Solar Industry News
Energy workforce grew 3.8% last year; clean energy jobs increased in every state
The energy sector added almost 300,000 jobs last year, about a 3.8% growth rate from 2021 to 2022, according to an annual study by the US DOE.
Houston skyscrapers are converting to solar
Brookfield Properties, which has 10 downtown skyscrapers in its Houston portfolio, is partnering to build a massive solar plant to power the buildings.
Solar microgrid offers Soboba tribe independence, with model many users could adapt
By this time next year, nearly 3,000 solar panels will span the roof of Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, powering the flashy slot machines, air conditioned hotel rooms and golf course facilities.
South America’s largest floating solar farm launched in Colombia
Noria Energy launched a 1.5MW floating solar power system on the reservoir at Colombia’s Urrá Dam, the largest project of its kind in South America.
Here are the top solar power states in the USA (Sunshine State just 16th)
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has released its Spring 2023 Solar Industry Update, and The Sunshine State ranks 16th in solar adoption.
A Swiss startup is mounting solar panels on used wind turbine blades
A Swiss startup is using reclaimed wind turbine blades instead of metal beams as horizontal supports for solar panels.
Local solar and storage are essential to the electrification movement
The key to lowering the cost of electrification is energy management and demand response, starting with local solar and storage.
Roof-integrated solar takes 44% less time to install on new construction
NREL researchers found that the normalization of retrofit RIPV solar projects in the installation process could speed up installations.
Global solar demand to grow by 40% in 2023 as prices fall and capacity grows
Global demand for solar PV could rise up to 40% in 2023 as favourable economics in the solar sector combine with broad policies.
Feds auction NV public land leases for record $105 million, highlighting solar boom
Federal land managers auctioned off thousands of acres in Nevada’s Amargosa desert for solar development, resulting in $105M in new leases.
China on course to reach solar and wind power goals five years ahead of schedule
China set a target of 1,200GW of utility-scale wind & solar capacity by 2030, but a new GEM report says it is set to meet the goal 5 years early.
Solar power proves its worth as heat wave grips the state
Texas has seen a boom in solar power in recent years, and experts say that’s helped the state grid weather an intense June heat wave.
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.
California’s PG&E just deployed its first renewable remote grid
PG&E, California’s largest utility, just brought its first renewable remote grid online, in a nature preserve in Sonoma County.
Solar led record Q3 renewables installations in the US with 3.1GW
During the third quarter of 2023, renewables have installed a record 5.5GW of utility-scale renewable capacity, led by solar, according to ACP.
Do Californians want solar and wind in their backyards? New poll says yes
According to a new poll, most Golden State voters would have no objection to a renewable energy project in their backyard.
Here’s how foundations are bringing solar to lower-income communities
Charitable foundations are using a variety of strategies to get solar panels for health centers, schools and other community buildings.
Education and health bodies in California warn against VNEM changes – “We all lose”
A coalition of School Board representatives, healthcare advocates and “climate leaders” in the North Bay area of California has spoken out against the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) proposal to alter the virtual net energy metering scheme (VNEM) in the state.
Los Angeles region to accelerate clean energy efforts in run-up to 2028 Olympics
LA-region city and other groups published a road map to hasten greenhouse gas emissions reductions in advance of the Summer Olympics 2028.