Net metering battles have surged in recent years. As 2021 begins, the same old fights are ongoing.
January 12, 2021
Russell Schiermeier graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in mechanical engineering. But a decade ago, he bought a few hundred acres near the Snake River in Idaho’s high desert and began to farm. In the years since, his farm has grown to encompass more than 3,000 acres with crops such as alfalfa, corn and peppermint, and Schiermeier has experimented with carbon sequestration and cover cropping.
Two years ago, Schiermeier installed solar panels to power the irrigation pumps that provide essential water to his crops. “That’s kind of the rub in Idaho. We’ve got such a wonderful growing season.but we just don’t have any water,” he said.
In order for the International Space Station (ISS) to keep growing its research capabilities as well as its commercial opportunities, it needs power. That power is generated thanks to four pairs of large solar arrays that soak up the sun s energy.
As a vital part of NASA s missions in space, the ISS needs reliable and strong power.
That s why it s chosen Boeing to provide the next six solar arrays for the ISS, which will start being sent up to the station in 2021 aboard SpaceX s Dragon cargo spacecraft.
The news was officially announced by Boeing and NASA on Monday.
For a little background information, the ISS s current solar arrays were designed for a 15-year life span. These were delivered in intervals in 2000, 2006, 2007, and 2009, and have been working continuously to provide electrical power to the ISS since their deployment.