Solar News of the Week 2.5
SunFarm Energy
Your local solar experts specializing in residential solar, battery storage, off-grid solutions, and EV charging.
It's a special edition this week! We'll be highlighting some of the biggest stories to come out of the shifting landscape of renewables as the Trump Administration assumes power. Specifically, we'll be looking at the Inflation Reduction Act funding freeze, what federal subsidy changes mean for solar power, how climate donors are emphasizing bipartisan support, and concerns about the future of community solar.
Plus, some additional stories about a new solar grazing business in Texas, the impact of wildfire smoke on solar production, and how rural Americans will play a key role in the energy transition.
SPECIAL SECTION
The new Trump Administration has put a pause on the distribution of funds under the Inflation Reduction Act, throwing many renewable energy projects and incentives into limbo. The new order gives agencies 90 days to report how the frozen spending aligns with the administration’s energy goals. The move is likely to be challenged in court.?Read More
More On Renewable Energy Policy Changes:
POLITICO
Solar continues to grow significantly and experts at the Energy Information Administration believe it will surpass wind power by the end of this year. The energy source has become so popular and cheap that many experts believe it will survive any efforts to dismantle clean power subsidies.??
The Wall Street Journal
Powerful climate donors are rethinking their strategies as the Trump Administration pulls out of the Paris Climate Accords. Donors are hoping to buoy a groundswell of bipartisan support for climate policies, especially those in Republican districts, in order to protect beneficial Biden-era programs.
领英推荐
The New York Times
A former dairy farm in upstate New York provides power to nearby homeowners and parts of the city. This community solar model allows those without solar to opt into systems elsewhere. In a dense urban area, community solar may be the only option for folks making the switch and the program provides subscribers with a 5 to 20 percent discount on their electric bills. Under the new administration, programs like this may be in jeopardy.?
Associated Press
Maintaining the vegetation beneath large solar installations can be a hefty job. But Texas developers have found a new way. Sheep are now the preferred method of grass control and are better suited than lawn mowers to fit between the small crevices of solar panel installations. As the solar industry explodes, a new business of solar grazing thrives.
The Hill
A new study finds that wildfire smoke that often wafts across the country has a minimal effect on the output of solar panels. Nationwide power from solar has remained relatively stable, despite the extremes of fire seasons. While there can be a large reduction of output from panels closest to active fires, that impact drops quickly as distance increases.
OPINION
Solar Power World
Much of rural America is home to the land needed to successfully transition the U.S. away from fossil fuels. But instead of embracing renewables as a way to diversify economies and increase tax revenue, many states are enacting bans that limit commercial solar development. Listening and learning from rural communities and farmers is key.??
We'll be back in two weeks with more solar and renewable energy news!
Did we miss an important story? Send our editor, Samantha Prue, an article at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!