PDX Solar
@pdxsolar.org
A solar and new energy education nonprofit. Promoting independent, affordable, libre solar energy in Portland, Oregon
https://pdxsolar.org - Lux Liberat
https://pdxsolar.org - Lux Liberat
The Portland General powergrid is dangerously overexposed to gas generation, and thus gas prices, which are quite volatile and rising very quickly.
This is driving up the cost of generation, one of the three major components of final home electricity prices.
Zero-fuel options exist ☀️
This is driving up the cost of generation, one of the three major components of final home electricity prices.
Zero-fuel options exist ☀️
January 29, 2026 at 3:42 PM
The Portland General powergrid is dangerously overexposed to gas generation, and thus gas prices, which are quite volatile and rising very quickly.
This is driving up the cost of generation, one of the three major components of final home electricity prices.
Zero-fuel options exist ☀️
This is driving up the cost of generation, one of the three major components of final home electricity prices.
Zero-fuel options exist ☀️
Reposted by PDX Solar
"Global power generation from wind and solar has reached a level that’s equal to total generation from all sources in the United States," reports @gregor.us: www.coldeye.earth/p/down-to-th... 🔌💡
January 26, 2026 at 11:00 PM
"Global power generation from wind and solar has reached a level that’s equal to total generation from all sources in the United States," reports @gregor.us: www.coldeye.earth/p/down-to-th... 🔌💡
The biggest lie ever sold is that fossil is "firm power."
Before this recent storm @txsharon.bsky.social explained to everyone what would happen in the TX oil fields. This new article highlights how Sharon was right.
“Remember: Oil and gas infrastructure is fragile. Any weather event causes problems,” Sharon Wilson wrote on LinkedIn.
“Remember: Oil and gas infrastructure is fragile. Any weather event causes problems,” Sharon Wilson wrote on LinkedIn.
‘Piercing Cold’ Produces Power Outages Across Canada and U.S., Methane Leaks in Texas
With much of North America shivering under Arctic temperatures, power utilities and the United States gas industry are buckling under the impact of the climate extremes they’ve played a central role i...
www.theenergymix.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:46 AM
The biggest lie ever sold is that fossil is "firm power."
Reposted by PDX Solar
B A T T E R I E S
S O L V E
T H I S
S O L V E
T H I S
January 28, 2026 at 5:57 AM
B A T T E R I E S
S O L V E
T H I S
S O L V E
T H I S
Reposted by PDX Solar
China’s electric truck sales just tripled to ~230k units. ~20% of all heavy trucks sold are now electric. This isn’t hitting diesel anymore — it’s hitting gas. Freight is pure economics & electric is already cheaper. When trucks flip, fuel demand collapses fast. This is the real demand destruction.
China’s Electric Truck Boom Poses New Threat to Demand for LNG
China’s rapid adoption of electric trucks — which overtook gas-powered vehicle sales for the first time last year — is threatening a key source of demand for the country’s suppliers of the fossil fuel...
share.google
January 28, 2026 at 11:42 AM
China’s electric truck sales just tripled to ~230k units. ~20% of all heavy trucks sold are now electric. This isn’t hitting diesel anymore — it’s hitting gas. Freight is pure economics & electric is already cheaper. When trucks flip, fuel demand collapses fast. This is the real demand destruction.
B A T T E R I E S
S O L V E
T H I S
S O L V E
T H I S
January 28, 2026 at 5:57 AM
B A T T E R I E S
S O L V E
T H I S
S O L V E
T H I S
Reposted by PDX Solar
"The growth of solar and batteries is now cutting into [California]’s fossil fuel power plant generation. Since 2023, natural gas generation has fallen by 10%," writes @michael-thomas.bsky.social www.distilled.earth/p/solar-and-... 🔌💡
Solar and Batteries Are Squeezing Out Natural Gas in California
The state's power emissions fell 8% last year, even as they rose almost everywhere else.
www.distilled.earth
January 26, 2026 at 11:28 PM
"The growth of solar and batteries is now cutting into [California]’s fossil fuel power plant generation. Since 2023, natural gas generation has fallen by 10%," writes @michael-thomas.bsky.social www.distilled.earth/p/solar-and-... 🔌💡
"I think the point is for us in Washington, trying to find, as we wait for BPA, who’s years behind, what are the other things that we can control" www.opb.org/article/2026...
Our reporting showed Washington ranks last in green energy growth. Now the state is working to speed it up
Washington's departing commerce director said there’s added urgency to get the projects done after an Oregon Public Broadcasting and ProPublica investigation showed states like Iowa and Texas have mad...
www.opb.org
January 26, 2026 at 5:11 PM
"I think the point is for us in Washington, trying to find, as we wait for BPA, who’s years behind, what are the other things that we can control" www.opb.org/article/2026...
The grids east of the rockies aced this test, and solar, batteries, and wind carried the day.
