Read this well-written article by James Temple, the senior editor for energy at MIT’s Technology Review magazine on the impact of mandating ever more renewable power capacity.  California has more solar electricity than it can use.  Absent changes, the state won’t make its climate goals.  Among his recommendations: much more storage, demand-shifting, and better use of EVs (perhaps in lieu… Read more »

Nice to see when a compromise can be worked out.   Massachusetts’ plans to grow its solar and storage market for both residential and commercial users was in danger due to utility concerns on dispatch.   A working group of clean energy developers, state officials, and the utilities now has worked out a compromise.   If accepted by the MA Department of Public… Read more »

PowerOptions, a Birch Tree Capital client, has announced an expansion of its successful solar program with a partnership with SunPower.   Together, PowerOptions and SunPower will provide solar power and battery storage solutions to nonprofit and government institutions in New England.    Click here for more information.  Birch Tree Capital was pleased to assist PowerOptions in the vetting of potential solar program… Read more »

Greentech Media has a great article noting the duck curve flood of mid-day solar generation that’s roiled California’s electricity markets now is coming to Massachusetts.   PV Magazine’s Christian Roselund relays a New England ISO report that on April 21st, New England consumers used more grid electricity while they slept than at mid-day.  Speakers at the recent Energy Storage Association conference in… Read more »

A good day for map nerds:   The U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Department of Energy have published an on-line map of a database on every single wind turbine in the United States.   You can zoom in to see individual units in exacting detail — project name, capacity, manufacturer and the year it came online. The interactive site also shows… Read more »