Focus
States sue Trump administration for blocking the development of wind energy
Associated Press – May 5
Attorneys general from 17 states, including California, and Washington, D.C., are challenging an executive order President Donald Trump signed during his first day in office, pausing approvals, permits, and loans for all wind energy projects both onshore and offshore. In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Massachusetts on May 5, the plaintiffs allege that Trump doesn’t have the authority to unilaterally shut down the permitting process, and that he’s jeopardizing development of a power source critical to the states’ economic vitality, energy mix, public health, and climate goals. A White House spokesperson said the plaintiffs are “using lawfare to stop the president’s popular energy agenda,” instead of working with him to unleash American energy and lower prices for families.
News
Bill to slash rooftop solar incentives weakened by Assembly committee
Los Angeles Times – April 30
The Assembly Utilities & Energy Committee on April 30 voted to amend a proposed bill to end solar credits for 2 million owners of rooftop solar systems, saying it would apply only to those who sold their homes. Assembly Bill 942, introduced by Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier), targeted long-standing programs that provide energy credits to Californians who installed solar panels before April 15, 2025. As originally drafted, the bill would have limited the current program’s benefits to 10 years — half of the 20-year period the state had told rooftop owners they would receive. The committee nixed that provision, leaving another that would cancel the program for those selling their homes. With the amendment, the bill passed 10 to 5, sending it on to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Farmers are making bank harvesting a new crop: Solar energy
Canary Media – May 5
According to a new study published in Nature Sustainability, the practice of agrisolar has been quite lucrative for farmers in California’s Central Valley over the last 25 years — and for the environment. Researchers looked at producers who had idled land and installed solar, using the electricity to run equipment like water pumps and selling the excess power to utilities. On average, that energy savings and revenue added up to $124,000 per hectare (about 2.5 acres) each year, 25 times the value of using the land to grow crops.
Projects
EDP Renewables brings second phase of California solar farm online
Power Magazine – May 6
EDP Renewables North America has inaugurated the company’s 200 MW Scarlet II Solar Energy Park in Fresno County. Scarlet II follows EDPR NA’s Scarlet I Solar Energy Park—a 20 MW solar farm with a 40 MW/160 MWh battery energy storage system, which achieved commercial operation in 2024.
Renewable Properties breaks ground on 17 MW California community solar + storage portfolio
Solar Power World – May 5
Renewable Properties has broken ground on three new solar projects in Ukiah and in Fresno County. Scheduled for completion in 2025, the projects will deliver over 17 MW of clean, renewable power to customers through programs offered by Sonoma Clean Power and Pacific Gas and Electric.
Microsoft to buy RECs from 300 MW solar portfolio of Nexamp
Renewables Now – May 6
Nexamp plans to build 300 MW of photovoltaic parks across the U.S. to serve Microsoft Corp. Under a long-term agreement, Microsoft will purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) from a portfolio consisting of roughly 100 new distributed solar projects. The capacity will be developed, built, and operated by Nexamp across five independent system operator regions, including New England, New York, Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, and Western states.
Cypress Creek Renewables closes $150 million financing for 104 MW Washington solar project
PV-Tech – May 6
Cypress Creek Renewables has secured $150 million in financing to advance the construction of its 104 MW Ostrea Solar project in Yakima County, Washington. The financing round was led by MUFG Bank, with participation from BNP Paribas, DNB Bank ASA, and Santander.
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