REI’s new distribution center in Goodyear, AZ is part of the outdoor retail giant’s goal to achieve net-zero energy use thanks to its 2.2 megawatt (MW) rooftop system that offsets 100 percent of the center’s electricity needs. The project more than doubles the amount of solar power REI has on its buildings, which including the distribution center, is now up to 5.4 MWs across 25 locations in the US.

Home and commercial solar services provide Sungevity announced that its foundation,  sungevity.org, has raised more than $2 million to support more than 100 nonprofits, ranging from The Sierra Club the American Diabetes Association, Conservation Colorado and the California’s Westside Waldorf School—the first in its program. When the company launched the program in 2011 Helen Hunt, Ed Begley, Jr. and Ed O’Neil, were among its early supporters. 

The University of California system is now getting 60 megawatts (MWs) of solar power from the Five Points Solar Park. The Fresno County solar farm is supplying about 14 percent of the university system’s electricity needs. When the project reaches completion in 2017 it will supply 80 megawatts of solar power to the university system under a 25-year power-purchase agreement and is the largest solar purchase by a university system in the US.

Yesterday (Aug 17), Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) announced that Hecate Energy, LLC has received a permit to build the Cherrydale Project, a 20 megawatt (MW) utility-scale solar facility in Cape Charles. The 185-acre solar farm will generate enough energy to power over 3,000 households.

Consumers Energy is building its second large-scale solar power plant, a 1 megawatt solar farm, on 8.5 acres of Western Michigan University property. The new project is part Consumers Energy’s Solar Gardens program, which allows homeowners and renters to go solar without putting solar panels on their rooftop. 

A report released last week showcases how 10 US cities committed to 100 percent clean energy and how their decisions are creating local jobs, saving residents money and reducing pollution. It’s the first report out of The Sierra Club’s new Ready for 100 campaign, an effort to get 100 US cities to transition to 100 percent renewable energy.

A new study reveals that community solar projects have the potential to impact between 3 million and 12 million households across the country. However, participation among consumers may lack as community solar projects are built simply because they don’t know about the opportunity. In fact, the new report by the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) and the Shelton Group based on a survey shows that 59 percent of respondents are attracted to solar power but only 20 percent understand what community solar is. 

The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) released a request for proposals (RFP) to develop 16 megawatts (MWs) of community solar projects in Rochester, NY, to expand solar access to low and moderate income local residents. Rochester's ROCSPOT partnered with RMI to create the proposals and facilitate pre-development work as part of the non-profit’s mission to offer solar energy services to all residents by 2025. 

The 2016 American Solar Challenge title goes to the University of Michigan for the sixth time in a row. The team’s Aurum car completed the multi-day, 1,975 mile race on Aug. 6 in 48 hours, 26 minutes and 46 seconds more than 10 hours ahead of the nearest competitor Dunwoody University. 

Homeowners who want to save money on their electric bills by going solar have more financing options than ever. Now, a new partnership between solar financing provider Mosaic and investment firm Warburg Pincus, is helping to ensure such options remain. Last week Warburg invested $220 million in equity financing, allowing Mosaic to continue offer home solar financing with no money down and fixed interest rates.