Energy Digest

A campaign in Ohio's Richland County to keep a renewable energy ban in place is funded by those who promote fossil fuels, with significant financial ties between the group and individuals from the energy industry. The county was one of over 30 Ohio counties that banned new construction of solar and wind farms last summer.

Advanced Green Technologies installed a 2.2-MWDC solar system at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, more than doubling its solar energy production while maintaining the same rooftop footprint. The installation supports the center's LEED Gold certification and sustainability strategy, powering daily operations. It is one of Florida's largest rooftop solar installations.

A bill called the "American Energy Dominance Act" has been introduced by four Republican legislators to extend effective lengths for various clean energy tax credits, including investment and production tax credits for commercial solar projects. The goal is to preserve these tax incentives, which would help support continued growth in the clean energy sector. If passed, the legislation could provide stability for companies investing in renewable energy technologies.

Building impactful careers in the renewable energy landscape requires courage, curiosity, and inclusion, turning setbacks into growth and empowering more women to lead technical innovation. Diverse perspectives are crucial for solving complex challenges in the solar, energy storage, EV charging, and grid infrastructure sectors. Gender diversity and inclusion drive innovation, competitiveness, and adaptability, making these environments more attractive for talent needed to drive the energy transition forward.

The European Commission's AccelerateEU energy crisis plan endorses a 200 GW battery storage target for 2030, but lacks a dedicated financing mechanism. SolarPower Europe estimates the bloc will reach only about 160 GW by 2030 under its medium scenario, leaving it short of the target. The association is calling for an EU-wide auction funded by emissions trading revenues to support the ambitious goal.

Plus Power has signed an 8-year ESA with TVA for the 200MW/800MWh Crawfish Creek BESS in Alabama. The project will provide approximately 800MWh of energy storage capacity to support grid reliability.

Community solar company Chaberton Energy is seeking 27 acres of land in Montgomery County, Maryland to co-locate agricultural activities with PV project sites. Farmers will have access to the land at no cost and be compensated for vegetation and other benefits. The goal is to implement agrivoltaic projects that promote sustainable agriculture and renewable energy production.

The Sisters of Notre Dame of the United States have completed a ground-mounted solar energy project at their Whitehouse, Ohio facility. The initiative supports their commitment to care for creation and advances the Church's call for decisive action on sustainability. This marks an effort rooted in Catholic Social Teaching to protect creation and ensure a more just and sustainable future.

Solar power saw a significant surge in global electricity generation last year, with records set globally and regionally. The energy think tank Ember reported that solar power output increased by 17% worldwide, driven by growth in Asia-Pacific markets such as China, India, and Japan. This upward trend is expected to continue, with the International Energy Agency predicting solar power will reach 26% of global electricity generation by 2025.

UL Solutions has enhanced large-scale fire testing for battery energy storage systems to provide clearer information on how battery fires start, grow, and spread. The new testing follows the sixth edition of ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A, a standard for evaluating the fire performance of BESS. This updated testing aims to support code authorities and fire service professionals in better understanding and mitigating battery fire risks.