Markets & Policy
U.S. solar will pass wind in 2025 and leave coal in the dust soon after
Solar and wind represent about 11% to 12% of the energy mix each, while coal sits just under 15%. Developers brought online 16 GW of solar out of a total 21.5 GW electric generation capacity cumulatively added through July in 2025, said the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. There is currently about 5 GW more wind […]
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 […]
Republicans could legalize community solar in Ohio soon, but with a caveat
Ohio lawmakers picked up legislation that ran out of time during last year’s session, this time changing the proposed “community solar” pilot to “community energy.” In a battleground state’s Capitol, Republican persuasion for community solar legislation might seem like a twist from typical in party lines. But Ohio’s lawmakers have been working on the legislation […]
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 […]
From development to bankability: How accurate modeling can save your solar project
In the high-stakes world of solar development, a project’s journey from concept to completion is fraught with challenges, with financing representing the ultimate hurdle. At the core of a project’s viability lies the energy assessment, where a single miscalculation can jeopardize millions and send a project back to the drawing board. There’s nothing more challenging […]
U.S. solar trade barriers take their toll
The United States has stepped up its use of tariffs on international trade partners, alongside the removal of many renewable energy incentives. Most imports from China are now subject to 30% tariffs and other barriers, along with further measures specific to solar products. InfoLink’s Alan Tu examines key changes in US policy and their likely […]
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 […]
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 […]