Caroline Masters

Aspen Power's Kristy Zaragoza will be on GridTECH Connect Forum's upcoming panel: "Community solar: A California dream?" Expect an interesting discussion on the heels of the recent California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) decision to adopt a flawed community solar program. If you have questions or would like to connect in advance let us know! By siding with utilities, the CPUC has made a choice that not only undermines the interests of ratepayers but also poses a significant setback to California's ambitious climate goals. Distributed energy generation supports the equitable and sustainable growth of community solar initiatives, and our progress toward a cleaner and more resilient energy future. Learn more about the panel here: https://lnkd.in/eAw87QMP #GridTECH #Sustainability #Solar

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🌞 Update on CPUC’s Revised Decision on Community Solar 🌞 At SolSearch, we closely monitor policy changes that impact the solar energy sector. Recently, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a revised decision on community solar, prompting significant concern within the industry. Community solar projects are crucial for providing renewable energy to underserved communities and supporting California's clean energy goals. However, the CPUC’s new decision has raised apprehensions about the future viability and growth of these projects. For a detailed analysis, read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/exj5fATM #SolarEnergy #CommunitySolar #RenewableEnergy #SustainableFuture #EnergyPolicy #SolarJobs #SolSearch

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Don’t be fooled by Big Utilities. Uncontrolled utility spending and a lack of government oversight are why California's electricity costs are so high — not solar users. In fact, we need higher rooftop #solar and battery adoption to get utility spending under control and meet the state’s #climate goals. Watch this video to learn more about their uncontrolled spending and what you can do to stop it and keep California a solar energy leader! https://bit.ly/49BHpRQ

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Giant Batteries are delivering solar power after dark in California and helping to stabilize grids in other states 🔋This technology is expanding rapidly, and RethinkX predicted it! https://lnkd.in/g6334Vw5 According to this article: ☀️“Across the U.S, power companies are increasingly using giant batteries…to address renewable energy’s biggest weakness: the fact that the wind and sun aren’t always available.” ☀️"California now has 10,000 megawatts of battery capacity on the grid, enough to power 10 million homes for a few hours." ☀️“What’s happening in California is a glimpse of what could happen to other grids in the future,” said Helen Kou, head of U.S. power analysis at BloombergNEF, a research firm. “Batteries are quickly moving from these niche applications to shifting large amounts of renewable energy toward peak demand periods.” ☀️"Batteries are starting to eat into the market for fossil fuels. State regulators plan to nearly triple battery capacity by 2035." “The future is bright for energy storage,” said Andrés Gluski, chief executive of AES Corporation, one of the world’s largest power companies. “If you want more renewables on the grid, you need more batteries. It’s not going to work otherwise.” 🔋Since as early as 2014, Tony Seba, RethinkX Co-Founder, has accurately predicted the rise of lithium-ion batteries. 🚀Our 2020 Energy report explained the inevitable disruption and transformation of our energy systems by solar, wind and battery. ☀️Our regional analysis showed how 100% solar, wind and battery was possible in California, Texas and New England. These analyses have proven that 100% solar, wind and battery is possible anywhere on the planet. According to our 2020 analysis for California: ⚡️RethinkX's Clean Energy U-Curve for California showed a nonlinear tradeoff relationship between generation capacity and battery energy storage. ⚡️Using the Clean Energy U-Curve, our analysis showed that in California the lowest cost 100% SWB system combination of these technologies comprises 3.8x generation capacity with only 37 hours of battery energy storage for a total system capex of $115 billion. ⚡️This figure is much less expensive than most conventional analyses had claimed to this date. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gyu9Gaye Explore more RethinkX predictions: https://lnkd.in/gM_dig6y Learn more about the Clean Energy U-Curve: https://lnkd.in/g26aiYgq

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California is changing the traditional approach of solar and batteries technologies, turning them from potential grid threats into assets. The state's new interconnection rules prioritize flexibility, allowing solar and battery systems to actively support the grid by modulating power output based on demand. With the integration of solar and battery resources to support the grid, the infrastructure for #EVcharging will become more resilient and efficient. https://hubs.ly/Q02scYFQ0

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✅ The transition from a net energy metering (NEM) policy to a net billing tariff (NBT) structure is reshaping the solar industry, particularly in California. ✅ While customers may initially have less financial incentive due to this transition, it has prompted a significant increase in battery energy storage inclusion which can offer substantial advantages including backup power and storage for high demand periods. ✅ Despite fears of a downturn, solar installations remain consistent, and there has been a surge in consolidation, implying a stronger, more robust solar market. Discover how California's shift to a new solar market structure has unexpectedly spotlighted the benefits of integrating battery storage with solar panels, defying initial fears and not only sustaining, but strengthening the solar industry with a surprising boost in battery energy storage inclusion. Explore the evolving dynamics of solar installations, the shift in customer financing, and how these changes have resulted in an increase in ownership rates. Plus, you'll learn about market consolidation: the top five solar installers now control 51% of the market under NBT. Even amidst policy changes, the solar industry continues to innovate and provide opportunities for homeowners to capitalize on clean, renewable energy. For more information on selling solar virtually across the USA visit www.tstpros.com 🌞🔋🌎

