Matt Massarelli

Solar Power is poised to become the second-largest source of U.S. electricity generating capacity, according to a recent analysis by Solar Power World. This is despite ongoing challenges for solar development, including local opposition in many communities across Virginia and the nation, generating capacity. Key findings from Solar Power's analysis include: * Renewable Energy Surpasses 30% of Total Capacity: The mix of renewable energy sources now accounts for over 30% of total U.S. utility-scale electrical generating capacity. In the first seven months of 2024, renewables provided a quarter of the nation's electrical generation. * Solar Dominates New Capacity Additions: Solar has been the largest source of new generating capacity for eleven consecutive months (September 2023 - July 2024). In the first seven months of 2024, solar comprised 76.9% of all new generation capacity, with its additions 81.2% higher than during the same period in 2023. * Rapid Growth in Solar and Wind Capacity: The combined capacities of solar and wind now constitute 20.9% of the nation's total available installed utility-scale generating capacity. When including small-scale solar systems, this figure approaches 25%. Solar's Rising Share of Total Capacity: Solar now accounts for 9.1% of total available installed utility-scale generating capacity, surpassing hydropower (7.8%) and nuclear power (8.0%). * Projected Growth: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) forecasts "high probability" additions of 89,971 MW for solar between August 2024 and July 2027, nearly four times the projected additions for wind. * Future Projections: By August 1, 2027, solar is expected to account for 15% of the nation's installed utility-scale generating capacity, potentially surpassing both coal (13.2%) and wind (12.8%). * Small-Scale Solar Contribution: Small-scale solar (systems <1 MW) accounted for almost 30% of all solar generation and provided 2% of U.S. electricity supply in the first seven months of 2024. Steadily increasing solar energy production will be particularly important for Virginia to achieve its clean energy goals moving forward. The Virginia Clean Economy Act of 2020 (VCEA) mandates the Commonwealth’s two largest utilities, Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power, to transition to 100% renewable energy generation by 2045 and 2050, respectively. Many states have set similarly ambitious goals. In Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic, addressing challenges such as local opposition, grid integration, and energy storage will be essential if clean energy goals to be achieved. I've written about these local challenges extensively, with more to come. The industry's ability to overcome these hurdles, here and elsewhere, will influence the pace and extent of solar energy's inevitable ascent in the U.S. energy market moving forward. GreeneHurlocker Andy Brownstein Alexis Laundry Virginia Renewable Energy Alliance Chesapeake Solar & Storage Association #solarenergy #vcea

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As NERC's 2023 Long-Term Reliability Assessment highlights, the U.S. electric grid is nearing capacity due to rising demand, aging infrastructure, and the integration of renewable energy. At the same time, the global drive toward AI and its rapid adoption are adding further strain on power systems, as AI models require significant computational power, leading to increased energy consumption. However, emerging trends in low-energy, high-speed AI solutions could be a game changer. Innovations like energy-efficient hardware, neuromorphic computing, and edge AI are being developed globally to reduce the power footprint of AI systems. These advancements can help alleviate grid stress by making AI more sustainable, while still maintaining high-performance capabilities. Who are the top players in this space? Sustainability must be an overarching goal for business and policy. #AI #EnergyEfficiency #GridReliability #Sustainability #Innovation https://lnkd.in/eqZx6wMJ

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Don’t miss out on our upcoming renewable energy webinar!   There is still time to secure your spot.   Join Brad Nowak and Steve Romine as they provide insight on the background of the siting agreement legislation, developer obligations, the interplay between a siting agreement and substantial accord determination and land use application, and current approaches in structuring siting payments. Click the image below to learn more and register. #solarenergy #virginia #renewableenergy

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From our good friend & energy expert, Mark Mills: "Early in August, PJM, the grid administrator that manages electricity for a 13-state region that includes NJ, reported the results of its auction for supplying next year’s wholesale power: the bids came in nearly ten times as high as last year...a direct consequence of...NJ's...aggressive pursuit of an “energy transition” to renewables. https://lnkd.in/evJENuA4

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Cleanleaf Energy Secures O&M Contracts for 350 MW Solar Projects in Georgia and Pennsylvania Cleanleaf Energy, previously known as Borrego O&amp;M, has announced new agreements to provide operations and maintenance (O&amp;M) services for utility-scale solar projects totaling 350 MW in Georgia and Pennsylvania. These projects, owned by Heelstone Renewable Energy, include four sites in Georgia and one in Pennsylvania. Heelstone Renewable Energy, established in 2012 with initial projects in North Carolina, expanded into California by 2016. In 2019, Heelstone received an investment from Ares Infrastructure and Power to support its utility-scale solar projects across the United States. In January 2024, Qualitas Energy acquired Heelstone, which had a portfolio of 20 GW of solar and [&hellip;] Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/dft4yc6C #solarenergy #alternativeenergy #solarpv #pvsolar #photovoltaic #cleanenergy #cleantech #climatechange #middleeast #africa #india #asiapacific #asia #america #cleanleafenergy #northamerica #renewableenergy #solarprojects

