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The solar industry is divided over a petition filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Commerce by an alliance of solar manufacturers seeking new antidumping and countervailing duties on certain solar cell imports. Opponents of the petition are concerned that it could create instability in the solar market. The petition asks for duties on crystalline silicon solar cells imported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The petitioners argue that there is evidence of injury to the domestic industry, while opponents claim that the case is about cornering the market. The decision on whether the case moves forward will be made by the ITC on June 10. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has extended the applicability of the domestic content bonus credit to include hydropower and pumped hydropower storage facilities, as well as altering the definition for qualifying solar projects. The guidance also introduces a new safe harbor provision that allows project developers to calculate the domestic cost percentage using classifications and cost percentages provided by the IRS, rather than relying on data from manufacturers. The IRS is seeking input on the guidance modification and is asking for suggestions on other technologies that should be addressed and how cost percentages should be allocated for a mix of foreign and domestic components. The solar industry has expressed appreciation for the added clarity and certainty provided by the guidance. [Extracted from the article]

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a transmission planning and cost allocation reform rule that is being praised by clean energy groups. The rule is expected to have a positive impact on future renewable energy projects, as it requires transmission planners to consider factors like the changing resource mix over at least 20 years. However, some groups believe that more reforms are needed, particularly in the integration of new resources and enabling more transmission between regions. The rule also requires transmission operators to consider economic and reliability benefits when considering transmission projects. [Extracted from the article]

According to a quarterly market report by the American Clean Power Association (ACP), the US utility-scale solar, wind, and storage sectors added a total of 5,585 MW in the first quarter of 2024, representing a 28% increase compared to the previous year. Utility-scale solar contributed the most to this added capacity, reaching a milestone of 100 GW deployed. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) also reported that solar energy will drive most of the forecasted growth in US electricity generation this year, with utility-scale solar contributing almost 60% of the increase. Wind and hydropower will also contribute to this growth, although wind generation declined in 2023 for the first time since the 1990s. The first quarter of 2024 saw a record quarter for offshore wind deployments, with the sector's project pipeline growing by 31% year-over-year. While energy storage deployments remained flat compared to the previous year, the significant increase in the sector's pipeline for new projects indicates strong future growth. [Extracted from the article]

Louisiana is in a unique position to support the US offshore wind industry due to its existing oil and gas production infrastructure and workforce, according to a report by consulting firm Xodus Group. The report recommends that the state's legislature establish a procurement process and deployment goals for offshore wind and position itself as a manufacturing hub for large steel components. The report also highlights the job potential and the opportunity for economic development in the state. However, the report notes that Louisiana's regulatory landscape for offshore wind needs improvement. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. Department of the Interior has proposed offshore wind energy auctions in the Gulf of Maine and offshore Oregon, with a total capacity of up to 18 GW. The Gulf of Maine sale includes eight lease areas offshore Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, while the Oregon sale includes one lease each in the Coos Bay and Brookings Wind Energy Areas. New Jersey has also announced its fourth offshore wind solicitation, seeking between 1.2 GW and 4 GW of capacity. These auctions are part of the Interior Department's plan to host up to 12 offshore wind lease sales through 2028. However, the deeper waters in the Gulf of Maine and offshore Oregon present a challenge as they require floating offshore wind equipment. The proposed sale notice for the Gulf of Maine areas includes options for bidders to receive credits by committing funding to floating wind workforce training programs or the development of a domestic supply chain for the floating offshore wind industry. The Sierra Club has praised these developments as significant progress in the energy transition, while the CEO of the Oceantic Network sees them as opportunities to strengthen regional supply chains and drive the creation of a floating offshore wind supply chain on the East Coast. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS have issued final rules for the tax credit transferability mechanism included in the Inflation Reduction Act. This mechanism allows businesses to transfer clean energy tax credits to a third party in exchange for tax-free cash, enabling businesses to take advantage of tax incentives if they do not have sufficient tax liability. The final guidance provides clarity and expands the reach of clean energy tax credits, attracting more diverse participants into the market. However, the clean energy industry is still awaiting final guidance on other IRA provisions. [Extracted from the article]

The Department of Energy (DOE) has released a report on the progress of the US offshore wind industry towards full-scale commercialization. The report states that the industry is at an "inflection point" and poised for "liftoff," but has not yet achieved it. The DOE outlines three phases for full-scale commercialization, with the first phase on track for liftoff and the second phase underway. The report also addresses the market turbulence in the sector, including the cancellation and delay of several projects in 2023. The DOE emphasizes the importance of infrastructure planning and supply chain expansion for the success of the industry. The report concludes by highlighting the lessons learned from the challenges faced in recent years and the ongoing efforts to refine project procurement and foster regional collaboration. The DOE has also announced plans to fund projects that address various needs for offshore wind, including academic leadership, research and development, supply chain expansion, and wildlife protection. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced plans for up to twelve offshore wind lease sales through 2028. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will host these sales in various locations, including the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, and waters offshore U.S. territories. The goal is to provide confidence and predictability for developers and communities. The Interior Department has already approved eight commercial-scale offshore wind projects, but recently faced setbacks due to project cancellations. The department aims to meet a goal of deploying 30 GW of offshore wind by 2030. [Extracted from the article]

