The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is being sued by five organizations over its controversial new fixed wholesale grid-access charge on customers even as it lowers costs for large businesses and energy users. The organizations contend that the fees will make rooftop solar less cost-effective and will discourage its customers from investing in solar installations. 

Nevadans will have a chance to dramatically increase the amount of renewable energy in the state with choice of Question 6, which will appear on the state’s November ballot. The measure would require electric utilities in the state to source 50 percent of their electricity from renewable resources by 2030 and is one of two referendums on the ballot that would change the electric market in the state. 

A new solar cell developed at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) has reached 22.4 percent efficiency, more than doubling the previous record for a dual-layer perovskite and copper, indium, gallium and selenide (CIGS) cell. Making it as efficient as some of the most efficient silicon-based solar cells on the market. 

As the US heads towards fall this Labor Day, solar has been working hard. A new study showed that across New England rooftop solar saved utility customers $30 million over just one week. Meanwhile in California and Colorado efforts to grow renewable energy got significant boosts.

In just one week this summer, July 1 to July 7, distributed solar power reduced peak energy demand across several New England states, including New York, saving all customers $30 million in electric costs. The results of a new study show how rooftop solar is helping to reduce the cost of electricity not just for those with solar, but also those without.

Thanks to an initial, $5 million commitment from Wells Fargo, Grid Alternatives and the bank have launched a new Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund to support solar energy projects and create job opportunities on tribal lands. The investment expands existing efforts from both Wells Fargo and Grid Alternatives. 

California is moving towards 100 percent clean energy with the passage of state Senate Bill 100 (SB100). The groundbreaking legislation would move the state toward 100 percent carbon-free electric generation by 2045 and boost its renewable energy portfolio to 60 percent by 2030. The bill is now one step closer to Gov. Jerry Brown’s (D) desk for approval into law. 

Colorado will shutter 660 megawatts (MWs) of coal-fired power plants early and replace them with clean energy sources including solar, wind and energy storage becoming latest state to move from coal. The move is being made by the state’s largest utility, Xcel Energy, and is expected to save its customers in the state at least $213 million while ensuring the utility gets 55 percent of its energy from renewable resources by 2026. 

The LA Lakers became the latest pro sports team to power its facilities with renewable energy last week. Meanwhile the Trump Administration continued its push to make coal-fired power cheaper even as the lower costs of wind and solar power are pushing utilities to rethink their strategies for adding in new energy. 

The small tourist island of Ocean City, MD, will soon get a significant portion of its energy, about 20 percent, from a 10-megawatt solar farm being built about 10 miles away. The solar farm will power city facilities, helping to cut the city’s energy bills.