Solar Industry News
California bill requiring utilities to create community solar programs reaches governor’s desk
The California State Legislature passed AB 2316 to create community renewable energy programs for Californians with low income.
US-based silicon-to-solar-module supply chain is on the way
With the Inflation Reduction Act now established, attention turns to broader development of a domestic solar PV supply chain.
First Solar announces new US panel factory following the Inflation Reduction Act
First Solar, the largest solar panel manufacturer in the U.S., said Tuesday that it will build a new panel factory in the US.
Solar-powered bikes prepare cups of coffee in Germany
Germany’s Liontron can prepare 300 cups of coffee a day from the PV modules and storage tech on its bicycles for beverage vendors.
California’s Senate passes Solar Access Act to speed up residential PV permitting
California’s Solar Access Act, aimed at decreasing approval times for residential solar and solar-plus-storage systems, has passed the state’s Senate.
Southern Africa’s largest food manufacturer will install solar at its manufacturing sites
Tiger Brands says onsite renewable energy solutions will be installed at 35 manufacturing sites across South Africa by 2030.
Solar parking lots are a win-win renewable energy solution. Why aren’t they everywhere?
Solar panels and parking lots can be a good combination as it provides cheaper, cleaner solar energy and a more pleasant parking experience.
More rooftop solar needed as heat and drought threatens California’s electric grid
Soaring temperatures above 100 degrees causing blackouts in California shows the need for more rooftop solar.
New CPUC proposed decision on NEM 3.0 expected by September 29
The CALSSA is expecting the CPUC to release its proposed decision on net metering on or before September 29.
EDF Renewables’ 620-MW California solar portfolio is completed
EDF Renewables' Palen Solar site is fully operational. The site consists of 4 projects totaling 620 MWDC of solar and 200 MWh of energy storage.
Porsche signs 25-year solar energy deal
Porsche plans to build a solar power microgrid at its US headquarters in Atlanta, reducing its annual carbon emissions by 3.2 million pounds.
Extended property tax exclusion will keep clean energy investments in California
The California State Legislature recently approved a two-year extension of a property tax exclusion for solar projects.
Solar panels could be installed in the spaces between railway tracks in world first
Roadsides, reservoirs & farms are all finding space for solar systems. Germany is experimenting with adding solar cells to railway sleepers.
New California bill aims for more solar over parking lots and along highways
SB 49, authored by Senator Becker, encourages solar canopies over parking lots and directs California to plan for solar power along its highways.
More than 100 groups ask CPUC to delay NEM 3.0
Dozens of groups will tell the CPUC to revise the new rooftop solar plan to make solar more affordable for low-income communities.
Hancock kicks-off solar project at Santa Maria campus
Allan Hancock College has agreed to terms to develop a 2.4 megawatt solar energy system at its Santa Maria, CA campus.
Aptera awarded $21M grant from CEC to help bring solar EVs to production
Solar electric vehicle startup Aptera Motors was awarded a $21 million grant which will support its Solar Mobility Manufacturing Project in California.
Floating solar panels could completely power thousands of cities
Researchers found that 6,256 cities across 124 countries could meet all electricity demand from solar deployed on nearby water reservoirs.
New push to create solar panel recycling program in California
In this video from CBS News Bay Area, Kelsi Thorud looks at the push to make sure that solar panels stay green all the way through their life cycle.
Floating solar and trash mountains: How the Netherlands became Europe’s solar power leader
The Netherlands has become the solar power leader of Europe by using unconventional methods such as incorporating solar into farmland and lakes.
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.