Solar Industry News
USA solar panel manufacturing capacity soared 71% in Q1 2024
A record-setting 11GW of new solar module manufacturing capacity came online in the USduring Q1 2024, the largest quarter of solar manufacturing growth in American history.
Solar modules deployed in France in 1992 still provide 75.9% of original output power
New testing conducted at France’s oldest PV system have shown that its solar modules can still provide performance values in line with what the manufacturers promised.
IEA: Solar PV investment to surpass all technologies combined in 2024
Investment in solar PV is expected to surpass all other generation technologies combined with over US$500B, according to a report from IEA.
The US is putting enough solar to power 70,000 homes on old nuclear weapons sites
The US Department of Energy (DOE) is going to repurpose sites previously used in the nuclear weapons program into solar farms.
World’s biggest solar farm goes online, big enough to power a country
The world’s biggest solar plant has come online in China, capable of powering a small country with its annual capacity of more than 6B KWh.
Agrivoltaics boost food & energy production in Asia
Agrivoltaics offers a promising solution to the complex task of harmonizing energy production and agriculture.
Solar passes 100% of power demand in California
For 55 days in a row, electricity from solar, wind, and water power exceeded 100% of power demand on CA’s main grid for part of the day.
This Spanish city plans to turn its cemeteries into the country’s largest urban solar farm
Valencia, a city in Spain is starting to use its cemeteries to generate renewable power. The project has been dubbed RIP (Requiem in Power).
Senate passes bill to partially restore solar incentives
SB 1374 removes a burdensome barrier and restores the ability for customers to self-consume the energy they produce on their property.
Battery-powered California faces lower blackout risk this summer
California expects to avoid rolling blackouts this summer as new solar plants and large batteries plug into the state’s grid at a rapid clip.
Austrian startup offers double-axis tracking system for agrivoltaics
Austrian startup Anywhere.solar has released a new double-axis tracking system for applications in agrivoltaic projects.
Solar-powered floating islands could help to regrow coral reefs
A trio of hexagonal islands could generate solar electricity to power a process that accelerates coral growth.
Check out Michael Phelps’ massive home solar + battery system
Olympic Champion and Team Panasonic Brand Ambassador Michael Phelps embraces solar at home with Panasonic EVERVOLT Total Home System.
Peaches, grapes, & the agrivoltaic farm of the future
Bifacial solar panels and other crop-friendly technologies are expanding the field of opportunities for agrivoltaic development.
World’s largest solar roof powers Dalaman Airport
Dalaman Airport has unveiled the world’s largest solar roof, setting a new standard for renewable energy use in aviation.
Labour’s ‘rooftop revolution’ to deliver solar power to millions of UK homes
Ed Miliband sets new rules on solar panels and approves three giant solar farms as Labour seeks to end years of Tory inaction
California Energy Commission gives cities and counties grants to adopt automated solar permitting
The California Energy Commission announced new grants totaling $18.9M to help 334 cities & counties automate residential solar permits.
In a first, a solar microgrid will directly power an industrial plant
Timet’s facility in WV will use solar and batteries to make titanium products used in everything from airplanes to pacemakers.
Solar panels to power 130 healthcare facilities in Ukraine
Solar power units will be installed at 130 primary healthcare facilities in Ukraine, allowing them to significantly reduce electricity costs.
Solar & wind uptake to reach 5.4 TWac from 2024 to 2033
Global solar deployment to add 3.8 TWac of new project capacity by 2033 compared to 1.6 TW of wind power, 640% growth for energy storage
First solar-covered canal in US to go online this summer
Work is nearly complete on a pilot project erecting solar canopies over a canal on tribal land south of Phoenix.