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Rutgers University-New Brunswick's Cook campus is set to revolutionize sustainable farming with the introduction of a vertical solar system on its experimental farm. This innovative project, aimed at exploring the intersection of agriculture and renewable energy, seeks to unlock the potential benefits of agrivoltaics in densely populated regions like New Jersey. As part of the Dual-Use Solar Energy Pilot Program overseen by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), Rutgers is leading the charge in integrating solar panels into traditional farming landscapes. The vertical solar racking system, a first in the northeastern U.S., features ZnShine bifacial panels with a capacity of 170 kWDC. Its strategic design minimizes disruptions to farming operations while maximizing electricity production during peak hours. The project holds significant implications for sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. By combining solar energy generation with farming practices, researchers aim to optimize land use efficiency and minimize environmental impact. Moreover, the installation serves as a platform for studying the symbiotic relationship between agriculture and solar energy. Researchers will closely monitor grazing patterns, crop growth, and animal behavior to assess the impact of agrivoltaics on forage production and agricultural sustainability. In addition, the project emphasizes animal welfare with the installation of shelters, drinking facilities, and a handling chute, highlighting Rutgers' holistic approach to sustainable agriculture. This pioneering initiative underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in addressing pressing environmental challenges. With ongoing support from the NJBPU and collaboration with agricultural stakeholders, Rutgers is poised to lead the way in advancing agrivoltaics research and implementation. As New Jersey continues its commitment to renewable energy initiatives, projects like Rutgers' vertical solar system exemplify the potential for sustainable farming practices to shape the future of agriculture and energy production. By harnessing the power of the sun while cultivating the land, Rutgers sets a precedent for sustainable innovation in agriculture nationwide.

In a significant milestone for renewable energy, solar generation in Texas exceeded coal for the first time ever in March 2024. According to data from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), solar energy contributed 3.26 million MWh to the grid, surpassing coal's output of 2.96 million MWh. This achievement marks a pivotal moment in Texas's energy landscape, with coal's market share dropping below 10% for the first time. The rise of solar energy in Texas has been steady, with solar generation reaching just 0.6% of ERCOT's demand in 2017 but climbing to over 10% in March 2024 alone. The growth trajectory is expected to continue, with ERCOT data indicating an expansion of solar capacity by almost one-third by the end of 2024 and further growth projected for 2025. Conversely, coal's share in ERCOT has been on a downward trend, falling from over 30% in 2017 to below 15% in recent years. This decline underscores the shifting dynamics in Texas's energy mix, with coal's diminishing presence reflecting broader trends in the energy transition. The implications of these developments extend beyond Texas, as the state has historically been one of the largest consumers of coal for power generation in the United States. Coal's decreasing market share in Texas mirrors national trends, with its share of national electric generation dropping below 15% in March 2024, reaching record lows on some days. The transition to renewable energy, exemplified by solar's ascent and coal's decline, highlights the transformative changes underway in the energy sector. As Texas embraces cleaner and more sustainable sources of power, the state sets an example for others to follow in the transition towards a greener future.

Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) has successfully completed its 200-MW Horizon Solar Project in Texas, as announced on April 5, 2024. The project, located near Pearsall in Frio County, commenced operation after construction efforts that began in 2022. Under a previously announced Renewable Energy Purchase Agreement (REPA), the Horizon Solar Project will supply renewable energy to Verizon. Over its operational lifespan, the Horizon Solar Project is projected to prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to powering 1.2 million Texan households. Additionally, the project is set to deliver significant benefits to the local community, including an estimated $30 million in tax payments to support county and school initiatives. During the construction phase, the project generated around 400 job opportunities. Omar Aboudaher, Senior Vice President of Development at LRE, expressed the company's satisfaction with completing another successful project. He credited the supportive community in Frio County for contributing to the project's success, highlighting their collaboration and hospitality throughout the process. LRE prioritizes environmental, social, and cultural considerations across all its projects. At the Horizon Solar Project, the company has implemented sustainable land management practices, such as sheep grazing for vegetation control, biodiversity management plans, and the planting of pollinator-friendly native plant species. These efforts not only enhance land productivity but also provide additional income for farmers and contribute to advancing the transition to clean energy.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), under the US Department of Energy, has introduced a groundbreaking online tool designed to gauge the expenses associated with constructing new closed-loop pumped storage hydropower (PSH) plants in the United States. Released on April 4, 2024, the tool empowers operators to fine-tune various system characteristics and factor in local geological conditions, labor costs, and inflation rates. Pumped storage hydropower stands out as a critical component in the quest for a clean energy future, with the potential to facilitate the substantial expansion required for achieving cleaner electricity grids. Daniel Inman, a researcher at NREL, highlighted the significance of PSH in addressing the escalating demand for energy storage solutions. Despite its importance, the construction of new pumped storage hydropower facilities has been relatively limited since the 1970s, primarily due to the considerable upfront investment required. Closed-loop PSH systems, which operate independently of natural waterways, are now the preferred choice for their environmental sustainability. NREL's innovative cost-estimation tool fills a crucial gap in the development of PSH projects, providing developers with essential insights into potential construction expenses. By offering more accurate cost projections, the tool aims to enhance capacity expansion modeling and facilitate informed decision-making in the renewable energy sector. This announcement follows NREL's recent release of a comprehensive solar data set covering regions in Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, further underscoring the institution's commitment to advancing renewable energy research and technology. Moreover, it aligns with global efforts to identify and leverage potential pumped storage hydropower sites, as demonstrated by a recent atlas published by researchers from the Australian National University. NREL's cost-estimation tool represents a significant step forward in the quest to unlock the full potential of pumped hydro storage, signaling a promising trajectory towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

