News Roundup: Microsoft Invests in Solar in Virginia, New Legislation Says Solar is in Public Interest, U.S. Mayors Call for Solar Investment
Tech giant Microsoft announces massive purchase of solar power in Virginia.
Microsoft will purchase 315 megawatts (MW) of energy from two new solar facilities in Virginia, it said recently. The tech giant will buy energy from the Pleinmont I and II sites in what it described as “the single largest corporate purchase of solar energy ever in the United States.” The Pleinmont developments are part of a bigger 500 MW project owned and operated by sPower, an AES and AIMCo business. When operational, Pleinmont I and II will have over 750,000 solar panels covering more than 2,000 acres. Read the full story here.
Virginia legislation opens door to over 5 GW of renewable energy.Recently passed legislation in Virginia shifts the renewable energy landscape by finding 5.5 GW of solar and wind energy are in the public interest and expediting the state’s renewable energy project regulatory approval process. Known as Senate Bill 966, the legislation includes provisions for energy efficiency and energy storage, in addition to wind and solar. The law also ends a utility rate freeze that has been in effect since 2015. The 5.5 GW of renewable energy in Virginia is not a mandatory target or procurement but serves as a regulatory greenlight for achieving that volume. Read the full story here.
180 US mayors call for use of solar energy in updated letter.A bipartisan group of 180 mayors from across the U.S. have called for increased solar energy usage in an updated letter released Tuesday by Environment America. The first version of the letter, signed by 70 mayors, was released in December. A focus on renewable energy has become top-priority across the U.S., as dozens of cities have committed to getting 100% of their power from renewables. And while committing to increased solar usage is a significant step forward for these 180 cities, tangible actions will need to be taken for such cities to reach their goals. Read the full story here.
3 Things You [Probably] Didn’t Know About Solar Energy.The solar industry has come a long way since it began in the 1970s. The way Americans are creating and harnessing solar energy is changing rapidly. In fact, the use of solar energy has grown nearly 20 percent per year over the past 15 years. Still, some preconceived notions about solar energy exist to this day. Here are four things you probably didn’t know about solar energy:
1. It’s affordable
2. It’s accessible
3. It benefits your community and environment, too