Stretching 900 miles along the West Coast, California has a wide variety of beautiful sceneries. Ranging from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to its famous cliff-lined shores, the Golden State boasts the largest economy in the nation and an energy demand second only to Texas. California understands the role solar energy plays in meeting its energy demand and is very innovative and forward-thinking with its solar policies. In fact, California is one of the leading states in the nation when it comes to renewable energy. Its Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires that 50% of electricity production must come from renewable energy by 2030, ranking California 3rd amongst states with the highest RPS. Policies like the RPS are vital to lowering energy costs and incentivize consumers and utilities to contribute to solar energy production.
Over the past five years, the price for solar installations in California has declined by 64%.
California holds 1st place for state with the most solar jobs. There are over 86,000 people supporting themselves and their families thanks to the solar industry.
On March 4th, 2018, the peak percentage of solar energy on California’s grid hit an all-time record of 50%.
There is enough solar in California to power over 5.5 million homes.
Senate Bill 617 – Residential Solar Energy Systems: Permitting
Requires every city and county to implement an online, automated permitting platform that verifies code compliance and instantaneously issues permits for a solar energy system and an energy storage system meeting certain requirements paired with a solar energy system, as specified. Requires a city or county to amend a certain ordinance to authorize a residential solar energy system and an energy storage system to use the platform. Prescribes a compliance schedule for satisfying these requirements.
California Becomes First State to Require Solar on Almost All New Homes
A new building standard approved by all five members of the California Energy Commission states that most new units built after Jan. 1, 2020 will be required to include solar systems. This move represents the state’s latest initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Although a boost for the solar industry, critics warn that it will also drive up the cost of buying a home by nearly $10,000.
Sunny California Generates ‘Too Much’ Solar
California is cooling down for a bit in the solar industry. In January, February, and March of this year, California produced so much solar that it paid Arizona to take excess electricity to avoid overloading its own power lines. Since the overproduction, the Golden State has taken a step back from major solar production and powered down many panels.
Solar Power Nonprofit Installs 9,800 New Systems in California
GRID Alternatives, a solar power nonprofit, is celebrating the 9,800 California solar power systems installed for low-income families. It is estimated that the systems will save families roughly $280 million in energy costs over a 20-year period. With its first installation in 2004, GRID has accomplished this feat in just 14 years. GRID is hoping to move its solar project to states surrounding California soon.
With airports being among the largest sources of emissions, CEA Mid-Atlantic Executive Director Mike Butler examines how the Pittsburgh International Airport is utilizing natural gas, solar, and microgrid technology to reduce emissions in Allegheny County.
Just as inventive, the authority executed a novel plan to drill natural gas wells on the airport campus that could eventually supply airplane fuel and other uses while raising money for the airport’s renovation. It also pairs that natural gas with solar in a first-of-its-kind airport microgrid, which uses solar when the weather conditions are right, and falls back on natural gas when needed.
‘Standard Solar’ Finishes Solar Project in New Mexico
A new 9.8-MW solar farm is up and running in Gallup, New Mexico. Standard Solar Inc. finished the project on July 31, 2018 and will own and operate the facility built on city-owned land. The solar farm is expected to mean nearly 10% of the city’s energy needs. The almost 30,000 panel system will save Gallup $785,000 in the first eight years of operation, according to the announcement.
It’s been all but accepted now that our nation’s energy mix will evolve from relying completely on traditional sources of fuel to incorporating more renewables and cleaner energy sources. What’s little known, and maybe even surprising, is that we can accelerate that shift to a lower-carbon future by pairing solar and wind with natural gas and even oil. This immediate solution helps states not only achieve parity but meet net-zero goals quicker.
It’s already well underway with much of the activity focusing on using solar energy to run natural gas compressors for utilities, which work like engines or boosters, pushing natural gas to where it must go to heat homes and businesses.
Last October in New Jersey, Enbridge began integrating solar power with Texas Eastern Transmission’s natural gas pipeline operations. Solar energy powers the compressor station behind the meter, enabling the pipeline to supply natural gas to homes and businesses.
