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Electrek green energy brief: EPA forced to halt research, America supports green energy, price of electricity going up up up and more!

15kW of Off Grid Solar Power

EPA told to halt research grants – Yesterday, I provided you with data from a respected source – the US Energy Information Agency. The information was the amount of CO2 released when we make a single kWh from natural gas or coal, or burn a gallon of gasoline. That research and the online tools used to distribute it was provided via your and my tax dollars. That research creates value for companies across much of the US business world. The EPA and the EIA are eventually going to be forced to remove knowledge from the public domain. Limiting public domain knowledge will limit our species ability to evolve on this planet.

Pew shows 2x as many Americans support alternative energy over fossil, including two thirds of moderate Republicans – It’s interesting to see solar power cover such broad political bases, cleaner energy almost as much as solar. In Georgia – the politics of the Tea Party and the Green Party came together to push solar power. President George W. Bush first signed off on the Federal Investment Tax Credit for solar power. Annually, and a bipartisan Congress pushed it to be re-signed every year (it expired annually in those days). Now, we see a small group of energy-focused lobbyists in control of Trump’s cabinet we ought expect to see this happening on many levels in the country.

Massachusetts Senator submits bill for 100% renewables by 2035 – With Massachusetts having some of the highest electricity rates in the nation, a dense and high population, and strong progressive values this should come as no surprise. Every source is now pushing for a 7-10% rate increase that includes $100M for battery storage. This along with the state’s strongest in the national solar return on investment and upcoming wind volume sets it apart. Of course, California is a global trend setter – but Massachusetts isn’t far behind.

Solar battery demand to surge in Australia as energy prices soar – I mostly know about electricity prices in the USA and I expect them to increase – the EIA predicts a 40% increase in the price of natural gas in 2017-2018. My home state utility requested a 7-10% price increase for 2017. Florida’s Gulf Power wants to increase the standard fee 150% for 450,000 customers. All the while these prices are going up – price of solar power is falling.

200MW solar plant built on lake fish farm – Just like solar power can be built over low sunlight crops, in regular grass fields where it can be managed by grazers, above cars in parking lots – now we now see solar power built in a manner to allow fish to thrive underneath. These dual-use solar power installations are going to catch on because they add extra revenue to preexisting investments. If the roof of your home (parking lot, field, lake, etc) adds thousands of dollars a year – why not do it?

Lots of solar manufacturing equipment orders – Manz AG secures largest equipment order in the history of the company valued at $282M, Amtech grabs $60M in orders from end of September through today, and Meyer Burger lands three companies. All of these equipment orders will have a much larger effect than simply the original purchase – these are machines that will make solar power cells for years on end. They will add to the 117GW of total solar manufacturing capacity we have available today. Rock on!

Tweet of the Day – Parcels identified for wind power development along the Eastern Seaboard:

Second Tweet of the Day – Elon, please keep up the hard work with this guy – push him, let him know about the money and the jobs –

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