Breweries are going solar! This year 44 breweries competed in the second annual Brews from the Sun competition, with more than 13,000 people voting on their favorite breweries that are powered by solar. 

Across the US 2.7 gigawatts (GWs) of solar power was installed, making it the biggest first quarter for photovoltaics, ever, according to the Solar Market Insight Report from Wood Mackenzie and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Given the strong first quarter, the organizations now anticipate 25% growth over 2018, leading to an anticipated 13 GWs of new solar in the year. 

In 2018 the private sector invested more than $56.7 billion in renewable energy in the US and plans to invest in it more in 2019. That’s according to the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), which seeks to achieve a $1 trillion investment in renewable energy in the country by 2030. 

Rivian, which is now generating almost as much press as Tesla, and Free Solo climbing star Alex Honnold, will announce using its second-life batteries in a solar microgrid initiative with the Honnold Foundation. The first microgrid will be built in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico in 2020. 

New Jersey has unveiled its first draft for moving to 100% clean energy, joining a growing number of states that are committed to ending their use of fossil fuels. Under New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s (D) Executive Order 28, the state must reach the goal by 2050. 

Walmart is no stranger to solar power but for years it’s been purchasing power from large-scale solar projects and installing solar panels on its stores. But with the purchase of power from parts of 36 community solar gardens it will help ensure the projects are built and subscribed to by consumers as well. 

From low costs to expanding in to new markets, solar power in on the rise. Both Facebook and Anheuser-Busch (AB) announced last week that they’ll be fully renewably powered in the US by 2021. Colorado’s Governor also introduced a roadmap to 100% renewable energy powered by 2040. 

The US solar market is continuing to grow, with growth surging in states that didn’t used to be strongholds for it like Florida, Washington, and Rhode Island. In all, the country saw 7.3 gigawatts (GWs) of utility-scale solar come online in 2018, a 20.1% increase over 2017.

All of the domestic beer brands brewed by Anheuser-Busch in the US will be powered by wind and solar power by 2021, four years ahead of its planned 2025 renewable energy goal in the US. That’s thanks to a new, 222 megawatt solar farm being built in Pecos County, Texas. 

Michigan’s preserved farmlands were cleared to allow their use as commercial solar farms this week. While the farms will have to meet certain requirements before being allowed to serve as solar farms it potentially opens up 3.4 million acres of land for solar development in the state.