Blessed with an abundance of sun, California is trying to figure out how to deal with a glut of solar energy.
In 2016, enough solar generated electricity to power 45,000 homes was lost in California because there wasn't concurrent demand for it. David Danelski reports in the Daily Breeze (via the Press-Enterprise) that solar power generated during the middle of the day often will go unused because the power demand from consumers doesn't pick up until the evening. The loss in 2016 was double what was lost the year previous, and the losses could be worse in the future as the use of solar panel systems continues to increase. State officials are looking at several solutions to reduce the waste, including the use of batteries to store the energy, trading power to abutting states, and incentivizing consumers to put timers on their dishwashers, pool pumps and other home systems, to run during the hours when power is at its cheapest.
FULL STORY: Here’s how California ended up with too much solar power
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Under a proposed 25-year solar contact, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power would pay record-cheap prices for 400 megawatts of power. But the utility declined to approve the deal after a utility workers' union raised concerns.
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Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
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A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
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Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
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