California’s Legislative Push for Solar on Farmland
In a significant legislative move, California is on the verge of making it easier for farmers in water-scarce areas to transition their agricultural land to solar energy production. The bill, now awaiting Governor Newsom’s signature, aims to facilitate these conversions under the state’s Williamson Act. Proponents believe this step is vital for achieving California’s ambitious target of 100% clean electricity by 2045. However, the California Farm Bureau has expressed concerns about the potential loss of prime agricultural land to solar farms.
The Public Policy Institute of California highlights a critical need for this transition, estimating that by 2040, around 500,000 acres in the San Joaquin Valley will need to cease agricultural production to address groundwater overdraft issues.
Legal Battle Over Offshore Wind Lease Buyout
The state of California is taking legal action against the federal government and Golden State Wind LLC over a controversial offshore wind energy lease buyout. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside the California Energy Commission, is challenging the use of $120 million in federal funds to terminate this lease off the Central Coast. The state argues that the canceled projects could jeopardize investments exceeding $100 million in supporting infrastructure and threaten over 174,750 jobs.
Morgan Hill Implements Temporary Halt on Data Centers
To address a lack of zoning regulations, Morgan Hill in Santa Clara County has enacted a 45-day moratorium on new data centers and large-scale battery storage facilities. This pause, approved unanimously by the city council, grants city officials time to establish specific zoning standards for these developments. Development Services Director Jennifer Carman noted the absence of current zoning guidelines for such projects.
Record Energy Storage Capacity Added in the U.S.
The U.S. energy storage sector reached a new milestone in Q2 2026, with a record installation of 20.2 GWh of capacity. As reported by the Solar Energy Industries Association and Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, this surge brings the total for the first half of the year to 30.8 GWh. The increase in battery energy storage indicates a significant rise in electricity supply compared to the entire previous year.
Google to Receive Geothermal Power from Fervo Energy
Fervo Energy has finalized a landmark agreement with Google to provide nearly 400 MW of clean power from its geothermal project in Utah. This deal, considered the largest for a next-gen geothermal system, leverages advanced drilling techniques to harness underground heat from hot, dry rocks for electricity generation.
Microgrid Project Advances in Pescadero
In Pescadero, California, plans for a community microgrid to mitigate frequent power outages have progressed with the final funding secured from PG&E’s Microgrid Incentive Program. This project aims to provide three to seven days of backup power for nearly all residents, targeting vulnerable and disadvantaged areas.
Dimension Energy’s Solar Expansion Funded by $857 Million
Dimension Energy has successfully secured $857 million in funding to propel the growth of its distributed solar energy initiatives. This financial boost will support the construction of 29 solar projects across several states, including Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, amounting to 149 MW in total capacity.
Original Story at www.mondaq.com