California's Power Grid Future Uncertain as Governor Newsom Puts Virtual Power Plant Program at Risk
California's power grid future hangs in the balance as Governor Gavin Newsom puts the state's virtual power plant program at risk. Meanwhile, the solar industry gears up for North America's largest trade show in Las Vegas, and Tesla unveils new battery solutions.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has proposed ending its solar module report due to the burden of collection and publishing outweighing its value. This decision comes as California's virtual power plant program, which helped prevent blackouts and reduce fossil fuel reliance, faces an uncertain future. Delayed decision-making and expiring funding have put the program's continuation in jeopardy.
Tesla has introduced the Megapack 3 and the Megablock, marking advancements in utility-scale battery deployment, scalability, and energy density. These innovations come as global utility-scale solar investment fell by 19% in 2024, led by China, Spain, Greece, and Brazil. Conversely, EU spending rose by 63%, according to BloombergNEF. The solar industry will showcase these developments and more at RE+ Las Vegas, Nevada, from Sep 8-11.
Governor Gavin Newsom's decision on California's virtual power plant program will significantly impact the state's power grid future. As the solar industry prepares for its largest trade show, Tesla's new battery solutions demonstrate advancements in energy storage, despite global investment fluctuations.
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