The Distributed Renewable Integration and Vehicle Electrification (DRIVE) Act (H.B. 1256) was passed by the Maryland General Assembly on April 2 and is now poised to modernize the state’s energy management and grid preparedness. Advanced Energy United, a national business association representing over 100 businesses including transmission developers, electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and charging infrastructure providers, gave written testimony in support of the legislation to the House Economic Matters Committee earlier this month. “The DRIVE Act shows that Maryland is serious about getting its electric grid ready for an electrified future,” said Nick Bibby, Maryland State Lead for Advanced Energy United. “This legislation will help residents and businesses tap into the unique capabilities of clean energy resources and electric vehicles to lower energy costs and support the resiliency of the electric grid.” At the heart of the DRIVE Act is a provision that creates a first-of-its-kind bidirectional EV charging program, which could make Maryland a national leader in harnessing the energy provided by EV batteries. The program would require the Public Service Commission to put forward new regulations by May 2025, aimed at allowing EVs to not only draw power from the grid, but also supply electricity back, effectively turning EVs into mobile energy storage units. The law would make Maryland the first state in the nation to require electric utility companies to allow these ‘vehicle-to-grid’ systems to interconnect to the state’s electric distribution network. The law also requires electric utility companies to implement pilot programs that pay the owners of EVs with bidirectional charging for helping to bolster grid reliability, incentivizing the development and deployment of technologies that contribute to grid support and efficiency. Additionally, the DRIVE Act would allow for the creation of virtual power plants (VPPs). VPPs are networks of small energy-producing or energy storage devices, such as EVs, heat pumps and solar and energy storage systems, that can be pooled together to inject power into the grid at peak times, further increasing Maryland’s energy resiliency. “This program will not only support EV adoption, but it will also improve grid flexibility and resilience, a key consideration as EV usage continues to rise,” added Bibby. “Thank you to the General Assembly for its continuing work to prepare Maryland’s grid for an EV future.” The legislation also expands use of “time of use” electric rates, letting Maryland residents charge EVs during off-peak hours (when electricity demand across the grid is less), reducing strain on the grid and lowering costs for customers. The DRIVE Act now heads to Gov. Wes Moore’s desk for signature.

Retail giant Walmart has announced its strategic investment in 19 solar projects currently under development across the United States, with a focus on 15 community solar projects. This investment underscores Walmart's commitment to renewable energy and sustainability initiatives. The projects, located in Illinois, Colorado, Maryland, Delaware, and California, will be funded through Walmart's tax equity investment. Tax equity investors, such as Walmart in this case, provide funding to leverage tax benefits and receive cash flows from the project, thereby becoming partial owners of the project company. Partnering with Colorado-based renewable energy provider Pivot Energy, Walmart's investment will facilitate the construction, operation, and maintenance of 72 megawatts (MW) of community solar projects. Notably, 41 MW of these projects in Colorado will specifically cater to low and moderate-income households. Pivot Energy plans to implement innovative agrivoltaic practices on select community solar projects, including drip irrigation for crop production between solar array rows, sheep grazing, and habitat enhancement. These initiatives align with Walmart's broader sustainability goals and aim to maximize environmental benefits. Scheduled for completion between 2024 and 2025, the community solar projects will enable approximately 7,000 households to access community solar subscriptions, translating to over $6 million in potential annual savings for subscribers. Walmart's commitment to renewable energy extends beyond community solar, with plans to unlock up to 2 gigawatts (GW) of new community solar projects and enable up to 10 GW of new onsite and offsite clean energy projects by 2030. These efforts demonstrate Walmart's dedication to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainability in the communities it serves.

