Solar Industry News
First Solar to invest $1.1 billion in fifth US panel factory
First Solar plans to spend as much as $1.1B on a new US factory, a sign that president Biden’s IRA is boosting domestic clean energy industry
We need cooler cities. Here’s how to build them.
Too many neighborhoods are not designed for today’s record-setting heat. “Smart surfaces” can make cities cooler and less vulnerable to flooding.
Renewable energy investments bring big benefits to Full Belly Farm
Full Belly Farm's new 61kW solar photovoltaic energy system produces enough energy to reduce total annual energy costs by 50%.
California Energy Commission approves new statewide VPP program
To meet CA's growing electricity needs, the CEC recently approved a new VPP program that would tap into thousands of batteries located at homes and businesses.
Amid record heat, solar farms help ease the strain on US power grids
According to US EIA, there are more than 5,000 solar farms across the US. In 2022, they produced 3.4% of the nation's electricity, helping to ease strain on grids.
FERC issues rule to speed grid connections for storage, renewables, other generators amid 2 TW backlog
The FERC approved a rule to speed up clogged interconnection processes that have left power generation and energy storage projects waiting years.
Rivian and partners are turning a huge Kentucky coal mine into an 800 MW solar farm
Rivian, BrightNight, and The Nature Conservancy will together turn one of the largest coal mines in the US into Kentucky’s largest solar farm.
Napa Valley winemaker adds solar arrays to four properties
Trinchero Family Estates (TFE) is making a significant investment in a series of sustainability projects, including solar installations at four CA wineries.
New Caltech wearable sensor sets record for solar power efficiency
The FPSC on Gao’s wearable sweat sensor has a record-breaking PCE exceeding 31 percent under indoor light illumination.
One year old, US climate law is already turbocharging clean energy technology
In less than a year, IRA has prompted investment in a massive buildout of battery and EV manufacturing across the states.
Hops for beer flourish under solar panels. They’re not the only crop thriving in the shade.
A farm in Bavaria is covering its hops with solar panels, providing electricity to 250 households and shading the plants from summer heat in the process.
Can America’s canals double as solar farms?
Research suggests that suspending solar arrays over canals can not only generate electricity but may also reduce water evaporation in drought-prone regions.
US solar electricity generation to exceed hydroelectricity in 2024, EIA predicts
EIA is forecasting that in 2024, electricity from solar energy will exceed the amount of energy coming from hydropower sources by about 14%.
New solar power & energy storage system uses former electric vehicle batteries
B2U Storage Solutions just announced it has made SEPV Cuyama, a solar power & energy storage installation using second-life EV batteries.
Poland’s solar capacity reaches 18GW as of Q3 2023
Poland boasted 18GW of solar PV projects with grid connection approvals issued as of the end of the third quarter of 2023
Amazon announces its first Michigan solar farm project
Amazon announced its first renewable energy project in Michigan: a new 85MW solar farm to be built in Van Buren County’s Lawrence Township.
Diocese of San Joaquin nears its renewable energy goal
The Diocese of San Joaquin and its 21 faith communities in Central Valley & Sierra Nevada are close to achieving their renewable energy goal.
California regulators release revised proposal for virtual solar net metering
The CPUC released a new proposed decision on November 8 regulating how solar is used and credited on multimeter properties.
Interior Department advances 15 onshore clean energy projects
Secretary Deb Haaland announced that the Interior Department is advancing 15 onshore renewable energy projects across the West.
Two major solar energy projects in Riverside County are fully operational
Two major solar projects in eastern Riverside County, CA, the Oberon Solar Project and the Arlington Solar Energy Center, are now both fully operational.
EV charging company signs PPAs for 100GWh of Netherlands solar and wind
European electric vehicle infrastructure company Allego has signed two ten-year PPAs for a total of 100GWh of annual solar & wind power output.