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Solar power just had a really big year.
A report from the Solar Energy Industries Association and consulting group Wood Mackenzie last week counted 32.4 GW of new solar generating capacity installed last year, a more than 50% increase from the two years before.
As Grist noted, it’s the first time a renewable power source grew faster than other types of electricity since World War II, when hydropower surged. And when it comes to total gigawatts installed, two states led the pack: Texas with 6.5 GW of new solar, and California with 6.2 GW. Florida, Colorado, and Ohio rounded out the top five.
That’s a whole lot of new power ready to join the grid in those states and nationwide. But there’s a big problem: The U.S.’s current power lines can’t handle the growing electricity supply from new solar and wind projects. States Newsroom this week spotlighted how grid-enhancing technology could squeeze more clean electricity onto the power lines we already have, and make sure newly built solar panels don’t end up collecting dust.
More clean energy news
👀 A new climate crackdown: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approves new rules requiring public companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, but they exclude emissions that come from the use of their products. (Grist)
💰 Supercharging clean energy investment: For every dollar the Inflation Reduction Act put toward clean energy incentives, policy analysts say the private sector has matched $5.47, totaling nearly $750 billion in the first year after the law passed. (Grist)
🙈 LNG’s hidden risks: Liquified natural gas terminals don’t have to disclose what chemicals they use and what risks they pose to their neighbors, leaving nearby residents in the dark about the danger of potential accidents. (Floodlight)
⛄ Yep, it’s climate change: The continental U.S. experienced its warmest winter on record, and scientists say it was driven largely by climate change during which average temperatures throughout the Midwest and Northeast exceeded past averages by as much as 10°F. (Axios, New York Times)
🔌 Heat pumps stay winning: A recent study shows electric heat pumps reduce emissions compared to other heating systems, even when they run on fossil-fueled grid power. (Canary Media)
🏭 Coal plants’ lifeline: Several states consider giving regulators more power to step in when coal plants are slated for retirement, with sponsors of legislation contending coal is necessary as renewables expand and electric rates rise. (E&E News)
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