Solar Industry News
These California programs steer solar+batteries to low-income households
California’s new solar policy leaves low-income families behind. Community energy providers, nonprofits and vendors have some creative workarounds.
New solar cell turns any surface into power source
MIT engineers have developed ultralight fabric solar cells that can quickly and easily turn any surface into a power source.
Sacramento, Swell aggregate residential solar + battery storage
SMUD and Swell Energy have signed an agreement for Swell to act as the aggregator for the new My Energy Optimizer Partner+ program.
EU solar power soars by almost 50% in 2022: Which country installed the most?
Solar power in Europe has soared by almost 50 percent in 2022. Germany installed more solar than any other country, adding almost 8 GW.
Uzbekistan makes strides towards a greener future through solar energy
Uzbekistan has set an ambitious goal - to generate 30% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030.
Recent advancements in solar-powered aircraft
Recent advancement in solar-powered aircraft is the development of the Zephyr S aircraft, designed to remain in the air for extended periods.
Solar power to propel small but mighty water-cleaning robot
La Plata National University and Recyclamar Pampa Argentina teamed up to deploy solar power on a self-propelled, water-cleaning robot.
CAISO adopts energy storage, imbalance market rules to improve grid reliability
CAISO has approved three reliability improvements for storage management that are set to take effect this summer.
One farmer set off a solar energy boom in rural Minnesota; 10 years later, here’s how it worked out
Eichten’s solar purchase 10yrs ago was similarly the start of something big. Neighbors and clean energy companies began to see opportunities.
For energy transition equity, communities must run community solar
Community-owned community solar provides an example of what a more equitable, decentralized clean energy transition could look like.
Utilities rush to install storage batteries in Texas, California
Within three years, a surge of large-scale battery projects is expected to come online on Texas and California power grids.
New clean energy investments have topped $40B since the IRA passed, report says
Clean energy investments soared in a recent three-month period, totaling $40 billion and equaling the entire amount invested in 2021.
Grassroots buy-in will be vital to transmission buildout, say clean energy experts
As clean energy production ramps up, transmission reform is becoming a major priority for the renewables industry.
South America’s largest floating solar farm is now paired with hydropower
South America’s largest floating solar farm is now online, and it’s paired with hydropower, which boosts energy reliability and production.
Solar and wind generated more electricity than coal for record 5 months
Solar and wind power hit a new record this year, generating more U.S. power than coal for the first five months of the year.
Solar-powered reactor converts CO2 and plastic waste into sustainable fuels
Researchers from University of Cambridge developed a solar-powered reactor that converts captured CO2 & plastic waste into sustainable fuels.
This cement company is installing a 25 MW onsite solar farm
Holcim US is going to install a 25-megawatt solar farm at its Michigan cement factory that will generate more than 30% of the plant’s power.
California’s storage portfolio could provide grid benefits of up to $1.6B per year by 2032, report finds
CA’s energy storage portfolio could yield net grid benefits of up to $1.6B a year by 2032 as the state looks to expand grid-scale battery installations to 13.6 GW
Solar charging depot for 96 electric trucks coming to Livermore, California
The EBCE Board has approved providing $4.5M in financing to Forum Mobility to support the development of a solar electric truck charging depot in Livermore, CA.
Virtual power plants are coming to save the grid sooner than you might think
Networks of thousands of home-based batteries, also known as virtual power plants, could be key to a cleaner, more reliable electricity system.
Facing brutal heat, the Texas electric grid has a new ally: Solar power
Texas is fast becoming a leader in solar power. So far this year, about 7% of the electric power used has come from solar, and 31% from wind.