Here are some noteworthy cleantech announcements of the day from around the world:

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff has introduced the Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act to boost American solar manufacturing, accelerate the transition to clean energy, and support American energy independence. The legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock from Georgia, Michael Bennet from Colorado, and Debbie Stabenow from Michigan. The Act would provide tax credits for American manufacturers across the solar manufacturing supply chain, from polysilicon production to solar cells to fully assembled solar modules.

The Renewable Energy Association of Rajasthan (REAR) has written to the Ministry of Power, urging it to release the final Electricity (Rights of Consumers) (Amendment) Rules, 2021. REAR noted that the delay in bringing out the amendment regarding the net metering is impacting the stakeholders – mainly engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors, developers, industrial and commercial players. REAR further alleged that a huge number of projects to be installed under net metering are under construction, and a lot of projects are on hold due to uncertainty of the regulations. REAR stressed that developers, EPC players, and beneficiaries would face huge financial losses if the amendments are not released on time.

Under the integrated power development program of the Ministry of Power, Government of India, a 50 kW solar rooftop was inaugurated in Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The project is commissioned by Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited. A total of 152 solar photovoltaic modules were installed, which will generate around 165 kWh of electricity daily.

Astronergy/Chint Solar has signed a contract with Sojitz Corporation and ENEOS to offer engineering, procurement, and construction services for the 204 MW Edenvale Solar Park in Australia. Astronergy’s 540 W bifacial photovoltaic modules will be installed in the solar park. The Edenvale Solar Park project is expected to reduce 300,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, which is equivalent to planting 19 million trees yearly after commissioning.

Wabtec Corporation and General Motors will collaborate on developing and commercializing GM’s Ultium battery technology and HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell systems for Wabtec locomotives. Wabtec and GM signed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding to advance the two companies’ shared vision of a zero-emissions future in transportation. Wabtec will blend its energy management know-how and systems optimization with GM’s technologies to develop a solution for heavy haul locomotives.

Residential energy solutions provider Elevation has secured a Series A financing led by Vesta Ventures, a residential-focused proptech venture capital fund founded by industry veterans Rich Ford and Clayton Wyatt. Elevation is a fully integrated residential energy solutions company providing solar, energy efficiency, and smart energy management technology. The latest funding will allow Elevation to invest in and expand its proprietary technology platforms for homeowners, renters, institutional operators of single-family rental portfolios, and utility companies.

Srinwanti is a copy editor at Mercom India, where she writes and edits news stories across the clean energy spectrum. Prior to Mercom, she has worked in book publishing at Macmillan Publishing House and Integra and honed her editorial and writing skills in both online and print media such as Reuters, Times Group Books, The Times of India, and Pune Mirror, covering local to international stories. More articles from Srinwanti Das.