By Silvio Marcacci, Communications Director at Energy Innovation
Over the last decade, wind energy prices have fallen 70% and solar photovoltaics have fallen 89% on average, according to Lazard’s 2019 report. Utility-scale renewable energy prices are now significantly below those for coal and gas generation, and they’re less than half the cost of nuclear. The latest numbers again confirm that building new clean energy generation is cheaper than running existing coal plants.
In other words, it is now cheaper to save the climate than to destroy it. Capacity installation trends reflect this economic reality, with new wind and solar generation coming online at a breakneck pace. Wind power capacity in the U.S. has more than doubled since 2010 and reached nearly 100 GW in 2018. Read more here.
ØRSTED NEWS
Global 100 Index: Ørsted Is the World’s Most Sustainable Company, Ørsted News Release, CSR Wire
Having completed a fundamental business transformation from fossil fuels to renewables over the past decade, Ørsted urges all countries and companies to reduce their carbon emissions to help limit global warming to 1.5°C. The global leader in offshore wind outperformed more than 7,300 global companies with billion-dollar revenues to rank #1 in Corporate Knights’ 2020 index of the Global 100 most sustainable corporations in the world. Ørsted becomes the first-ever energy company to top the index.
Previously Posted
- Ørsted to Build Wind Farm in Nebraska, Ørsted News Release, Business Wire
- “Red” Nebraska Is Ready For Its Wind Power Closeup, CleanTechnica
- Ørsted buys US firm Lincoln Clean Energy, Windpower Monthly
100% CLEAN ENERGY NEWS – PLUS NEBRASKA DATA
- The Energy 202: Arizona’s biggest utility, which fought renewables in 2018, now wants to go carbon-free, Washington Post. One way APS [Arizona Public Service] says it plans to meet its new goals is by ceasing to generate electricity from burning coal by 2031. The company currently has majority stakes in two large coal-fired power plants, according to a report prepared for the Sierra Club by Strategen Consulting. The report said that keeping open the aging coal plants, which are 50 and 51 years old each, was uneconomic.
- Nebraska’s Energy Profile: In 2018, Nebraska obtained 63% of its net electricity generation from coal, 15% from nuclear power, and 14% from wind. Almost all of the rest was generated from hydropower (4%) and natural gas (3%). Source: U.S. Energy Information Association (EIA)
- News Release: Gov. Scott proposes grid optimization and clean transportation investments to lower energy costs, support local climate economy, Vermont Digger
- Website referenced in the above news release: Renewable Energy Vermont
- Bank of America has met its 100% renewable energy target one year ahead of schedule, reNEWS
- Pernod Ricard Will Pivot To 100% Renewable Energy By 2025, Forbes
The second-biggest alcohol producer in the world, has announced an ambitious plan to shift to 100% renewable electricity by the year 2025. - Scotland to reach this year 100% renewable energy goal, ZME Science
MICROSOFT’S NEW CARBON NEGATIVE PLAN
How Microsoft’s new carbon-negative plan will test the idea of a climate economy, CNBC
Microsoft’s plan to make up for every bit of carbon it has put into the atmosphere since it was founded in 1975 will require a mix of old and new solutions. 100% renewable electricity by 2025, electric vehicles on campuses and alternate sources of business travel are familiar pledges. But soaking up all the carbon in the air already is a new corporate goal and will require novel technology, such as direct air capture. Microsoft is counting on everything from planting massive numbers of trees to soak up carbon and using technologies to capture carbon and sequester it in soil — burying it, essentially — to more exotic technologies.
EV NEWS
Tesla can sell vehicles in Michigan under legal settlement, Associated Press News
Tesla will be able to sell and service its vehicles in the backyard of Detroit’s three automakers under a lawsuit settlement, a person briefed on the matter says. The deal between the state of Michigan and Tesla is likely to be announced Wednesday, said the person, who asked not to be identified because terms of the deal have not been made public.
FEATURED NATIONAL INITIATIVE
SolSmart is a national designation program recognizing cities, counties, and regional organizations that foster the development of mature local solar markets. The program is led by the International City/County Management Association and The Solar Foundation.
To help communities achieve designation, SolSmart provides no-cost technical assistance from a team of national experts who work to evaluate programs and practices that impact solar markets, and identify high-prospect opportunities for improvement. A select number of communities also hosted SolSmart Advisors: fully-funded, experienced staff who work in communities for periods of up to six months. All cities, counties, and regional organizations are eligible to join SolSmart and receive no-cost technical assistance to achieve designation.
Learn more: Why Should You Apply?
Meet the SolSmart team
Lincoln, Nebraska SolSmart Gold Designee
City Receives National Recognition for Promoting Solar Energy, City of Lincoln Mayor’s Office News Release, September 9, 2019
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The rapidly growing group of states looking to thwart climate change by adopting 100% renewable energy policies has a new member. Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo signed an 
On December 20th, more than 20 people came to the Lincoln Electric System’s board meeting in support of 
Utility-Scale Solar: Empirical Trends in Project Technology, Cost, Performance, and PPA Pricing in the United States – 2019 Edition,
This is the third of a four part series based on Utility Dive visits to cities that produce more renewable power than they consume. The first installment looks at 
