As summer reaches its peak, we’re excited to illuminate the latest advancements and initiatives in the world of clean energy. This month, we’re thrilled to share a glimpse into our North Stafford County project, insights into the changes in the energy landscape, an exciting new office, and more!
This month’s featured project takes us back to school with North Stafford High School in Stafford, Virginia. This 1,779 kW roof mount site will generate 2,332 MWh per year when it reaches PTO in the next few months.
Along with receiving the financial benefits of solar energy, North Stafford High will also be receiving educational tools and material through our Solar Empowered Schools program.
Exciting changes are coming to the energy landscape in 2024, with a massive surge in new generation capacity led by renewables. Meanwhile, PJM's latest capacity auction saw prices skyrocket tenfold, signaling significant shifts in the power market's future.
The EIA (Energy Information Administration) forecasts 62.8 GW of new generation will come online in 2024, a 55% increase compared to 2023. Utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage constitute about 94% of those additions.
Prices in PJM’s 2025/2026 capacity auction settled roughly 10x higher than in PJM’s previous auction. This spike reflects increased load growth expectations, updated capacity accreditation standards, and generator retirements.
The month marks movement in clean energy in Georgia, Maine, and Texas.
Funding from the IRA is turning Georgia into a clean energy manufacturing hub.
A grid-scale storage project funds the world’s largest battery storage system.
During a heatwave, demand in ERCOT reached an all-time high of 85,559 MW.
This month, our Charlotesville office doubled as a film studio as we set up shop to develop content for future initiatives with Solar Empowered Schools. This content will be utilized in the future by educators and students. We truly believe that these initiatives not only directly benefit schools looking to switch to solar, but will empower countless students to consider a career in clean energy.
This month, we would like to highlight not only all of the hard work from our operations and asset management teams, but take a moment to recognize the amount of hours that they spend on the road to make this all possible. From the desert to snowy fields, parking lots to farms, it is safe to say they track up a lot of mileage! With sites in over 26 states, these teams need to be efficient and adaptable to many possible environments.
Our office in Tysons, Virginia has been the backbone of the whole Madison organization. As the largest office in terms of people, it has witnessed our growth first hand and given us the space to work and collaborate as a team. Now after years of service, we have finally outgrown our former office and have found a newer, much larger space right down the street from our previous location! Our Tysons’ team is set to move in the new office this week and begin a new chapter of Madison history!
Tara Brach
Tara Brach's book offers a practical solution to the stresses of modern life through a four-step meditation process aimed at alleviating difficult emotions and limiting beliefs. By using the steps of Recognize, Allow, Investigate, and Nurture, Brach shares personal stories that illustrate how individuals can confront feelings of overwhelm and trauma while discovering inner compassion and wisdom. This approach serves as a guide to finding peace and freedom in one's own heart, emphasizing the importance of mindful awareness and self-compassion. Ultimately, the book encourages readers to reconnect with their authentic selves amidst the chaos of daily life.
Paris 2024 set a new benchmark for Olympic sustainability by halving carbon emissions compared to previous Games and aligning with the Paris Agreement. The event was powered entirely by renewable energy, with venues connected to a national electric grid, ensuring a lasting legacy. Utilizing 95% pre-existing or temporary venues, the new Aquatics Centre featured low-carbon construction and energy self-sufficiency. These initiatives highlighted Paris 2024's commitment to maximizing resources while minimizing environmental impact.