We got some good news and some bad news for you today. We’re going to end with the good because we want to end the news on a happy note!
THE BAD:
Massachusetts solar had a rough year. In 2019, new installations fell 50% and the sector’s workforce shrank by 30% – and not from lack of interest! Projects and installations (even some in mid-construction) are stuck in utility-caused bureaucratic red tape, and rural NIMBYism. The state’s Department of Energy Resources saw 2,500 applications for solar installations in the first week they opened their applications, but two weeks in Massachusetts utility provider National Grid launched a “cluster study,” to look at projects over 1 MW to determine how they might impact the transmission grid. In the process, 900 MW of solar installations were stalled and are still “awaiting the results of further studies.”
THE GOOD:
NY Governor Cuomo used his 2020 State of the State Address to announce 21 Large-Scale Renewable Energy Projects that will generate enough renewable energy to power over 350,000 New York homes – a big step for the Governor’s Green New Deal goal to source 70% of the state’s electricity from renewables by 2030.
About The Author
Swarnav has over 10 years of experience in the energy & climate tech space, holds 2 patents and is active in the tech, climate and media industries. He specializes in Product/Product Innovation as well as Go-To-Market and Growth Strategy.
By training he’s a Materials Engineer with a background in research from his time at Georgia Tech and University of Illinois (UIUC).
He founded TouchLight a utility backed energy company focused on developing IP for utilities and startups pushing electrification forward. He also serves as the appointed Chairman for the Town of Yorktown’s Climate Smart Communities Task Force, where he helps with drafting legislation and enabling sustainability efforts within the town.
Concurrently, Swarnav founded The Impact to help investors, emerging founders and driven climate enthusiasts discover and identify new climate-tech startups, technologies and opportunities before they hit the traditional media sources.