Solar Industry News
Startup takes new approach to space-based solar power
Aetherflux aims to launch a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit to collect solar power and beam it to Earth using infrared lasers.
Quantifiying benefits of vehicle-integrated photovoltaics
Researchers developed a model to quantify the benefits of VIPV on the energy needs of 3 different sizes of electric vehicle in Graz, Austria
Illinois moving to “Smart Solar Billing” in 2025
Smart Solar Billing is set to begin in IL on Jan. 1, 2025. Solar advocates have launched a website to teach consumers about the new system.
The $20B US ‘green bank’ program just funded its first project
An IRA program meant to expand climate investment in underserved markets has its first target — a $31M commercial solar effort in Arkansas.
Green roofs and solar chimneys are here – experts say it’s time to use them
Green roofs, solar chimneys, passive housing can cool homes & reduce energy use as the US faces rising temperatures and energy demands.
This chart shows how California is massively extending solar use into the evening
As solar grew in CA batteries were added to store excess midday energy and release it during evening peak demand, addressing the "duck curve"
California bill requires utilities to evaluate grid-enhancing technologies
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 1006 into law, requiring utilities to evaluate GETs at least every two years in transmission planning.
Solar recycling innovation keeps solar panels out of landfills
SolarPanelRecycling.com uses AI to recover key materials from used solar panels, promoting a circular economy and reducing waste.
First Solar inaugurates new $1.1 billion Alabama solar manufacturing facility
First Solar has inaugurated a new $1.1 billion fully vertically integrated thin-film solar manufacturing facility in Lawrence County, Alabama
Under a Texas sun, agrivoltaics offer farmers a new way to make money
Solar grazing helps farmers feed their flocks while the expanding solar industry provides more clean energy to the grid.
Floating solar project withstands super typhoon Capricorn
The 16MW floating solar project in Guangdong withstood the typhoon, proving its durability & resilience to strong winds in adverse conditions
New JFK terminal will utilize novel microgrid, NYC’s largest solar array
New York City kicks off Climate Week 2024 with construction of a massive microgrid project at JFK Airport's New Terminal One.
Amazon prefers renewables in Asia as nuclear still elusive
Amazon is focusing on wind and solar for green power in Asia, unlike other tech firms exploring nuclear energy for data centers.
IEA forecasts over 4,000 GW of new solar by 2030
The IEA says renewables are on course to meet almost half of global electricity demand by 2030, with solar driving 80% of capacity growth.
Building-integrated photovoltaic system integrating PCM on sides
Researchers from China have designed a novel building-integrated photovoltaics system that integrates a layer of PCM on each side of the wall
Norway’s national football stadium has the world’s largest vertical solar roof
Vertical solar panels are proving to be a new solution for northern regions, yielding 20 per cent more energy than traditional panels.
Walmart invests in 74 rooftop community solar projects in two states
Walmart announced to invest in 74 Solar Landscape community solar projects in MD and IL, creating nearly 43 MWDC of solar capacity.
660 million will lack electricity access by 2030, off-grid solar could provide power for 398 million
By 2023, off-grid solar solutions provided electricity to 560M people, needing more investment to help 398 million in energy poverty by 2030.
China just solved the biggest problem in silicon photovoltaics by creating 100% recycled panels
Trina Solar has launched the first fully recycled silicon solar panel, using 37 patented technologies to reclaim materials from old modules.
Invisible solar panels hide in railroad tracks to thwart critics
Swiss firm Sun-Ways is testing a system to discreetly install solar panels between railway tracks, showcasing innovative photovoltaic design.
Solar-powered desalination system requires no extra batteries
MIT engineers have built a new desalination system that runs with the rhythms of the sun which requires no extra batteries.