House passes infrastructure bill with key solar, storage provisions
Washington, D.C.

The House of Representatives passed its big infrastructure bill to help rebuild the nation and combat climate change. Many solar and storage provisions are included in the bill, including SEIA’s specific COVID recovery policy goals of an extension of the solar ITC and a direct pay option. The bill now moves to the Senate.

House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis releases plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050
Washington, D.C.

At the end of June, members of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis unveiled a comprehensive plan to tackle the climate crisis that sets a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The plan also includes support for rapid deployment of solar and construction of new transmission infrastructure to deliver clean energy to homes.

IRENA report finds increased global renewable investment crucial for COVID recovery
The world

A report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) outlines how governments can align immediate economic stimulus needs with long-term decarbonization efforts by using targeted policy measures and public spending. The group found every million dollars invested in renewables would create three-times more jobs than in fossil fuels.

Environment America calls for 10 states to pass mandates for solar on new homes
Denver, Colorado

Environment America started a campaign calling on at least 10 states to follow California’s lead and require solar installations on all new-home builds. The group is pursuing states from coast to coast, including Texas, Michigan and Massachusetts. Environment America hopes to see these states introduce solar requirement bills within the next two years.

U.S. clean energy groups jointly commit to reaching majority renewable generation by 2030
The United States

The American solar, wind, hydropower and energy storage industries jointly committed to the goal of reaching at least 50% renewable generation in the U.S. by 2030. The groups have agreed to collaborate across the different renewable industries to achieve the milestone.

Massachusetts advocacy groups ask legislature to address inequity in solar policy
Boston, Massachusetts

A coalition of energy justice advocacy groups sent a letter to the Massachusetts legislature asking for bolder and more just solar policy. The two key policy requests from the coalition are to create a specific program to develop solar serving low-income, environmental justice and other disadvantaged communities, and to make a stronger commitment to solar in order to keep the state on track to a zero-carbon economy.

Center for Biological Diversity asks FERC to reject petition to put net metering under federal control
Washington, D.C.

The Center for Biological Diversity filed a brief urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reject a petition by the New England Ratepayers Association to put net metering under federal control. If accepted, the petition would harm the rooftop solar market and end states’ ability to enforce their own net-metering policies.

SACE expects Florida to claim No. 2 solar spot in 2021
Knoxville, Tennessee

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE)’s third annual ‘Solar in the Southeast’ report found projections for solar growth are significantly higher than last year’s forecast in some key Southeast markets. Florida’s solar capacity is expected to grow to the point of surpassing North Carolina as the second highest state in 2021.

California nonprofits urge state to consider community energy resilience as part of COVID-19 recovery plan
Sacramento, California

A coalition of 18 California nonprofit organizations sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom and other state leaders asking them to emphasize community energy resilience as part of state strategy to address COVID-19 recovery and prepare for future power shutoffs. The groups asked the state to leverage microgrids to serve critical facilities, among other resilience efforts.

Government groups work together to mitigate cybersecurity risks in solar development
Washington, D.C.

The National Association of State Energy Officials and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners have joined forces on a project to mitigate cybersecurity risks in solar energy development. The goal is to identify model solar-cybersecurity programs and actions for states to take in partnership with utilities and the solar industry.

Virginia solar supporter runs for governor
Richmond, Virginia

Virginia, the only state where a governor cannot serve two consecutive terms, will go to the polls to elect a governor to replace Ralph Northam in 2021. Jennifer McClellan, one of the legislators who led passage of the Virginia Clean Economy Act that set the state on a path to 100% renewables, is running to be the next governor.