Exciting news for renewable energy enthusiasts! The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have unveiled procedural guidance for the 2024 program year of the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program under Section 48(e) of the Internal Revenue Code. What’s more, the program is set to open for applications during the second quarter of 2024. The program, established through the Inflation Reduction Act, offers a 10 or 20% bonus to the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for qualified small solar or wind facilities in low-income communities, on Indian land, as part of affordable housing developments, and benefitting low-income households. In its inaugural year, the program garnered immense interest, receiving over 46,000 applications within the first 30 days from communities nationwide. With such robust demand, the government is poised to unlock an additional 1.8 GW of capacity this year. U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, Wally Adeyemo, remarked, “These investments are creating jobs and lowering energy costs in communities that have long been held back by lack of investment, as well as providing new opportunities for small businesses in these communities to benefit from the growth of the clean energy economy.” Allocating capacity through a competitive application process, the program aims to distribute resources equitably across four categories of qualified solar or wind facilities. These include facilities in low-income communities, on Indian lands, part of federally subsidized residential buildings, and those benefitting households with incomes below specified thresholds. For the 2024 program year, specific criteria will determine project selection, with at least 50% of the capacity in each category reserved for projects meeting defined ownership and geographic criteria. This initiative represents a significant step forward in promoting renewable energy adoption while addressing socioeconomic disparities. Stay tuned for updates as the application process unfolds.

In a bid to revolutionize connectivity within its electric vehicles (EVs) and Optimus robot, Tesla is delving into the realm of "private 5G" infrastructure. Since its inception, Tesla has been at the forefront of integrating internet connectivity into its vehicles, enabling over-the-air software updates, connectivity features, and extensive data collection. While the company initially adopted 3G and later upgraded to 4G LTE, it's now set its sights on harnessing the power of 5G technology. The move towards private 5G was unveiled by Pat Ruelke, Lead Staff Engineer – IT Manufacturing Solutions Engineering at Tesla, through a job posting on LinkedIn. Ruelke's call for an "ace engineer" to spearhead the development of a seamless private 5G service underscores Tesla's commitment to pushing the boundaries of connectivity. The envisioned role involves orchestrating the integration of Tesla's vehicles, including the Model S, 3, X, Y, Cybertruck, and the Optimus robot, with a bespoke private 5G network infrastructure. Tesla's objective is clear: to deliver an unparalleled connectivity experience across its product lineup by leveraging the advantages of 5G technology. By significantly reducing latency and boosting data rates, Tesla aims to enhance the functionality and performance of its vehicles and robots. The mention of Tesla's own "private 5G network infrastructure" hints at the company's intention to establish a proprietary network within its manufacturing facilities, ensuring seamless communication between its products. While Tesla's foray into private 5G may initially focus on its manufacturing operations, the implications extend far beyond. With the capacity to connect to 5G networks, Tesla's products could potentially tap into public networks, paving the way for enhanced connectivity experiences for consumers. With 5G networks offering substantially lower latency compared to their 4G counterparts, Tesla is poised to unlock a new era of connectivity, redefining the automotive and robotics industries in the process.

In January 2024, the U.S. solar industry experienced robust growth, with solar accounting for 87.3% of new generating capacity, as reported by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This marked the industry's strongest January performance to date. Additionally, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) highlighted a 20.5% increase in combined utility-scale and small-scale solar compared to the previous year, contributing to a rise in solar's share of total U.S. electrical generation to 3.8%. Forecasts from both FERC and EIA indicate continued growth for solar and other renewables, with solar alone projected to expand by 76.1% between 2023 and 2025.

The Brimfield Community Unit School District (CUSD) in Illinois has committed to a pioneering initiative by partnering with Nexamp to host a 3-MW community solar tracking project, known as Jubilee Solar, on its school grounds. Through this visionary 20-year contract, the K-12 district anticipates annual savings exceeding $22,000, reinforcing its dedication to sustainability and community welfare. Situated adjacent to the high school baseball field, Jubilee Solar serves as a tangible embodiment of Brimfield CUSD's commitment to environmental stewardship and renewable energy integration. With a substantial 23% allocation of the project's capacity reserved for the district, alongside individual enrollment opportunities for local residents through Nexamp's community solar program, the initiative promises widespread benefits. Chad Jones, Superintendent of Schools at Brimfield, expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its multifaceted advantages, including cost savings, educational prospects, and leadership in sustainability. Leveraging the Illinois Shines Public Schools category, this endeavor underscores the potential for public institutions to spearhead community solar projects, fostering both economic and environmental resilience. Joe Fiori, Vice President of Business Development at Nexamp, underscored the significance of the Public Schools category, emphasizing its role in empowering educational institutions to optimize financial and educational benefits. With Nexamp's continued ownership and operation of the facility, this collaboration