Focus
Senate budget draft makes minor improvements but keeps major cuts to solar incentives
Solar Power World – June 17
Senator Mike Crapo released draft text of the Senate Finance Committee’s version of the budget reconciliation bill on June 16. The Senate draft budget includes positives for the large-scale solar market, such as amending “start-construction” and “placed-in-service” requirements for the ITC and PTC (48E/45Y). The House version required projects to start construction within 60 days of bill enactment and be placed in service before December 31, 2028, to receive credits, but now the Senate is proposing projects can start construction through the end of the year and be placed in service by the end of 2029 for full credit. While the Senate is sticking to an accelerated phase-out plan for solar and wind, it preserves credits for hydropower, nuclear, and geothermal.
News
California continues to promote clean energy transition despite federal backstepping on clean energy and hydrogen funding
Allen Matkins – June 18
The first quarter of 2025 has been marked by a turbulent transition between presidential administrations as indicated by regulatory course reversals, and clean energy regulations have been no exception. On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order entitled Unleashing American Energy, which instructed federal agencies to immediately pause disbursement of funds provided by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and to submit a report to the Director of the National Economic Council analyzing its consistency with the order, which included funds set aside for clean energy projects.
‘World’s largest’ energy storage site approved as part of California solar project
Power Magazine – June 13
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved the Darden Clean Energy Project, which the agency said is the first to be fast-tracked under the CEC’s Opt-In Certification program. The commission said the installation features 1,150 MW, or 4,600 kWh, of battery energy storage, along with a 1,150 MW solar array with about 3.1-million panels. The Opt-In Certification program, authorized under Assembly Bill 205, provides a consolidated state permitting option for eligible clean energy projects.
Projects
Avangrid switches on 57 MW Camino Solar in California
Solar Builder – June 16
Avangrid Inc. has achieved commercial operation at its Camino Solar project in Kern County. The 57 MW project, Avangrid’s seventh energy facility in California, is currently providing power to approximately 14,000 homes. The construction of the project, which consists of 105,000 solar panels, supported approximately 100 construction jobs, nearly all filled with local union workers.
Renewables firm Scale Microgrids banks $275M for projects across U.S.
Renewables Now – June 13
Scale Microgrids has secured $275 million in new project financing to support 140 MW of distributed generation projects, including microgrids, community-scale solar and storage, and battery installations. The fresh capital will be directed to projects spread across several states, including New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, and California.
Meta, XGS ink 150 MW geothermal deal in New Mexico
Data Center Dynamics – June 13
Meta has signed an agreement with enhanced geothermal energy firm XGS Energy to support the development and deployment of a 150 MW project in New Mexico. When operational, the project is expected to supply energy to the PNM electrical grid and power Meta’s data center portfolio across New Mexico.
Washington panel sets vote on solar project opposed by county and tribe
Capital Press – June 16
The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Commission (EFSEC) is scheduled to vote this month to recommend that Washington Governor Bob Ferguson permit a solar and battery installation on about 2,000 acres zoned for agriculture and rural homes in Klickitat County. The agreement prepared by EFSEC staff would allow California-based Cypress Creek Renewables, owned by Swedish investment firm EQT Infrastructure, to install solar panels capable of generating up to 160 MW.
Port Newark solar project now powers 50% of terminal
NJBiz – June 13
A major solar project at the East Coast’s busiest seaport is complete. The 7.2 MW installation at Port Newark Container Terminal now generates 50% of the terminal’s annual energy needs. Notably, 7.8 acres of elevated solar canopies generate that amount of solar energy, which altogether occupy just 1,500 square feet of ground space.
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