The post NV Energy Proposes Grandfathering Nevada Rooftop Solar Customers appeared first on PlanetSave.

David Noble, now the outgoing chairman of the Nevada Public Utilities Commission, in his address at the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) meeting, elaborated about the ongoing Nevada net metering battle, “…just as a caution for commissioners around this table about who you’re dealing with and what’s going on.” As reported by UtilityDIVE, Noble told […]

The post Nevada PUC Chair Noble Speaks On Nevada Rooftop Solar Net Metering Ruling appeared first on PlanetSave.

When in Indonesia, add a government decree to the formula for boosting solar energy, and all things begin to look more attractive to clean electricity developers and investors. Until now, the solar market of Southeast Asia has been tepid, at best. But a new decree from Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is set […]

The post Indonesia Solar Market Will Accelerate After Government Decree appeared first on PlanetSave.

In notable solar news, Portugal has authorized the processing of licenses for solar projects which total more than 2,000 megawatts (2 gigawatts) of potential power. Specifically, 180 MW of solar projects have presently been authorized under the existing market system in the nation’s southern region, and an additional 68 licenses for solar projects are being processed, which […]

The post Portugal Processes Licenses For 2 GW Of Solar Electricity, Sans Subsidies appeared first on PlanetSave.

Palestine has licensed its first solar power plant in West Bank. According to pv-tech and Saur Energy International, the 5.7MW solar PV project represents the first utility-scale solar electricity project to get a license in Palestine. The Palestine Energy Ministry has granted licensing and permits for its first large-scale solar power plant near the city of […]

The post Solar First: Palestine Licenses West Bank Solar Power Plant appeared first on PlanetSave.

Last Monday, NextEra Energy and Hawaiian Electric terminated their merger plans following rejection of an acquisition application by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC). UtilityDIVE has reported the PUC rejected NextEra Energy’s proposed $4.3 billion takeover of Hawaiian Electric Industries by a 2-0 vote.  The PUC stated the merger was not in the public interest and the […]

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According to The National, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is requesting proposals for an early-stage feasibility study on producing electricity from geothermal energy and for its use in potential desalination. The other area of focus for the study will be to, for the first time in the country, gauge the potential for tidal, wave […]

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A new report has been released on how cities and counties in California are fulfilling this state’s AB 2188 requirements to adopt expedited permitting processes for residential solar installations. Specifically, the report shows about 70% of these entities have met minimum provisions. Of note, the AB 2188 Implementation Report assesses adopted ordinances, levels of compliance and new permit […]

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An attractive bipartisan energy storage tax incentive bill has been drafted by New Mexico US Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM). As a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, introduced S. 3159, the Energy Storage Tax Incentive and Deployment Act. The bill, designed to establish investment tax credits (ITCs) for business and home use of […]

The post New Mexico Senator Proposes ITC For Storage appeared first on PlanetSave.

Under the new government of UK Prime Minister Theresa May, major changes involving the energy and climate change departments have taken place today. According to pv-tech, the two  departments have been disbanded. The UK’s energy policy will now be decided by a new department headed up by former communities minister Greg Clark, now appointed secretary of […]

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In a news announcement released today, the Advanced Energy Economy Institute (AEE Institute) reports Florida employed an estimated 140,282 advanced energy workers in 2015, nearly twice as many as in agriculture, more than real state, and equal to schools, colleges, and training institutions. These jobs spanned a broad range of technologies including energy efficiency, electricity […]

The post Florida Advanced Energy Industry Claims 140,000 Workers In 2015 appeared first on PlanetSave.

Chile has aggressively moved forward on an electricity transmission law which benefits solar, as well as other sources of energy. Following the Chilean Congress’s passage of a major electricity transmission law, experts contend this will help the development of both renewable and non-renewable energy projects in the country. Under the adopted policy, a new national […]

The post Chile Passes Electricity Transmission Law Benefitting Solar appeared first on PlanetSave.