Tesla loses U.S. market dominance as EV makers catch up

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Tesla’s share of the U.S. electric car market falls to less than 50% in the second quarter as the popularity of General Motors, Ford, Hyundai and Kia’s models grow, a research firm finds. (New York Times)

SOLAR:

• A national laboratory finds installing rooftop solar saved the median American household about $691 annually on utility bills when all costs and incentives are considered. (Orange County Register)
• As the U.S. Commerce Department investigates potential violations of a tariff targeting Chinese solar component imports, an industry leader worries a violation could harm the domestic solar industry. (PV Magazine)
• Minnesota lawmakers extend funding for a solar rebate program through 2035, giving installers more certainty for investing in longer-term marketing and outreach, including for low-income communities. (Energy News Network)

CLEAN ENERGY:

• Experts predict global energy storage capacity will grow more than 600% over the next decade, and that wind and solar installations will continue to expand. (Utility Dive)
• Amazon says it purchased only carbon-free electricity last year, meeting its goal seven years early, though experts say the company was too lenient in calculating its emissions impact. (New York Times)

NUCLEAR: President Biden signs into law a bipartisan bill aimed at boosting the nuclear power sector, including by supporting the development of next-generation reactors. (The Hill)

GRID:

• Millions of Houston residents still don’t have power after Hurricane Beryl hit and as temperatures rise, growing frustrated after the city’s electric grid buckled under a storm less powerful than previous ones. (Texas Tribune, Associated Press)
• Virginia and Texas become test cases for how the power grid will hold up under the growing pressure of data centers used for artificial intelligence and mining cryptocurrency. (E&E News)

CLIMATE: Montana Republican officials urge the state Supreme Court to overturn a lower court’s decision ordering regulators to consider climate impacts when reviewing proposed fossil fuel projects. (Associated Press)

EFFICIENCY: The Republican-controlled U.S. House passes two bills aimed at blocking stronger efficiency standards for refrigerators and dishwashers, though they’re unlikely to become law. (The Hill)