January 26, 2026 at 2:59 PM
The grids east of the rockies aced this test, and solar, batteries, and wind carried the day.
Even in this country, kicking and screaming, electrotech infrastructure is sprouting: electrek.co/2026/01/25/t...
The clever way food trucks are now using e-bike batteries
New York City’s food carts are part of the city’s soul. They’re loud, fast, fragrant, and everywhere – serving up...
electrek.co
January 26, 2026 at 3:08 AM
Even in this country, kicking and screaming, electrotech infrastructure is sprouting: electrek.co/2026/01/25/t...
Fossil power generation, as the name implies, is old, creaky, and unreliable.
"The extreme cold caused gas and fuel supply and mechanical issues, resulting in unplanned generator outages and capacity derates"
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
"The extreme cold caused gas and fuel supply and mechanical issues, resulting in unplanned generator outages and capacity derates"
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Sprawling US Winter Storm Strains Power Grids, Snarls Travel
A massive US winter storm stretching from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England is straining power systems, causing cascading travel disruptions, while threatening large amounts of snow and ice ...
www.bloomberg.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Fossil power generation, as the name implies, is old, creaky, and unreliable.
"The extreme cold caused gas and fuel supply and mechanical issues, resulting in unplanned generator outages and capacity derates"
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
"The extreme cold caused gas and fuel supply and mechanical issues, resulting in unplanned generator outages and capacity derates"
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Letting electricians make energy policy is like letting Jiffy Lube guys make transportation policy.
January 24, 2026 at 3:38 AM
Letting electricians make energy policy is like letting Jiffy Lube guys make transportation policy.
Reposted by PDX Solar
Good morning with good news: New data show that Africa has 2.75 times more solar than thought, thanks to rapidly surging solar built by commercial, industrial & residential customers!
~85% of solar installed in Africa in 2025 was distributed solar!
www.afsiasolar.com/data-center/... #energysky
~85% of solar installed in Africa in 2025 was distributed solar!
www.afsiasolar.com/data-center/... #energysky
January 23, 2026 at 12:03 PM
Good morning with good news: New data show that Africa has 2.75 times more solar than thought, thanks to rapidly surging solar built by commercial, industrial & residential customers!
~85% of solar installed in Africa in 2025 was distributed solar!
www.afsiasolar.com/data-center/... #energysky
~85% of solar installed in Africa in 2025 was distributed solar!
www.afsiasolar.com/data-center/... #energysky
Reposted by PDX Solar
NEW: India is avoiding the fossil fuel detour 🪝
Where China built first on coal and gas, India is taking a shortcut >>> read in 5 graphics🧵
Where China built first on coal and gas, India is taking a shortcut >>> read in 5 graphics🧵
January 23, 2026 at 10:51 AM
NEW: India is avoiding the fossil fuel detour 🪝
Where China built first on coal and gas, India is taking a shortcut >>> read in 5 graphics🧵
Where China built first on coal and gas, India is taking a shortcut >>> read in 5 graphics🧵
Reposted by PDX Solar
In case you for some reason need a bit of good news this week, India--largest country on earth--seems to be taking a decisive turn toward solar energy
open.substack.com/pub/billmcki...
open.substack.com/pub/billmcki...
We interrupt the madness for a note from the rational world
And an encouraging one, at that!
open.substack.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:49 PM
In case you for some reason need a bit of good news this week, India--largest country on earth--seems to be taking a decisive turn toward solar energy
open.substack.com/pub/billmcki...
open.substack.com/pub/billmcki...
Reposted by PDX Solar
On the side of a rural highway in north central Oregon sandwiched between rolling hills of volcanic rock and high desert dotted with livestock, solar and wind farms, about two dozen members of Oregon unions came together to launch a new labor coalition.
New labor coalition hopes to spur job growth to meet Oregon’s clean energy targets • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Ten construction industry unions, federations formed Climate Jobs Oregon to spur investment, training for clean energy jobs.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 11:33 PM
On the side of a rural highway in north central Oregon sandwiched between rolling hills of volcanic rock and high desert dotted with livestock, solar and wind farms, about two dozen members of Oregon unions came together to launch a new labor coalition.
Reposted by PDX Solar
Why so few solar installations in Eastern Oregon? They have all of the sun!
January 21, 2026 at 2:18 AM
Why so few solar installations in Eastern Oregon? They have all of the sun!
Reposted by PDX Solar
Recently, our #NorthernColorado chapter featured Joel Danforth of GRID Alternatives for a discussion of the upcoming Technical Guide to Community-owned Agrivoltaic Solar in Colorado.
Check out the recording here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhJ2...
Check out the recording here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhJ2...
Community-owned Agrivoltaic Solar in Colorado
YouTube video by Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES)
www.youtube.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Recently, our #NorthernColorado chapter featured Joel Danforth of GRID Alternatives for a discussion of the upcoming Technical Guide to Community-owned Agrivoltaic Solar in Colorado.