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📈 On July 31, 2024, the PJM Interconnection announced that the cost of capacity for most of its utilities will increase from around $29/MW-Day to $270/MW-Day, or over 800%, on June 1, 2025. The increase is driven by power plant retirements and load growth, and will impact all customers within the PJM footprint. Corporations currently enrolled in demand response programs in PJM, which can lower their peak load contribution (PLC) for next June, will reduce the impact of the capacity cost increase on their energy bills. Please contact Trio at [email protected] to learn more about demand response options for your PJM facilities. ➡️ Read more about the incoming cost increase: https://bit.ly/4fCrvuK #PJM #EnergyOptimization #DemandResponse

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Interesting piece on CNN today, talking about the retiring XCel Sherco coal-fired power plant in Minnesota "repurposing" its interconnection point for the development of up to 710 MW of solar. This issue was highlighted in Order No. 2023 as a potential way to speed up interconnection, and it's nice to see it work in practice. Side note, I'm always endlessly entertained when nerdy energy issues make it into the mainstream media. Love seeing CNN talk about interconnection reform! https://lnkd.in/ecH_rF8j

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📣In this important pv magazine USA piece, our President W. Scott Buckley gives voice to the concerns of solar developers and manufacturers when considering the impact of protectionism brought by the American Tax Dollars for American Solar Manufacturing Act recently introduced in the Senate. He points to a worrying statistic: “If we only produce about 11 GW from U.S.-based, U.S.-owned companies, that means we will be 55 GW short of what we need if we limit ourselves to only U.S.-based, U.S.-owned companies.”   👀You don’t want to miss his insights. Take a look: https://lnkd.in/eh9eRp2y   #Deliveringacleanenergyfuture #solarpv #commercialsolar #communitysolar #ICYMI

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A very interesting report from ACORE, suggesting a regulatory tweak to PJM's tariff that would speed up the interconnection process for utility scale batteries which share interconnections with variable resources such as solar, apparently bringing it in line with how MISO and SPP handle the same situation. https://lnkd.in/eQSi9Wzi

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As energy policy evolves in the U.S. and the clean energy transition continues (and flourishes!), we will continue to see parallel federal, state, and local policies that will directly affect the new energy paradigm. Stay tuned! Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP

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🌐 As an industry, we are at a crucial turning point for utilities in managing storm response and preparedness. In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, CenterPoint Energy is leading the initiative to shape the future of grid resiliency. In response to Hurricane Beryl, CenterPoint CEO Jason Wells announced a comprehensive action plan to build the most resilient coastal grid and enhance hurricane preparedness. Key initiatives include significant resiliency investments, improved customer communications, and strengthened partnerships with emergency responders. CenterPoint is committed to better serving its community and regaining customer trust. 💪 Read the full article to learn more about these impactful changes: https://hubs.li/Q02J4K1F0 #AI #StormPreparedness #PredictiveModeling #UtilityManagement

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In case you missed it: The largest U.S. grid operator, PJM, recently held its annual power market auction, and the results are astonishing. The auction resulted in a price of $269.92 per megawatt-day for most of the PJM region, a significant increase from the $28.92 per megawatt-day price in the 2024/2025 auction. This 800% increase will have far-reaching effects across PJM's 13-state footprint, which includes the northeast part of Indiana. #energy #reliability #affordability #PJM #GridOperator https://lnkd.in/gv-75kfj

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Orrick advised @Microsoft on this landmark corporate PPA with Constellation Energy to power data centers with carbon free power generation. This milestone deal showcased Orrick's capabilities in renewable energy and technology. We have advised clients across APAC and globally on these kinds of innovative transactions - find out how #TeamOrrick can help your company meet the challenges of the energy transition. #TeamOrrick #EnergyTransition #Carbon #DataCenters

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The Southern Renewable Energy Association is seeking to hire a #CommunicationsDirector. Salary range is $110,000-$125,000. Work is #remote, but ideally residing near a state capital in the Southeast (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Tennessee). Check out the link for details! (Bonus points if you can figure out how to make our logo my Linkedin background (and still look good) :) Update: The "bonus points" have been claimed. #CleanEnergyJobs #RemoteJobs #GraphicDesign #WebsiteManagment #Communications #PublicRelations #Media #SocialMedia #Nonprofit #RenewableEnergy #Marketing #PressReleases #Newsletters #OpEds

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