Solar Industry News
UCLA engineers design solar roofs to harvest energy for greenhouses
A team at UCLA has designed a device that explores a new, viable application of solar cells which does not require large plots of land.
Some San Diego County residents given option for cleaner, cheaper power
Residents and businesses in unincorporated areas of San Diego County are being offered cleaner and cheaper energy as an alternative to SDG&E.
Wind, solar, and batteries increasingly account for more new US power capacity additions
In 2023, wind, solar and battery storage account for 82% of new utility-scale generating capacity in the US.
Italy hits 25 GW milestone
Italy deployed 2.48GW of new PV systems in 2022, with the residential solar segment accounting for almost 50% of the total installed capacity.
Chart: Who’s the leader in utility-scale solar — California or Texas?
After several years running of massive solar capacity buildouts, Texas is rapidly gaining ground on California, the long-established renewables leader.
US developers finish solar carport at recreational vehicle resort in California
US-based developers have installed 3,500 solar panels on vehicle canopies at a campground in southern California.
California ups renewables target again with new plan to add 85GW by 2035
The CPUC approved a plan that will set the state on a course to adding 86,000 megawatts of new renewable energy resources to the grid by 2035.
DOE breaks ground on concentrating solar power facility in New Mexico
The U.S. DOE announced that it has broken ground on the Generation 3 Particle Pilot Plant, a concentrating solar-thermal pilot project in New Mexico.
Rooftop solar advocates request new CPUC hearing
Rooftop solar advocates opposed to the CPUC's recent decision are petitioning for a chance to be heard again.
Community solar is about to get a surge in federal funding. So what is community solar?
Community solar is poised to become much more common thanks to a new $7 billion fund tied to the Inflation Reduction Act.
Solar to soon offer grid more capacity than coal in Australia
Industry consultant SunWiz reports that almost 1/3 of homes in Australia have solar panels, the highest in the world, and will soon outpace coal's grid capacity.
Unique solar peaker plant breaks ground in California
Arevon Energy and San Diego Community Power broke ground on the Vikings Energy Farm, a solar + storage power plant in Holtville, CA.
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.