What's been going on in the USA's renewable energy industry in the last month? From a $45 million commitment from the Biden Administration for more solar manufacturing, to huge sales for Duke Energy, First Solar and Leeward Renewable Energy; catch up on the biggest developments with the Renewables Roundup hosted by CMC's energy expert Eddy Maunder.
Our stop story this month is that as part the Biden Administration’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $45 million in funding, including $18 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to support pilot manufacturing of solar components. The Investing in America agenda intends to bring manufacturing back to America after decades of offshoring, which will relieve the U.S. dependence on foreign countries for imports and will also create new, good-paying jobs.
Biden's $45 million solar manufacturing pledge
As part of the Biden Administration’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $45 million in funding, including $18 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to support pilot manufacturing of solar components. The Investing in America agenda intends to bring manufacturing back to America after decades of offshoring, which will relieve the U.S. dependence on foreign countries for imports and will also create new, good-paying jobs.
The funding to bolster manufacturing for the solar sector supports the Biden Administration’s goal of reducing carbon emissions in the U.S. by roughly 40% in 2030.
Duke Energy sells generation to ArcLight Capital Partners
After agreeing to sell its utility-scale renewables business to Brookfield, Duke has now found a buyer for its distributed generation business. ArcLight Capital Partners, a middle market infrastructure investor, will purchase the DG business for $364 million, inclusive of non-controlling tax equity interests.
Duke Energy expects approximately $259 million of proceeds from this transaction, which is subject to certain customary adjustments and will be received upon closing.
The distributed generation business being sold includes REC Solar/Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions operating assets, development pipeline and O&M portfolio, as well as distributed fuel cell projects managed by Bloom Energy. Employees of the distributed generation business will transition to ArcLight to maintain business continuity for its operations and customers.
First Solar supplies 1GW solar modules to Capital Power
First Solar announced Edmonton-based wholesale power producer Capital Power has ordered 1 GW of its Series 6 Plus solar modules. The modules are expected to be delivered between 2026 and 2028, as demand for First Solar’s technology pushes its orders further into the future.
Capital Power, committed to net zero emissions by 2045, operates 7.5 GW of capacity across 29 facilities in North America. The company has a mixed asset base of solar, wind, gas, energy storage, and waste heat facilities. It has a U.S. solar pipeline of about 2.4 GW.
Leeward Renewable Energy announces 15 year partnership with Southern California Edison
Leeward Renewable Energy and Southern California Edison (SCE) announced they have entered into a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement for LRE’s 126 MW battery storage Antelope Valley BESS facility in Kern County, California. Once complete, the facility will be our first standalone battery energy storage system and will expand LRE’s growing renewable energy portfolio to include about 1 GWh of operating storage capacity. This represents a critical step in the transition to a cleaner, more reliable power grid.
Leeward Renewable Energy and Southern California Edison (SCE) announced they have entered into a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement for LRE’s 126 MW battery storage Antelope Valley BESS facility in Kern County, California. Once complete, the facility will be our first standalone battery energy storage system and will expand LRE’s growing renewable energy portfolio to include about 1 GWh of operating storage capacity. This represents a critical step in the transition to a cleaner, more reliable power grid.
Matrix Renewables acquires Stillhouse Solar Project
Matrix Renewables has acquired the Stillhouse Solar Project, a late-stage-development 284 MW solar project in Bell County, Texas, from OCI Solar Power, a developer of utility-scale solar projects. The transaction follows up on Matrix’s Gaskell West Project, totalling 142 MW DC solar with 80 MWh of battery storage, which achieved commercial operation earlier this month.
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