Four Major U.S. Solar Players Commit to Purchase 7 GW of US-Made Solar Panels

New York State PSC approves 135-MW battery in Queens, NY; Tesla and PG&E to develop VPP using Tesla's distributed Powerwall batteries; Mainspring says its linear generator can run on both fossil fuels and 100% hydrogen or ammonia; Biden Admin teams w/11 NE states to coordinate offshore wind development; Wenatchee, Washington transit agency has been wirelessly charging 12 buses on 300 kW inductive chargers for three years, and plans to increase program w/11 more buses; Michigan battery startup, Our Next Energy working with BMW to demo its iX Electric SUV with mixed-chemistry battery tech offering 600 miles of range; Hanwha Solutions reopening shuttered REC silicone plant in WA state, to produce 16,000 metric tons annually; Four major US solar developers join forces and commit to purchase 7 GW of domestically made solar panels annually to build U.S. supply chain.

1) New York State regulators approve 135-MW battery (duration not spec’d) at the site of Astoria Generating Station, in Queens, just outside of Manhattan.

2) Tesla and Pacific Gas & Electric will develop virtual power plant using distributed Powerwall batteries, w/participants receiving $2/kWh. Tesla claims potential to aggregate up to 50,000 Powerwall systems in program.

3) Linear generator company Mainspring indicates its on-site gen technology can run on fossil fuels, but also on 100% hydrogen or ammonia, without any major alterations. No other engine can currently do that.

4) Biden administration launches formal partnership with 11 East Coast governors (but not Virginia), to bolster and coordinate offshore wind industry activities.

5) Wenatchee, Washington's Link Transit Agency has been wirelessly charging 12 buses for three years, w/charging system from Momentum Dynamics. Four 300-kW inductive charging stations allow the buses to charge during short layovers and operate 12 to 14 hours daily. 11 more buses to be added this year.

6) Michigan battery startup Our Next Energy (ONE) announces agreement w/BMW to demo its iX Electric SUV using ONE mixed-chemistry battery tech offering 600 miles of range. Prototype battery pack uses different chemistries for different purposes, while cutting lithium use by 20% and graphite by 60%.

7) Hanwha Solutions restarts shuttered REC silicone plant in WA State to make 16,000 metric tons annually, bringing supply chain back to U.S.

8) Four major US solar project developers ally and create U.S Solar Buyer Consortium, commit to purchasing 7 GW of domestically made solar panels annually, starting in 2024. AES, Clearway Energy Group, Cypress Creek, and D.E. Shaw Renewable Investment issue RFP for qualified, domestic manufacturers and long-term strategic partnership.