Solar and Storage Industries Institute

Thank you to RE+ for hosting SI2 and so many other clean energy professionals for a great week working together to speed up the clean energy transition. Pictured: SI2 Executive Director David Gahl speaking during a panel on navigating nationwide siting and permitting regulations. 

ICYMI: SI2 released a new report detailing the findings of the Solar + Farms Survey. The survey found that over 70% of farmers are open to large-scale solar projects on their properties if system designs allow for continued agricultural production. Read more on it in The Wall Street Journal: https://lnkd.in/eMzDWYPF

NEW: SI2 is incredibly excited to release our newest report: “Understanding Barriers to Agrivoltaics: A Survey Approach.” This report details the findings from SI2’s Solar + Farms Survey which surveyed over 350 farmers, solar developers, and utilities on their experiences and attitudes towards agrivoltaics. The survey found that over 70% of farmers are open to large-scale solar projects on their properties if system designs allow for continued agricultural production "The research shows most farmers are interested in exploring solar, provided that they have enough information to make good business decisions and continue farming," said David Gahl, SI2 Executive Director. "With the survey complete, we will develop case studies on the factors that influence project economics and outcomes in agrivoltaics projects, helping solar developers and farmers overcome the ongoing challenges they face."  You can read the full report here: ssii.org/farms-project 

To meet America's growing energy needs, we must improve interconnection — the process of connecting new, large-scale energy resources – including #CleanEnergy – to the power grid. In an effort to shed light on innovative ways to improve this process, today we are launching #InterconnectionWeek.   As the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) prepares to kick off its two-day workshop focused on generation interconnection reform (9/10 - 9/11), throughout this week, we plan to highlight 4️⃣ specific reforms needed to deliver cost savings & improved reliability for customers.     These reforms stem from a new report published by United & the Solar and Storage Industries Institute, authored by Grid Strategies LLC and The Brattle Group, that outlines how we can efficiently connect new generation to the grid and unlock America’s energy.    FERC’s workshop is a welcome and important opportunity to build upon the progress made by Order No. 2023. We look forward to this week’s discussions about how we can accelerate the integration of new energy projects, reduce costs, & enhance grid reliability.     Read more: https://lnkd.in/egHEwZGe 

To address the high-voltage equipment supply chain bottleneck, we are proposing a collective procurement program. This should help speed up construction of upgrades to our transmission grid, improving reliability and helping bring new generation online more quickly. #interconnection

SI2 is growing and hiring for two key roles in our organization. We currently have two job openings available: a grants and contracts manager and a senior communications manager. Learn more about both roles below and come join a great team! https://lnkd.in/eaUYBuX7 https://lnkd.in/eNcuruzN   

Agrivoltaics is growing in the state of Massachusetts. BlueWave recently announced five new projects that incorporate the company’s dual-use solar design and operate under the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program. These projects will add 19.8 MWDC of generation and 29.7 MWh of storage to the power grid. Read more in Solar Power World: https://lnkd.in/gu2V_8N5 

Do you agree with our four recommended reforms to interconnect new generation more efficiently in the United States? Download our new paper with The Brattle Group to learn more: https://lnkd.in/egV4s4ZE     This report was co-commissioned by Advanced Energy United and the Solar and Storage Industries Institute, with endorsement from the Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA). 

Today, The Brattle Group and Grid Strategies LLC released a new report, Unlocking America’s Energy: How to Efficiently Connect New Generation to the Grid. The report co-commissioned by SI2 and Advanced Energy United offers important solutions to current interconnection delays and a roadmap to lowering consumer costs while adding new sources of electricity to the grid. "FERC Order No. 2023 made improvements to what is required of grid operators. However, additional structural changes to how new energy projects get connected to the power grid are needed now” said David Gahl, Executive Director of the Solar and Storage Industries Institute, which co-commissioned the report. “Adopting an ‘entry fee’ model that assigns transmission system upgrade costs commensurate with generator benefits to provide more up-front certainty about grid connection capability is a critical reform.”  Read more about the report here: https://lnkd.in/eGDrGSSt 

RE+ 24 is quickly approaching. SI2 is very excited to head to Anaheim in a few weeks where we’ll be presenting results from the Solar + Farms Survey, moderating discussions around solar siting and permitting, and releasing our analysis of utility load forecasts. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone there! https://lnkd.in/eyg_MKXE