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☀️↗️“This will open up opportunities for distributed energy resources to be designed in a way that aligns with grid needs.” Sky Stanfield with Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) The Golden State is receiving just the renewables boost it needs! California legislators approved new interconnection rules that empower solar and solar + storage projects to be much more of a help than a hazard to the state’s grid. This “Limited Generation Profile option” will help usher in more solar. Read about it! 📕https://lnkd.in/eu2aC587 #PoweringTheEnergyTransformation #communitysolar #commercialsolar #asset-acquisition

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I’m going off a little half-cocked here (but CA entrapment in Net Energy Metering is always the quicksand you’re standing on). “The Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) proposed a new tariff—Net Value Billing Tariff (NVBT)—that takes a page from New York’s value of distributed energy resources (VDER). Proponents of this approach say it’s an accurate economic measure because it considers multiple value streams produced by distributed energy — including costs DERs may avert. In California, for example, the tariff considers such benefits as avoiding the need for transmission lines and reducing environmental harm.” - emphasis - “costs DERs may avert” You can’t “avert” costs that have already been spent … yes you may improve capacity headroom but that is of little value. The only - long term - guaranteed “aversion” is if there was/is complete disconnection. Australia is so much better off as our networks are structurally separated and regulated (by the Australian Energy Regulator).

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For the second year in a row, Sunrun is demonstrating how uniquely capable, reliable and readily available its #solar + #storage systems are as an essential grid solution. #BatteryStorage #AlternativeEnergy #EmergingMarkets

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A new report from The Brattle Group, prepared for GridLab, finds that California’s market potential for virtual power plants (VPPs) could hit 7.5 GW by 2035! That would exceed 15% of peak demand. The strategy would include automated demand response for large commercial buildings and industrial facilities. Other report findings: - VPPs can reduce risks associated with interconnection delays. - VPPs can scale flexibly as demand grows. How can we ensure this potential is reached, in California and across the nation? Maplewell's cutting-edge JANiiT platform can help, with automated, predictive energy management + distributed energy storage to unlock grid flexibility! #energystorage #virtualpowerplants #renewableenergy #energymanagement

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As the U.S. continues to expand clean energy deployment across the country, ensuring that clean power can connect to the grid is absolutely vital. SI2’s recently released white paper outlines comprehensive solutions for how regulators and policymakers can reform the current transmission and interconnection system in order to rapidly deploy clean energy. Read more from the Washington Post on how interconnection bottlenecks continue to hinder clean energy deployment across the country https://lnkd.in/e4j8G5uk

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Free SCE Webinar: Energy Storage Basics, June 28, 10am -12pm PT: https://buff.ly/3yRjzoo @SCE #ESS #energystorage #energy #renewableenergy #cleanenergy #batteries #solar #buildings #greenbuilding #electrification #infrastructure #utilities #electricity #decarbonization #EVs #free

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Free SCE Webinar: Energy Storage Basics, June 28, 10am -12pm PT: https://buff.ly/3yRjzoo @SCE #ESS #energystorage #energy #renewableenergy #cleanenergy #batteries #solar #buildings #electricity #greenbuilding #infrastructure #utilities #electrification #decarbonization #EVs #free

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🚨 CPUC’s Decision on Community Solar: A Setback 🚨 The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has sided with the utilities they regulate, reshaping the community solar landscape and raising concerns in the renewable energy industry. 🔍 Key Points: In a 3-1 vote, CPUC adopted changes to the Green Access Program tariffs, moving away from a community solar model that aimed to increase access to clean energy for low-income Californians. This decision could undermine years of progress and limit clean energy benefits to those who need it most. 🌟 Aspen Power’s Take: Aspen Power sees this decision as a setback. The original community solar approach sought to democratize clean energy access and support California’s climate goals. We believe that the new direction favors utilities over equitable clean energy distribution. 🚀 Moving Forward: We call on Governor Newsom and state leaders to reassess this decision to ensure a sustainable and inclusive energy future. Let’s work together to make community solar thrive and deliver affordable, clean energy for all Californians. #CleanEnergy #CommunitySolar #CPUC #EnergyEquity #AspenPower

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Statement from Solar and Storage Industry Regarding Introduction of Fixed Charges on California Electric Bills The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved regulations mandating new monthly fixed charges on electricity bills for residents. Those eligible for the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs will face $6 and $12 monthly charges, respectively, while all other customers will pay $24.15 monthly. Stephanie Doyle, California state affairs director for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA),said, “While the final charges are lower than what investor-owned utilities wanted, these are still new costs coming out of the pockets of California families that are already struggling with the high cost of living in […] Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/dyzbs7YZ #solarenergy #alternativeenergy #solarpv #pvsolar #photovoltaic #cleanenergy #cleantech #climatechange #middleeast #africa #india #asiapacific #asia #america #california #northamerica #renewableenergy #renewableenergy #seia #solarenergy #unitedstates

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Important update from California: The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has implemented new monthly fixed charges on electricity bills. While the charges are lower than initially proposed, they still impact California residents. Stephanie Doyle from Solar Energy Industries Association emphasizes the need for careful consideration regarding the impact on #rooftopsolar, #storage adoption, and #electrification measures crucial for climate goals. Amidst concerns, SEIA remains committed to advocating for policies that address high utility rates and promote sustainable energy solutions. Stay informed as we navigate these changes together. 💡🔋 #california #energypolicy #renewableenergy #climateaction

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