Clean energy news: July 2023
Arizona holds steady in nation’s top 10 for solar industry jobs
When it comes to job growth in the solar industry, Arizona is basically holding steady year-over-year and it remains sixth in the nation, according to the nonprofit Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s (IREC) 13th-annual National Solar Jobs Census. In all, Arizona had 8,337 solar jobs as of 2022, which was just 59 — or 0.7% — more than the number reached in 2021, when the state added more than 900 jobs and had the nation’s fourth-highest employment growth in the sector at about 12.7%. Read more >>
Australian companies Evie Networks, TCRT pick Arizona for North American HQs
Electric vehicle charging company Evie Networks and TCRT, a fire retardant ballistic rubber manufacturer, are expanding from Australia to North America and establishing headquarters in the Valley. Evie Networks plans to build electric vehicle charging stations in Arizona that will be “strategically located in places where customers work, live and play,” according to a company announcement. Evie Networks expects to have its initial EV charging sites up and running within 18 months, according to the Arizona Commerce Authority. Read more >>
Phoenix Sky Harbor to receive $20 million for solar parking structures
Arizona will receive more than $20 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help achieve a net-zero emissions goal. The funds are part of a $268 million grant, $92 million of which will go to 21 different airports for things like solar panels, electric buses, charging stations and electrification studies. The investments are provided to help airports reach President Joe Biden’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Read more >>
Nikola partners with Albuquerque-based BayoTech for hydrogen transport, offtake
BayoTech, an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based hydrogen transportation company with plans to break into the hydrogen production market, on Thursday announced a partnership with Nikola Corp. (Nasdaq: NKLA) for hydrogen transport and offtake. The agreement will see BayoTech purchase up to 50 of Phoenix-based Nikola’s Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles over the next five years, while the Phoenix-based transportation company will bring on up to 10 of BayoTech’s hydrogen transportation systems. Read more >>
ASU seeks a new kind of battery solution for electric vehicles
As the world’s vehicle fleet decarbonizes by transitioning to electric drivetrains, the answer to what makes the best battery remains elusive. Electric vehicle consumers seek a comfortable range from battery capacity as well as easy access to charging stations, especially those with fast-charging capabilities. Current lithium-ion batteries leave room for improvement in these areas and can present safety and weight concerns. Read more >>
After lull in climate action, Arizona joins group of states and territories pushing for changes
Arizona has joined the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition that seeks to improve America’s environmental future by advancing changes in laws and policy. Gov. Katie Hobbs said she had added Arizona to the other 24 states and territories in the effort, which represents approximately 55% of the U.S. population, according to a news release. The scope of Arizona’s efforts to improve the environment often has depended on the political party of the governor. As the first Democrat to hold the office since 2009, Hobbs is looking to change the trajectory of the state’s approach. Read more >>
‘We want the view to be breathtaking, not the emissions’: New buses coming at Grand Canyon
Federal and local officials gathered Thursday at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim to announce $27.5 million in federal funding to reduce the emissions released by transportation in the park. “We want the view to be breathtaking, not the emissions from the vehicles,” said Shailen Bhatt, U.S. Department of Transportation federal highway administrator. Read more >>
VP Kamala Harris discusses climate change, water crisis during Arizona visit
Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Arizona on Thursday for a meeting with Native American communities and Tribal Nations. This was the first time a sitting vice president had visited the Gila River Indian Community. The stop is part of the Investing in America Tour, showing the administration’s infrastructure investment. Read more >>
EV company co-led by Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter eyes Phoenix for potential HQ
An electric vehicle company co-founded by Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter is visiting Phoenix next month to explore the possibility of opening its headquarters in the Valley. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Electric Vehicle Group, in partnership with nonprofit 1 Life Organization and Phoenix-based Integro Bank, will host a Business and Tech Development Leadership Summit on Aug. 18 to formally launch the electric vehicle company and introduce the concept for its model NR1 car to the public. Read more >>
Solar module manufacturer expanding Valley production after signing two agreements
Switzerland-based Meyer Burger Technology AG said it plans to expand production at its new solar module manufacturing plant in the Phoenix metro after it secured two big contracts. In 2021, the European technology company chose a newly developed Goodyear warehouse to house its first U.S. production facility for solar modules and North American headquarters in 276,000 square feet of space with plans to employ 500 people. Meyer Burger said in June that it will expand its production in Goodyear from 1.6 gigawatts to 2 gigawatts after initially announcing that its facility would total 1.5 gigawatts at full capacity. Read more >>
Greater Phoenix ranks among top 10 in U.S. for sustainability
Greater Phoenix leaders have made it a priority to not only build the regional economy, but to improve the environment and make this earth a better place to live. These efforts earned recognition on Wednesday in Site Selection Magazine, which released its 2023 Annual Sustainability Rankings and labeled both Greater Phoenix and Arizona as two of the most sustainable places in the United States. The region was ranked No. 7 in the nation and No. 2 in the Mountain Region, behind only the Denver metro. Arizona was ranked No. 5 in the country, topping the Mountain Region. Read more >>
Electric vehicle company Nxu bolsters East Valley presence with new HQ lease
After looking for a new office for a little over a year, Valley-based Nxu Inc. will move into a new space later this year. Nxu (Nasdaq: NXU), which rebranded from Atlis Motor Vehicles earlier this year, secured a 21,000-square-foot lease at 63 S. Rockford Drive in Tempe. The office will be considered the electric vehicle and related component maker’s headquarters, but Nxu will keep its existing manufacturing facility in Mesa, giving the company a total footprint of about 63,000 square feet. Read more >>