Check out the recording here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhJ2...
Check out the recording here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhJ2...
Reposted by PDX Solar
But again. I will go back to what I said before.
I believe it is very silly to pay good money for a valuable resource just to set it on fire, even if that resource pushes me down the road a few miles.
And I believe it's silly because durable things like solar panels and batteries do more work.
I believe it is very silly to pay good money for a valuable resource just to set it on fire, even if that resource pushes me down the road a few miles.
And I believe it's silly because durable things like solar panels and batteries do more work.
January 20, 2026 at 4:59 PM
But again. I will go back to what I said before.
I believe it is very silly to pay good money for a valuable resource just to set it on fire, even if that resource pushes me down the road a few miles.
And I believe it's silly because durable things like solar panels and batteries do more work.
I believe it is very silly to pay good money for a valuable resource just to set it on fire, even if that resource pushes me down the road a few miles.
And I believe it's silly because durable things like solar panels and batteries do more work.
Reposted by PDX Solar
Global BESS demand jumps 51% in 2025 as installations top 300 GWh #energysky -- via pv magazine usa:
Global BESS demand jumps 51% in 2025 as installations top 300 GWh
Iola Hughes, Head of Research at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, tells ESS News that 2026 is set to be another strong year for BESS, with forecast additions exceeding 450 GWh and no material supply constraints in sight. Meanwhile, the initial impact of rising lithium prices is already visible at the cell level, but the full effect has yet to ripple through to system pricing.
pv-magazine-usa.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Global BESS demand jumps 51% in 2025 as installations top 300 GWh #energysky -- via pv magazine usa:
Reposted by PDX Solar
www.canarymedia.com/articles/sol...
More than a year after the storm’s devastation, clean-energy microgrids are springing up in remote areas thanks to a program that could become a national model.
More than a year after the storm’s devastation, clean-energy microgrids are springing up in remote areas thanks to a program that could become a national model.
After Helene, rural North Carolina turns to solar and battery hubs
More than a year after the storm’s devastation, clean-energy microgrids are springing up in remote areas thanks to a program that could become a national…
www.canarymedia.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:05 PM
www.canarymedia.com/articles/sol...
More than a year after the storm’s devastation, clean-energy microgrids are springing up in remote areas thanks to a program that could become a national model.
More than a year after the storm’s devastation, clean-energy microgrids are springing up in remote areas thanks to a program that could become a national model.
Join us tomorrow evening!
Third Act Oregon will host a webinar on how to advocate for the Plug-in Solar bill, which will be introduced in the Oregon Legislature this session. Jan. 20, 6:00 pm.
What is Plug-in Solar Webinar and What Does It Mean for Oregon?
A plug-in solar bill is coming to Oregon. Curious about plug-in solar? Join us for WHAT IS PLUG-IN SOLAR and What Does It Mean for Oregon, a webinar on Tuesday, January 20th, 6 – 6:45 PM. We’ll i...
actionnetwork.org
January 19, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Join us tomorrow evening!
Something incredible is happening: renewables growing faster than fossil sources in every region.
No wonder, they're the cheapest & fastest-to-build sources of electricity in human history.
Even clearer when you see the hidden driver in this exponential growth of renewables: ☀️ solar 😎
#energysky
No wonder, they're the cheapest & fastest-to-build sources of electricity in human history.
Even clearer when you see the hidden driver in this exponential growth of renewables: ☀️ solar 😎
#energysky
January 19, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Something incredible is happening: renewables growing faster than fossil sources in every region.
No wonder, they're the cheapest & fastest-to-build sources of electricity in human history.
Even clearer when you see the hidden driver in this exponential growth of renewables: ☀️ solar 😎
#energysky
No wonder, they're the cheapest & fastest-to-build sources of electricity in human history.
Even clearer when you see the hidden driver in this exponential growth of renewables: ☀️ solar 😎
#energysky
Reposted by PDX Solar
More evidence we’re passing gas
Australia’s Shift from Gas to Renewables and The Rise of Batteries
Australia’s electricity grids are undergoing a profound transformation, with large-scale batteries rapidly emerging in support of renewables, by-passing the need for gas
Australia’s Shift from Gas to Renewables and The Rise of Batteries
Australia’s electricity grids are undergoing a profound transformation, with large-scale batteries rapidly emerging in support of renewables, by-passing the need for gas
January 19, 2026 at 11:01 AM
More evidence we’re passing gas
Australia’s Shift from Gas to Renewables and The Rise of Batteries
Australia’s electricity grids are undergoing a profound transformation, with large-scale batteries rapidly emerging in support of renewables, by-passing the need for gas
Australia’s Shift from Gas to Renewables and The Rise of Batteries
Australia’s electricity grids are undergoing a profound transformation, with large-scale batteries rapidly emerging in support of renewables, by-passing the need for gas