Focus
Treasury releases final rules on Sec. 48 ITC
Solar Power World – December 5
The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service have released the final rules for the Sec. 48 Energy Credit – also known as the federal investment tax credit (ITC). For decades, the ITC has fueled U.S. clean energy development by providing a tax credit for investments in qualifying clean energy property – generally 30% of the cost of the project, although the level of the credit has varied over time and by technology. Although the final rules retain the core framework of the proposed rules and guidance Treasury and the IRS issued in November 2023, they clarify general rules for the ITC and its definitions of property eligible for the credit.
News
San Diego Board of Supervisors sidesteps new rules for battery projects amid fire concerns
The San Diego Union-Tribune – December 10
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on December 10 passed on the opportunity to establish interim safety requirements for battery energy storage projects, noting that county fire officials already have the authority to implement beefed-up guidelines. San Diego County Fire Chief Tony Mecham said he was fine with the board’s decision, especially since updates to statewide fire codes are coming in 2025.
A new way to fix grid bottlenecks for EV charging: flexible connection
Canary Media – December 10
At a Tesla high-speed EV charging site in California’s Central Valley, utility Pacific Gas & Electric has switched on a pilot project that could mark a major advance in getting big customers connected to stressed-out power grids. The Flex Connect project is based on a simple concept — let customers control how much power they use so that they don’t exceed what the grid can safely deliver from hour to hour.
Projects
Arevon powers up 384 MW/600 MWh California solar-plus-storage site
PV-Tech – December 10
Arevon has begun commercial operations at the 384 MW/600 MWh Eland 1 solar-plus-storage project in Kern County. A second phase of the project, Eland 2, is currently under construction and set to come online in Q1 2025. The two sites will have a combined 758 MW of solar PV and 300 MW/1.2 GWh of energy storage capacity.
Marine Corps microgrid adds new battery energy storage system
Microgrid Knowledge – December 10
After seven years of development, the microgrid at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar near San Diego has added a 1.5 MW/3.3 MWh battery energy storage system. In recent years, the Miramar microgrid has helped California utility San Diego Gas & Electric avoid several power emergencies. During times of peak demand, the microgrid is disconnected from the local power grid and put in island mode.
Dimension Energy completes 44 MW community solar project in California
SolarBuilder – December 9
Dimension Energy’s 44 MW community solar project in Inyokern, California, will generate $18 million in energy savings for residents and commercial subscribers. The project also reportedly represents the largest third-party-owned community solar project in the United States.
Federal government approves scaled-down Idaho wind farm near historic Japanese American incarceration site
Associated Press – December 6
The federal government last Friday approved a scaled-down wind farm in Idaho over local opposition, including from groups concerned about its proximity to a historic site where Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II. The Bureau of Land Management signed off on a final plan for the Lava Ridge Wind Project that decreases the number of wind turbines to 241 from 400 and imposes a maximum height of 660 feet.
Avantus inks PPA for 100 MW solar-plus-storage project in Arizona
Renewables Now – December 10
Avantus has secured a utility off-taker for its Kitt Solar project in Pinal County, Arizona, where it will construct a 100 MW/130 MW solar farm featuring 400 MWh of energy storage. The Kit Solar plant will serve Arizona Public Service under a power purchase agreement.
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