Solar News of the Week 7.10
SunFarm Energy
Your local solar experts specializing in residential solar, battery storage, off-grid solutions, and EV charging.
This week we're putting a spotlight on an informative new voice in clean energy journalism. Canary Media is an independent nonprofit newsroom dedicated to reporting on the energy transition. It's a great resource for solar advocates and we frequently feature their reporting on a variety of topics. Explore a few stories from the past few weeks on community solar, America's first solar-covered canal, and a record-breaking quarter for battery storage.
Plus, we're talking about new research showing clean energy issues becoming more partisan, and what happens when solar companies go bust.
FEATURED MEDIA OUTLET
A new peer-reviewed study found that community solar makes renewable power more accessible, especially for those living in rentals and multi-family buildings. The study looked at 11 states and found that those who adopt the community solar model are 6.1 times more likely to live in multi-family buildings, 4.4 times more likely to rent, and earn 23 percent less than those who adopt rooftop solar.
A pilot program in Arizona is nearing completion, marking the first time a canal-based solar project will be installed in the U.S. The project will produce 1.3 megawatts and stretches for a half mile along the Casa Blanca Canal. Built on land used by Native Americans for thousands of years, the project will generate energy for local tribes including the Gila River Indian Community.
领英推荐
In Q1 of 2024, battery installations across the U.S. increased by 84 percent. Roughly 1.3 gigawatts of battery capacity was installed across power plants, homes, and commercial facilities, making it the best start to the year yet for battery storage. Texas, California, and Nevada lead the way for utility-scale installs, but commercial and residential projects also made significant gains.
The New York Times
?“We’ve started to apply political identities to things that shouldn’t have political identities.”?
A new study from the Pew Research Center found that Republican support for wind and solar has declined significantly in the past four years, especially among older Americans. Many experts see this change as evidence of polarization on an issue that used to be largely bipartisan. Focusing more on the economic benefits of renewable energy may sway voters.
TIME
Solar company closures often leave customers in the lurch and in debt with many owing thousands of dollars on a system that may not even be functioning. It's a bad look for a growing industry as headwinds prevail. Research firm Wood Mackenzie estimates that residential installs will shrink by 14 percent this year as interest rates dampen consumer enthusiasm.
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!