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California firm contracts ‘astoundingly’ cheap solar-plus-storage pipeline
US state of California has witnessed yet another claim of ultra-low solar prices, recorded in the context of a major contracting exercise by a community energy
Oct 1, 2019 // Plants, Large-Scale, Commercial, Storage, Tariffs, California, USA, Nick Chaset, EBCE, sPower, pv power plants, solar-plus-storage, BESS, North America, 8minutenergy, terra-gen, 8minute Solar Energy
EDF Renewables to Supply 117 MWac of Solar Energy to California Utility
titan EDF Renewables North America has revealed a 20-year PPA with Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) for the energy as well as renewable attributes
Mar 23, 2023 // Markets & Finance News, PPA, BESS, EDF Renewables North America, American solar industry, Anaheim, Michael Webster, Pasadena, Riverside County solar project, Sapphire Solar project, SCPPA solar power purchase, Sohinaz Sotoudeh, Vernon
California passes law that prevents cities from taxing energy generated by solar rooftop projects
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law last week financial protections for consumer investments in rooftop solar energy. The law, AB 1208 authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), extends a prohibition on cities and counties taxing the energy generated by rooftop solar panels for use by homeowners and businesses.
“We applaud Governor Newsom and Assemblymember Ting for protecting consumers’ right to generate their own energy from the sun without unfair taxes,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, Executive Director of the California Solar & Storage Association, sponsor of AB 1208. “Reducing costs, eliminating red tape, and encouraging consumers to go solar are all critical components of meeting California’s ambitious clean energy goals.”
Cities and counties have the ability to tax utility services, such as electricity, as one potential source of local revenues. Since 2013, the energy generated by rooftop solar panels has been explicitly exempt from what is called the “Utility Users Tax” or “UUT.” That pre-existing exemption was set to expire December 31, 2019. AB 1208 extended it another seven years.
“I’m proud to champion a bill that maintains California’s position as a leader in promoting renewable energy, which helps the effort to clean our air and fight climate change. The Governor’s signature keeps customer-owned clean energy affordable and will keep encouraging the use of greener power to reduce our carbon emissions,” said Assemblymember Ting.
At a time when the state has set ambitious clean energy goals, AB 1208 ensures that local governments do not create counter-productive disincentives to homeowners and businesses considering investments in clean energy. The law also provides consumers that have already invested in solar energy with the assurance that cities and counties will not tax their solar energy in the future.
“I’m thrilled to see California take this decisive step toward protecting a homeowner’s most basic clean energy right,” said Dave Rosenfeld, Executive Director of Solar Rights Alliance, a statewide association of California solar users. “Just like growing your own carrots and avoiding sales taxes, if you put the sunlight that falls on your roof or property to your own use, you shouldn’t have to pay a tax either.”
The bill faced little controversy since it was introduced in May. It passed both the State Assembly and Senate with unanimous support.
Sep 9, 2019 // Rooftop PV, California, USA, rooftop, North America, rooftop solar, Gavin Newsom, Bernadette Del Chiaro, Assemblymember Ting, Dave Rosenfeld, Solar Rights Alliance
GridBeyond Secures Deal to Optimize Gore Street's California Battery
to deliver trading and optimization services for a 200-MW battery facility in California. This facility is owned by Gore Street Energy Storage Fund PLC, a company
Feb 28, 2025 // Storage, California, USA, North America, GridBeyond
California PUC approves 11.5 GW clean power procurement however much less enthusiastic on rooftop solar
to carbon nonpartisanship," Patrick Sinclair, executive supervisor of the California Alliance for Renewable Energy Solutions (CARES) claimed in a declaration sent
Jun 26, 2021 // Markets & Finance News, Policy, Rooftop PV, California, USA, CPUC, North America, renewables, regulation, utilities commission, Clifford Rechtschaffen, Bernadette De Chiaro
Major modifications for private PV systems in California
hr, i.e. a very high payment offered the specific solar energy returns in warm California. Under the "NEM 3.0" system, which works on April 15, 2023, it will certainly
Dec 21, 2022 // Markets & Finance News, Tariffs, Policy, USA, CPUC, California Public Utilities Commission, North America
California State Fund Starts Construction of Solar Energy Program Created by ENGIE
place on local and statewide electric grids, and boost air quality throughout California," stated Andreas Acker, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative
May 20, 2021 // Plants, Markets & Finance News, ENERGY STORAGE, Engie, sustainable energy, Andreas Acker, Kyle Goehring, California State Fund, Solar Energy Program
Renewable Properties Develops 30 MW of Solar to Benefit California Households, Who Can’t Install Solar Panels
projects with PG&E to bring clean energy to disadvantaged communities in California. Totaling nearly 30 MW, the projects are part of the Disadvantaged Communities
Feb 2, 2023 // Plants, USA, North America, PV Power Plant, Renewable Properties
Nexus Renewables to Release 27MW/108MWh BTM Battery Energy Storage Space in California
benefits.
