10.11 Good Clean Energy News
New Solar Factory in Alabama
First Solar has opened a $1.1 billion solar panel factory in Lawrence County, Alabama, producing 3.5 GW of solar modules. The new facility will support 800 jobs and is the company's first U.S. factory outside Ohio. This expansion boosts First Solar’s domestic manufacturing capacity to nearly 11 GW, playing a key role in advancing America’s clean energy goals.
Read more: First Solar opens 3.5-GW solar panel factory in Alabama
MetroLINK Receives $8M for Electric Ferry
MetroLINK in Rock Island County, Illinois has been awarded $8 million from the Federal Transit Administration to fund a battery-electric ferry, charging stations, and land improvements. The grant is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law aimed at improving ferry services nationwide. The electric ferry will help reduce emissions and improve transportation for the Quad Cities region.
Read more: MetroLINK receives $8 million for electric ferry
EPA Funds Clean Energy for Miccosukee Tribe
The Miccosukee Tribe has received a $15 million EPA grant to combat climate change. The funds will be used to replace gas and diesel vehicles, including school buses, with electric ones and to install solar panels. This initiative is expected to bring environmental, economic, and health benefits to the tribe, advancing their renewable energy goals.
Read more: Miccosukee Tribe lands $15 million EPA grant to combat climate change
Mainers Lead Home Electrification with Heat Pumps
Thanks to state incentives and the Inflation Reduction Act, Maine is installing heat pumps faster than any other state. With 100,000 installed by 2023, and a goal of 175,000 by 2027, heat pumps are replacing fossil fuels and wood as primary heat sources. This electrification is helping residents reduce carbon emissions while preparing for a cleaner energy grid.
Read more: Meet the Mainers at the Bleeding Edge of the Home Electrification Revolution | Sierra Club
U.S. Utility Solar Market Grows 34% in One Year
The U.S. utility-scale solar market has grown 34% since Q2 2023, with over 110,000 MW of installed solar capacity. In Q2 2024 alone, 7,369 MW were added. Developers aim to add over 40,000 MW by the end of 2024.
Read more: U.S. utility solar market has grown 34% since Q2 2023
Solar Set to Be Second-Largest U.S. Energy Source by 2027
Solar energy is growing rapidly in the U.S., making up 77% of new capacity in the first seven months of 2024. Aided by the Inflation Reduction Act, solar is on track to surpass coal and wind by 2027 to become the second-largest source of U.S. generating capacity, behind natural gas. With 89,971 MW of solar additions expected by 2027, solar and other renewables will account for 36.5% of U.S. utility-scale capacity.
Read more: Solar could soon become the second-largest source of U.S. generating capacity
Geothermal Bill Speeds Approval Process in U.S.
The U.S. House passed a bipartisan bill to fast-track geothermal energy projects. Sponsored by Reps. Michelle Steel (R-CA) and Susie Lee (D-NV), the bill reduces approval times for geothermal projects, especially in areas already explored. The legislation aims to boost clean energy development and now heads to the Senate for approval.
Read more: US bipartisan bill to expedite geothermal approval passes House deliberation
Sources
Pickerel, Kelly. First Solar opens 3.5-GW solar panel factory in Alabama. Solar Power World, 26 Sept. 2024, https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/09/first-solar-opens-3-5-gw-solar-panel-factory-in-alabama/.
Shimkus, Joshua. MetroLINK receives $8 million for electric ferry. The Dispatch Argus, 3 Oct. 2024, https://qconline.com/news/local/metrolink-receives-8-million-for-electric-ferry/article_6dbe0db6-79dc-11ef-9e4d-37fe77089482.html.
Staletovich, Jenny. Miccosukee Tribe lands $15 million EPA grant to combat climate change. WUSF NPR, 24 Sept. 2024, https://www.wusf.org/environment/2024-09-24/miccosukee-tribe-lands-15-million-epa-grant-combat-climate-change.
Sklar, Julia. Meet the Mainers at the Bleeding Edge of the Home Electrification Revolution. Sierra Magazine, 17 Sept. 2024, https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2024-3-fall/notes-here-there/meet-mainers-bleeding-edge-home-electrification-revolution?utm_medium=emaild.
Misbrener, Kelsey. U.S. utility solar market has grown 34% since Q2 2023. Solar Power World, 17 Sept. 2024, https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/09/u-s-utility-solar-market-has-grown-34-since-q2-2023/?utm_medium=email.
Misbrener, Kelsey. Solar could soon become the second-largest source of U.S. generating capacity. Solar Power World, 27 Sept. 2024, https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/09/solar-could-soon-become-second-largest-source-generating-capacity/?utm_medium=email.
Cariaga, Carlo. US bipartisan bill to expedite geothermal approval passes House deliberation. Think GeoEnergy, 28 Sep. 2024, https://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/us-bipartisan-bill-to-expedite-geothermal-approval-passes-house-deliberation/.
