06.07 Good Clean Energy News

Maine's $2.9M Solar Boost
Western Maine's community solar gets a $2.9M boost from the U.S. Department of Energy. Locally-owned cooperatives will reduce energy costs for low to moderate-income households and promote job opportunities through the Rural Cooperative Development Training Program and University of Maine internships.
Read more: Community solar development in western Maine gets $2.9 million boost

Nexamp Raises $520M for Community Solar
Nexamp raised $520 million to build community solar projects across the U.S. This initiative allows renters and small businesses to benefit from solar energy without installing panels. Subscribers pay a fee and receive credits to lower their utility bills. The funding will develop gigawatts of solar capacity, democratizing access to affordable, clean energy.
Read more: Company raises over $500M to build clean power plants for communities that can't afford rooftop solar: 'One of the largest capital raises to date'

Northern Utah Projects Get $500K for Energy Savings
The USDA granted over $500,000 to Cache and Rich counties for renewable energy projects. Three projects include solar arrays for a bar, RV park, and insurance company, aiming to save significant energy costs annually. These initiatives, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, help rural businesses cut costs and invest in clean energy.
Northern Utah projects receive over $500,000 in federal funding to reduce energy costs

Biden’s Investments Support Rural Health Centers
Biden's climate policies are funding solar installations at federally funded health centers, ensuring care during power outages. With new tax credits, centers like CrescentCare in Illinois can maintain operations during disasters, saving lives and reducing costs. The CHARGE Partnership aims to install solar panels at 175 clinics in the rural Southeast, enhancing resilience and cutting greenhouse emissions.

Read more: Biden’s green investments aren’t just benefiting cities - Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Thermal Cell Hits Record Efficiency
A new thermophotovoltaic cell developed at the University of Michigan converts heat to electricity with a record efficiency of 44%. This surpasses the average steam turbine's 35% efficiency, offering a promising solution for grid-scale renewable energy storage. The technology captures infrared photons, potentially reaching even higher efficiencies in future developments.
Read more: Thermal power cell harvests electricity from heat at record efficiency

Minnesota Leads in Clean Energy Transition
In 2023, 54% of Minnesota's electricity came from clean energy sources. This marks the fourth consecutive year Minnesota has exceeded 50% clean energy. The state aims for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040, highlighting a successful shift from coal to affordable, clean energy, benefiting both the environment and electricity bills.
Read more: New report reveals surprising power sources making up almost one-third of Minnesota's energy supply: 'The rest of the country is taking notice'

$25M to Cut Home Energy Bills
The DOE announced $25 million in funding for 13 projects under the Weatherization Assistance Program. These projects aim to lower energy costs for low-income households through energy-saving repairs, renewable energy installations, and workforce development. This initiative supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 goal, ensuring 40% of benefits flow to climate-impacted communities.
Read more: $25 Million to Lower Home Energy Bills for American Families

Sources

Carter, N. (2024, May 17). Community solar development in western Maine gets $2.9 million boost. Advertiser Democrat. https://www.sunjournal.com/2024/05/15/community-solar-development-in-western-maine-gets-a-2-9m-boost/

Sattler, L. (2024, May 16). Company raises over $500M to build clean power plants for communities that can't afford rooftop solar: 'One of the largest capital raises to date'. The Cool Down. https://www.thecooldown.com/green-business/community-solar-projects-nexamp-funding/

n/a. (2024, May 13). Northern Utah projects receive over $500,000 in federal funding to reduce energy costs. Utah Business. https://www.utahbusiness.com/northern-utah-projects-federal-funding/

n/a. (2024, May 12). Biden’s green investments aren’t just benefiting cities. Hawaii Tribune Herald. https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/05/12/opinion/bidens-green-investments-arent-just-benefiting-cities/

Sattler, L. (2024, May 28). New report reveals surprising power sources making up almost one-third of Minnesota's energy supply: 'The rest of the country is taking notice'. The Cool Down. https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/minnesota-clean-energy-report-renewable/

US Department of Energy. (2024, May 27). $25 Million to Lower Home Energy Bills for American Families. CleanTechnica. https://cleantechnica.com/2024/05/25/25-million-to-lower-home-energy-bills-for-american-families/

Irving, M. (2024, May 27). Thermal power cell harvests electricity from heat at record efficiency. New Atlas. https://newatlas.com/energy/heat-battery-record-efficiency-grid-scale-energy-storage/