California’s home batteries are replacing gas plants and saving hundreds of millions
The Brattle Group analyzed a gigawatt-hour virtual power plant test that may be the world’s largest as part of its review of California’s distributed peak-shaving program. Battery manufacturing has scaled into the terawatt-hours annually, a breathtaking pace that could soon support multi-day backup of electricity systems. For now, U.S. installations fall far short of what […]
Meyer Burger gives up on selling itself as a whole, sells U.S. solar production tools
Sales of module and cell production equipment to, respectively, Waaree Solar Americas and Babacomari North Solar further thin chances of any Meyer Burger revival of its domestic production. Solar technology producer Meyer Burger Group has surrendered its drive to restructure and survive as one corporate whole beyond bankruptcy, saying an investor looks unlikely to come […]
Deploy grid-forming batteries now to avoid costly infrastructure later, says ESIG
Large-scale batteries with grid-forming software can sustain grid reliability as renewables replace synchronous fossil generators, says an ESIG report. The report focuses on test procedures to validate grid-forming capabilities. In most large power systems, transmission grid operators are “still able to maintain grid reliability using synchronous generators present in their systems at this time,” notes a […]
Don’t leave money on the table: How timely renewable energy quality data leads to smart decisions
Inadequate data management in renewable energy projects can result in significant financial losses due to forfeited payments and poor market performance. Reliable data systems and proactive commercial strategies are essential for financial viability. The financial consequences of inadequate data systems in renewable energy projects can be staggering. Drew Epps, President of MidDel Consulting, recalls a […]
Industry creates model legislation to streamline rooftop solar permitting, grid connection
Draft legislation from Solar and Storage Industries Institute and SEIA provides policymakers with a framework to reduce delays with interconnection and permitting processes for households and businesses. Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Solar and Storage Industries Institute created a research-backed model for legislation designed to support access to rooftop solar and meet growing […]
How rooftop solar can complicate residential real estate transactions
Many homeowners assume leased or loaned solar systems will boost their home’s value, but outstanding loans often drag down equity instead. Navigating the complexities of the real estate landscape is already tricky; add in the wonky, technical nature of selling or buying a home with rooftop solar, and realtors and homeowners alike can find themselves […]
Scaling perovskite tandems’ U.S. prospects
Three US manufacturers actively working to commercialize their respective perovskite-silicon tandem technologies make the case for tandem modules. CubicPV, Caelux and Swift Solar argue a commercial future for perovskites is inevitable, and they tell pv magazine the current policy environment could work in the technology’s favor. From the magazine Commercial deployment of perovskites has traditionally […]
SolarEdge unveils all-in-one residential inverter and clickable modular battery system
The stackable battery ranges 4.9 kWh to 19.6 kWh per unit while the inverter is available in ranges from 3.8 kW to 13 kW. The company also introduced a meter socket adapter to avoid triggering costly main panel upgrades. SolarEdge launched Nexis, a modular solar and energy storage system for residential projects. The integrated inverter […]
NREL researchers warn of unexpectedly high UV-induced degradation in n-type solar modules
A research team from the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory has analyzed n-type modules deployed in a 3 MW commercial PV project in an effort to assess the high degradation rate reported by the plant owner. The scientists found that ultraviolet-induced degradation (UVID) was a major factor affecting the facility’s performance. From pv magazine Global […]
State solar policy on the frontlines
For a couple months every two years, every state’s legislative session align, and this year, energy policy dominated many states’ sessions. In regulated energy markets, advocacy groups crusaded against utilities that were relentless to not lose any of their monopoly share to clean energy. From pv magazine RE+ Special Edition T.R. Ludwig, CEO of Brooklyn […]