An alliance of seven U.S. solar manufacturers has filed a petition asking for import tariffs to be imposed on crystalline silicon solar cells from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The manufacturers claim that these imports have led to a collapse in global solar panel prices and are harming the domestic solar component industry. However, clean energy groups have criticized the petition, warning that it could create market uncertainty and pose a potential threat to the domestic solar supply chain. The petition comes just before the end of a moratorium on new tariffs related to a Department of Commerce investigation into five solar companies. [Extracted from the article]

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a ten-point action plan for the state's clean energy industry after the cancellation of three offshore wind projects. The plan includes a request for information for the upcoming fifth offshore wind solicitation and a $300 million request for proposals for offshore wind supply chain investments. The canceled projects represented a potential loss of 4 GW in offshore wind deployment. Despite the cancellations, stakeholders remain confident in New York's offshore wind market and its commitment to clean energy goals. [Extracted from the article]

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has announced that it will not be moving forward with three offshore wind projects due to "material modifications" to the projects, including GE Vernova's decision to abandon an 18-MW turbine model. The canceled projects, totaling 4 GW of capacity, are Attentive Energy One, Community Offshore Wind, and Excelsior Wind. This setback hinders New York's goal of deploying 9 GW of offshore wind by 2035. The U.S. offshore wind industry has been recovering from economic challenges in 2023, and panelists at a recent summit discussed the need to standardize and industrialize supply chains and products to meet ambitious goals. [Extracted from the article]

Offshore wind developers in the U.S. are seeking ways to manage risk and derisk projects earlier after a challenging year in 2023. Derisked projects are more attractive to bank lenders and private equity firms. Recent offshore wind deals involved derisked projects, which allowed for cost recovery and protection against construction overruns. Ørsted Americas CEO, David Hardy, stated that the company is confident about its existing portfolio of U.S. offshore wind projects and is exploring strategies for derisking future development. State policies are also adapting to acknowledge the financial challenges faced by offshore wind projects. New York and Connecticut have implemented more developer-friendly terms in their offshore wind solicitations. However, California faces additional complications due to deep waters, requiring innovations in floating wind technology. [Extracted from the article]

Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company and Georgia's main utility, has received approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission to add 1,400 MW of new gas and oil-fired generation. The utility filed the update with the commission in response to the state's growing energy needs. Environmental groups have criticized the decision, expressing concerns about the continued reliance on fossil fuels and potential rate increases for customers. The approved plan also includes commitments to investigate distributed energy resources, grid-enhancing technologies, and a solar and battery pilot program. [Extracted from the article]

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), a Danish investment firm, has acquired Liberty Renewables, a portfolio of 1.3 GW of onshore wind projects in development in New York. The acquisition was made through CIP's fifth flagship fund, CI V, which has raised over 10 billion in capital commitments for renewable energy investments. The projects in the portfolio are scheduled to start construction between 2026 and 2030. CIP's Head of North America, Tim Evans, stated that onshore wind will be crucial for New York to achieve its renewable energy goals. [Extracted from the article]

A report from Columbia University's Sabin Center for Climate Change Law debunks 33 misconceptions about wind energy, solar energy, and electric vehicles. The authors used peer-reviewed academic literature and government publications to refute claims found in social media groups and websites opposing renewable energy. The report highlights the affordability, reliability, and environmental benefits of clean energy projects. It addresses claims such as the toxicity of solar panels, the impact of offshore wind development on marine life, the cost of solar energy compared to fossil fuels, the availability of mineral resources for solar development, and the safety of wind turbines. [Extracted from the article]

The Massachusetts Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting has recommended that the state expedite the approval process for clean energy projects by implementing changes to the siting process. The commission suggests consolidating permits and establishing deadlines for permit decisions. They also propose legislation that would require the Energy Facilities Siting Board to issue a single consolidated permit for larger clean energy infrastructure projects and make a decision on permit eligibility within six to 15 months. Additionally, the commission recommends that smaller projects be issued a single consolidated permit by municipalities. The report also suggests the creation of a Division of Energy Siting and Permitting within the state's Department of Energy Resources to support the local permitting process. [Extracted from the article]