The same company also began a similar project in November 2020 in Tyrone Township, Pennsylvania to help power the compressor units that keep gas flowing along its cross-continent Texas Eastern Transmission pipeline.
In New Mexico, natural gas operator EOG Resources has been using solar arrays since November 2020 to operate compressors throughout the southern part of the state that normally would rely on natural gas.
Williams Companies, another large pipeline operator, is planning several utility-scale solar projects to power its natural gas transmission and processing operations.
Occidental Petroleum has a 16-megawatt solar farm in the Permian Basin that is the first such solar project to power oil and gas operations directly in Texas.
Solar-powered air compressors are also being used by energy producers to drill for oil and natural gas in remote locations.
The objective, of course, is to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions (GHGs) – the primary emissions that contribute to climate change. The two solar facilities operated by Enbridge are estimated to reduce such pollution by nearly 131,700 metric tons over their 25-year lives. That’s equal to taking over nearly 28,500 cars off the road. EOG Resources estimates its New Mexico facility will cut carbon dioxide emissions by 5,000 metric tons annually. On our way to net-zero and other low-carbon objectives, these pairings are significant.
For utilities, the natural gas and solar mix offer a persuasive example of how different energy sources can work together to ensure electric customers across the country have access to affordable, reliable, on-demand power that individuals, families, and businesses require to meet their needs. Besides reducing pollution, the arrangement helps save on operating costs which is not only good for the company but for consumers too.
To be sure, it will take decades for renewables and battery storage technology to replace traditional fuels completely – especially the amount cities and to fuel and electrify cities. The share of traditional fuels in the energy mix globally was 80.2% in 2019 and was basically unchanged through 2021. While oil demand decreased, both natural gas and coal increased. This percentage is practically unchanged from the 80.3% seen in 2009. Most of the growth of these fuels occurred in developing non-OECD economies.
Source: BP Statistical Review of World Energy
Wind and solar comprised 11.2% of the energy mix in 2019 versus 8.7% in 2009, according to a report from REN21, a think tank that focuses on renewable energy policy.
Still, to make progress on curbing greenhouse gas emissions to calm climate change, any mix of traditional fuels and renewables seems a welcome development. While some mistakenly might scoff at the continued buildout and use of infrastructure like pipelines, they will be necessary now and into the future, with natural gas predicted to be the dominant energy source in 2050 – even increasing in use by 50% according to some estimates as it replaces coal on the global market.
Having access to various pieces of energy infrastructure, especially working in tandem, not only helps to ensure we have the energy we need now but in the future. We have a vast array of pipelines in service that can start boosting this cleaner transition today and ensure we can hit those net-zero emissions targets tomorrow. Consider it a down payment to reliably meet the shared future we all want.
Utah families and businesses are thriving because we make pro-business decisions that are innovative – and it’s time to do it again!
The Utah Public Service Commission is working with electric companies and solar providers on a new approach to install more solar and build a better grid. This proposal will keep our electricity costs low, our bills fair, and allow solar to power more homes and businesses.
We need your help!
Show your support for families and businesses – tell the Public Service Commission that you want an innovative solar policy that will increase solar usage for everyone in Utah.
Dear Commissioners:
Our state’s families, small businesses, community centers, libraries, and schools thrive due to the state’s innovative, pro-business policies and inexpensive energy. When problems come up, we innovate and find a solution that works for everyone – which is why I support PacifiCorp’s proposal.
Solar energy is an important part of our state’s electricity future, and we need to find the most innovative way to incorporate it into our grid so that both solar energy and the grid are set up for long-term success in the decades to come. If this occurs, Utah’s families and businesses win. This new proposal seems to be a balanced approach to integrating solar into our state’s energy plan while allowing everyone who lives here to see the clean, renewable benefits it brings.
Again, I encourage you to support PacifiCorp’s proposal because it promotes more solar power, keeps the electric grid strong, and gives families, small businesses, and communities’ access to the affordable electricity rates that they depend on.
Respectfully,
