As the years pass, technologies that were once cutting-edge reach a critical mass of affordability that leads to widespread adoption throughout the market. Solar energy technologies are reaching such a critical mass of affordability and widespread adoption: Every rooftop and parking lot in America is now potentially a site for generating cheap, clean, and renewable energy. Read more here

A new study published in the journal Renewable Energy uses data from the state of California to demonstrate that no blackouts occurred when wind-water-solar electricity supply exceeded 100% of demand on the state’s main grid for a record 98 of 116 days from late winter to early summer 2024 for an average (maximum) of 4.84 (10.1) hours per day. Read more here.

The six residents in the UK city of Exeter will pay nothing for energy, courtesy of green tech that makes homes eligible for the Octopus Energy initiative. Octopus Energy and SNG customers have become the first social housing residents to move into homes with no energy bills for at least five years. Read more here.

Maine Files Energy Storage Procurement Recommendations

The Maine Governors Energy Office (GEO) was directed by the state legislature to consult with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to evaluate the increase of capacity for utility-scale energy storage systems. The states policy sets a goal to procure cost-effective energy storage and diversify its energy resources. The storage will help manage electric load and provide backup power to the grid during peak usage or outages. The Maine Energy Storage Program report evaluates multiple program design options, including pay-for-performance mechanisms, clean peak credits, tolling agreements, and an index storage credit mechanism. The GEO has recommended for the PUC to implement upfront, pay-for-performance competitive procurement programs for 200 megawatts of energy storage to reach its goal of 300 megawatts of installed capacity by the end of 2025 and 400 megawatts by the end of 2030. Read more here.