These battery power storage properties will aid the State of California in making its targets of 60 percent renewable resource penetration by 2030 and
Dec 30, 2020 // Storage, California, USA, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, North America, Keith Sandor, Nexus Renewables
California Eyes Rapid Renewable Boost via Gas Site Conversion
California could rapidly add 23 GW of renewable energy by converting aging gas stations into solar-plus-wind plants, according to GridLab. The think-tank's model shows 31 GW of under-utilized transmission rights from existing thermal generators, enough to meet Senate Bill 100's 2030 clean power requirements. By integrating four-hour batteries, developers could bypass CAISO's congested interconnection queue and qualify for full federal Investment Tax Credits before 2027.GridLab suggests a "fast-track" tariff allowing gas-plant owners to retain stakes or receive fees for releasing capacity, potentially saving $4 billion in grid-upgrade costs and reducing CO₂ emissions by 35 million tonnes by 2040. While some worry about air-quality issues, GridLab argues that most sites are in permitted industrial zones, simplifying permitting. The California Public Utilities Commission will discuss the proposal next month.
How can converting gas stations to solar-wind plants meet California's clean energy goals?
Converting gas stations to solar-wind plants can significantly contribute to California's renewable energy targets by utilizing existing infrastructure and transmission rights, accelerating the transition to clean energy.
This approach can help meet the requirements of Senate Bill 100, which mandates 100% clean energy by 2045, by adding substantial renewable capacity quickly and efficiently.
By integrating solar and wind energy with battery storage, these converted sites can provide reliable, continuous power, addressing intermittency issues associated with renewable energy sources.
The conversion can bypass the congested interconnection queue, allowing for faster deployment of renewable energy projects and ensuring timely access to federal Investment Tax Credits.
Utilizing existing gas station sites can minimize the need for new land development, preserving natural habitats and reducing environmental impact.
The proposal could lead to significant cost savings in grid upgrades, estimated at $4 billion, by optimizing existing transmission infrastructure.
Reducing CO₂ emissions by 35 million tonnes by 2040 aligns with California's climate goals and contributes to global efforts to combat climate change.
The fast-track tariff proposal could incentivize gas-plant owners to participate in the transition, ensuring a smoother and more collaborative shift to renewable energy.
Most gas station sites are located in industrial zones, which can simplify the permitting process and address potential air-quality concerns.
The initiative supports job creation in the renewable energy sector, providing new opportunities for workers transitioning from fossil fuel industries.
Aug 6, 2025 // Plants, Large-Scale, Commercial, California, USA, North America
Renewable Properties Powers Up 17 MW Solar in California
Properties has commenced construction on 17 MWdc of solar projects in California, supported by $35.8 million in loans from Optus Bank, Pathward, and BridgePeak
May 9, 2025 // Plants, Large-Scale, Commercial, California, USA, North America, Renewable Properties
SOLV Energy breaks ground on unique solar peaker plant in California
Engineers Regional 12, the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, Southern California Area Council of Laborers as well as its affiliated Local Union 1184, IBEW
Feb 23, 2023 // Plants, Large-Scale, Commercial, California, USA, North America, PV Power Plant, SOLV Energy
Enphase: Demand for Solar-Battery Systems Could Soar After California Blackouts
on how Enphase's soon-to-launch integrated energy storage system could aid Californians facing the state’s unfolding wildfire and grid blackout emergency.
Oct 30, 2019 // Storage, USA, Sunrun, SolarEdge, North America, Enphase, Badri Kothandaraman
Free batteries for low-income houses to fight California blackouts
to provide complimentary energy storage systems to low-income citizens in California's wild-fire susceptible areas could not have come with an extra crucial or
Aug 25, 2020 // Storage, USA, Sunrun, North America, Lynn Jurich, GRID Alternatives
PS Acquires Half Share in California Solar Project
300-MW Desert Quartzite solar-plus-storage project in Riverside County, California. The project, which includes a 150-MW four-hour battery energy storage system,
Aug 29, 2024 // Plants, Markets & Finance News, Storage, California, USA, North America, Power Sustainable