World
Solar is reshaping California’s Central Valley. What happens to the rural farming communities next door?
A democratically organized nonprofit is giving a seat at the clean energy table to 36 communities in Western Fresno County. Tucked away in California’s Central Valley lies Fresno County, one of the nation’s top agricultural producers and a fertile landscape for new solar and storage development. It’s also home to a fast-growing, democratically elected coalition […]
Arkansas to build 600 MW solar project for Google’s $4B data center
When complete, the project will add 600 MW to the 3,245 MW of solar capacity on the Arkansas grid. Arkansas approved Entergy’s proposed 600 MW solar project to help power a $4 billion Google data center campus in West Memphis, Ark. Known as “Project Pyramid,” the Arkansas Public Service Commission’s (APSC) approval also included a […]
Solis launches 16 kW residential and 60 kW commercial hybrid inverters
Ginlong Solis released two new hybrid string inverters that range from 9.6 kW to 16 kW for the residential market, and from 30 kW to 60 kW for the commercial market. Ginlong (Solis) Technologies launched two new solar inverters intended for the U.S. market. The hybrid string inverters support flexible configuration and support whole-home or […]
Western wildfires, storms cut solar gains in the West while Eastern US sees boost
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that trontal systems, widespread wildfires and an omega block pattern contributed to highly mixed irradiance anomalies across North America in September. Solar conditions underperformed in much of the West and Midwest, while the Northeast, South, and parts of Canada recorded a strong […]
Why California’s closed $2 billion solar plant is not a signal of industry failure
Beginning operations in 2014, the Ivanpah Solar plant in California cost $2.2 billion to build. It is now closing operations, but the plant’s closure is not an indication cost problems for the solar industry. Headlines have been circulating major news outlets around the impending closure of the Ivanpah Solar Power Facility, a $2.2 billion project […]
Freight costs steady after early September spike
Freight costs, which contribute towards the total cost of a solar installation, have fallen week-on-week on trade lines out of the Far East, helping to offset a price surge in the US-bound short-term market recorded at the start of September. From pv magazine Global Freight container shipping spot rates have declined week-on-week, with a spike […]
California required new hardware for dynamic pricing, and manufacturers built it
As California works to launch opt-in dynamic pricing of electricity that favors low-cost renewables, three manufacturers now offer 73 models of a type of price-responsive device. For dynamic pricing of electricity to work in California, devices that can respond to price signals must be available. The first set of such devices is now on the […]
Astrobotic, Honda developing vertical solar, storage solution for lunar missions
Pittsburgh-based aerospace company Astrobotic and Honda’s North American subsidiary are working on integrating Astrobotic’s vertical solar array technology with Honda’s regenerative fuel cell system to develop a power and storage solution capable of supporting prolonged exploration of the moon. From pv magazine Global American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and Astrobotic Technology, Inc. have entered into […]
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 […]
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 […]
