Batteries

Energy storage

Hawaii used rooftop solar to shore up the grid. New rules threaten that

A nation-leading virtual power plant program helped keep the lights on when Oahu's coal plant shut down. But rule changes may drive away future customers, advocates say.

By Julian Spector . 18 January 2024
Energy storage

Chart: The US grid battery fleet is about to double — again

America's energy storage industry is on a tear, installing batteries to store clean wind and solar and make the grid more reliable.

By Julian Spector, Maria Virginia Olano . 12 January 2024
Energy storage

A huge battery has replaced Hawaii's last coal plant

Plus Power’s Kapolei battery is officially online. The pioneering project is a leading example of how to shift crucial grid functions from fossil-fueled plants to clean energy.

By Julian Spector . 10 January 2024
Clean energy manufacturing

Battery Belt communities fight for a fair shake as projects get underway

As construction commences on multibillion-dollar facilities across the U.S., citizen groups are organizing to secure benefits that accrue beyond the factory walls.

By Katie Myers . 3 January 2024
Batteries

EV battery repair is dangerous — but some mechanics want to do it anyway

Fixing the batteries of e-bikes and electric vehicles saves money and resources — but challenges are holding back the industry.

By Maddie Stone . 12 December 2023
Batteries

Chart: Lithium-ion battery prices are falling again

Covid disruptions broke what seemed like an inexorable trend of annual battery price declines. But this year, average pack prices fell 14% to a new record low.

By Julian Spector, Dan McCarthy . 8 December 2023
Clean energy supply chain

The US EV industry now faces a choice: Tax credits or Chinese batteries

Long-awaited rules from the Biden admin could make all EVs ineligible for the $7,500 customer tax credit — unless the industry can source key supplies beyond China.

By Jeff St. John . 6 December 2023
Batteries

California regulators cut incentives for rooftop solar even further

The CPUC insists it wants people to add batteries to solar systems to help the grid. But it just cut the compensation that households can earn by doing it.

By Jeff St. John . 4 December 2023
Solar

California’s rooftop solar policy is killing its rooftop solar industry

New projects have cratered and job losses are mounting in the six months since California regulators slashed the value of home solar systems.

By Jeff St. John . 1 December 2023
Clean energy supply chain

New investment firm aims to scale up urgently needed battery materials

Kinterra Capital has raised a $565 million private equity fund dedicated to investing in new mines and processing plants to supply battery and EV factories.

By Julian Spector . 29 November 2023