Massachusetts’ Cuttyhunk Island is the latest island and vacation destination to transition its energy supply from diesel to solar and storage to save money. The new microgrid  combines a 352 kilowatt solar array with 1 megawatt of battery storage, provided a majority of the island’s power needs during the height of this summer’s tourist season. This winter, as the population drops to 50 people, the microgrid will provide 80 percent of Cuttyhunk’s energy needs.

Duke Energy filed a settlement agreement with the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) to invest $6 billion to install 700 megawatts of solar, 50 megawatts of energy storage and 500 electric vehicle charging stations in Florida. The settlement also modernize the grid and end the proposed Levy Nuclear Project at no further cost to customers in Florida.

Green Mountain Power customers are about to harvest the benefits of the latest solar farm in Vermont. The Vermont Public Utility Commission (VPUC) approved plans to build the 252 kilowatt Margery Evans community solar array in Guilford, VT. That is enough energy to power roughly 100 homes.

In keeping with its sustainability efforts, Apple announced that its newest data center in Waukee, Iowa will be powered purely by renewable energy. The company said that as part of the $1.3 billion project, it will also invest $100 million into Waukee’s Public Improvement Fund. The program will support infrastructure development, grid updates and community projects like parks, schools and libraries.

Comcast keeps adding to its bundled services, thanks to a partnership with residential solar provider Sunrun. Starting in late 2017, Comcast customers in select markets can sign up for rooftop solar and energy storage systems provided by Sunrun. With a base of 27 million customers, the partnership will utilize Comcast’s vast communications network to promote the offering.

Coronal Energy and Gulf Power are celebrating the completion of the 120 megawatt Gulf Coast Solar Center on land owned by the US Department of Defense in Northwest Florida. Built on three Navy and Air Force sites, the solar plants are currently the largest solar portfolio installed on military property. The projects will provide solar for over 18,000 homes annually throughout Gulf Power’s service area in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties and create back-up power security for the Navy and Air Force in case of grid failure. 

Solar panel and equipment companies, including Jinko Solar, Panasonic and LG Electronics were among Green Builder Media's 2017 Eco-Leaders. The companies recognized proactively reduced their carbon emissions through their renewable energy portfolios, sustainable manufacturing initiatives and more. 

Looking for a new way to live a sustainable lifestyle on the road? Check out Kirkland, WA’s, Homegrown Trailers and its new solar-powered Timberline RV trailer. The 23-foot long, wood paneled, teardrop trailer is constructed with sustainably sourced, non-toxic materials and features 800 watts of solar panels combined with a 6 kilowatt-hour lithium battery system.

Home Depot is finding a way to utilize 104,000 square-feet of empty roof space at its retail locations in the eastern US. The company is installing 11.9 megawatts of solar across 20 New Jersey stores and 10 stores in Connecticut, Maryland and Washington DC. Each store that gets a solar installation is estimated to reduce its electric demands frmo the grid by up to 35 percent, according to the company.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced that this year’s $1 million grand prize winner of the 76West Clean Energy Competition is Skyven Technologies from Dallas. With a total of $2.5 million in awards, 6 companies won $250,000 or more. The contest aims to stimulate economic growth and jobs in the Southern Tier region.