Ørsted, Avangrid, SouthCoast Wind, and Vineyard Offshore have submitted bids to a joint offshore wind solicitation from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. This is the first-ever tri-state bidding process for offshore wind in the U.S. The solicitation sought up to 6,800 MW of offshore wind, and the proposals will be evaluated over the coming months. The companies have proposed various projects, including Vineyard Wind 2, Starboard Wind, and New England Wind 1 and 2. The decision on whether to move forward with power purchase agreements will be announced in the third quarter of this year. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved the 924-MW Sunrise Wind project offshore New York. Ørsted and Eversource Energy, the project owners, have made a final investment decision on the project. The developers are now awaiting final approval on the construction and operation plan from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The Biden administration has approved a total of seven offshore wind projects with over 8 GW of capacity, in line with President Biden's goal of deploying 30 GW of U.S. offshore wind generation by 2030. The Sunrise Wind project will have fewer wind turbine generators than originally proposed in order to accommodate geotechnical feasibility, reduce impacts to benthic habitat and Atlantic cod, and meet the energy needs of New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The project is estimated to become operational in 2026. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. Department of Treasury has issued guidance on what qualifies as an "energy community" under the Inflation Reduction Act. Developers of projects located in energy communities can receive additional tax bonuses, including a 10% increase for the Investment Tax Credit and the Production Tax Credit. The guidance also expands the nameplate capacity attribution rule for offshore wind facilities to include additional property owned by the facility's owner and located in eligible project ports. The three areas that can qualify as energy communities include census tracts where coal mines closed or coal-fired electric generating units were retired, areas with significant employment or local tax revenue from fossil fuels and higher-than-average unemployment, and brownfield sites. The new guidance addresses issues raised by stakeholders and includes additional metropolitan statistical areas and non-MSAs that qualify as energy communities. The American Council on Renewable Energy has praised the guidance, particularly the expansion of eligibility for offshore wind projects. [Extracted from the article]

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) plans to hold its second offshore wind auction in the Gulf of Mexico, offering four lease areas totaling 410,060 acres offshore Louisiana and Texas. The first auction in the Gulf of Mexico received a less enthusiastic response compared to similar auctions in the Northeast U.S., with only one lease area receiving a bid. Despite this, BOEM remains committed to offshore wind development in the region, citing the existing energy infrastructure, workforce, and business expertise in offshore operations as advantages. The Gulf Coast is already a significant contributor to the U.S. offshore wind industry, with Gulf Coast contractors making up 26% of the supply chain. [Extracted from the article]

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing to consider President Joe Biden's three nominees to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Senators questioned the nominees on their views regarding FERC's role, fuel neutrality, and fair cost allocation for transmission projects. The nominees emphasized their commitment to following the authority granted by Congress and ensuring grid reliability. They also discussed the importance of interregional transmission and the allocation of transmission costs. The confirmation process is urgent as one of FERC's seats expires in June. [Extracted from the article]

The South Fork Wind project, a joint venture between Eversource and Ørsted, has completed construction and is now delivering power to the Long Island grid. This marks the first utility-scale offshore wind farm to be completed in the United States. The project is part of New York's goal to deploy 9 GW of offshore wind by 2035. Additionally, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has designated a two million acre wind energy area in the Gulf of Maine and has announced plans for an environmental impact statement for the proposed Atlantic Shores North project offshore New Jersey. [Extracted from the article]

A study from Argonne National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has identified around 1,800 sites in Alaska that are suitable for hosting pumped storage hydropower plants. These plants could help bolster the state's grid, especially in isolated communities that rely on smaller power systems. The total energy storage capacity across all potential sites is approximately 4 TWh. The researchers found that pumped storage hydropower sites were part of the optimal capacity expansion solution for the Railbelt system, which currently relies on natural gas for around 80% of its generation. The study suggests that Alaska could deploy modular pumped storage hydropower to reduce costs and address the high construction and transportation costs experienced by communities in the state. [Extracted from the article]

First Solar CEO Mark Widmar has warned the Senate Finance Committee about the potential collapse of solar cell and module pricing due to China's subsidization and dumping strategy. He urged senators to advocate for changes to the tax code to restrict the ability of Chinese solar companies to benefit from tax incentives. Widmar highlighted China's strategy of completing initial stages of solar panel manufacturing domestically and final assembly in Southeast Asian countries, which has led to an oversupply of modules in the US. Legislation is currently being considered to prevent certain countries, including China, from benefiting from tax credits. [Extracted from the article]

According to the American Clean Power Association's 2023 annual market report, energy storage installations nearly doubled last year, reaching a cumulative capacity of around 16 GW. Solar-plus-storage accounted for 95% of the 11 GW of new hybrid capacity added in 2023, setting a new record in the hybrid space. Solar developers also deployed a record 32 GW of capacity, marking the first time the industry exceeded 30 GW of installations in a single year. The report highlights the increasing popularity of hybrid projects, driven by federal tax credits. However, the lack of new transmission infrastructure poses a threat to the future of the clean energy industry in the U.S. [Extracted from the article]

Colleges in and around New Orleans are developing wind energy programs to meet the growing demand for skilled workers in the offshore wind industry. These programs aim to attract both young students and experienced workers from the oil and gas sector who are seeking new opportunities. The University of New Orleans and Nunez Community College have partnered with companies like RWE and Energy Innovation AS to create wind energy curricula that adhere to global training standards. Louisiana has set a goal to deploy 5 GW of offshore wind by 2035, and colleges are working to train students for careers in this industry. [Extracted from the article]