Solar Industry News
It’s time to combat utility opposition to solar
Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar & Storage Association business group, will moderate a talk on abuse of monopoly positions by utilities at the Empower 2022 virtual summit.
Texas solar and wind resources saved consumers nearly $28 billion over 12 years
Solar and wind energy reduced wholesale energy costs in Texas by $7.4 billion in the first eight months of this year and $28 billion over the last 12 years.
City of Santa Barbara to establish residential solar microgrids
Santa Barbara, CA will establish its own virtual power plant through residential solar microgrids using Electriq Power's PowerPod 2 ESS.
Agrovoltaics could help California crops, if the economics pan out
Emerging research suggests growing tomato plants below and between solar panels could help the country’s billion-dollar-plus tomato industry, especially in places where it faces increasing stress from heat and drought.
Texas company to increase module manufacturing capacity to 1 GW
Mission Solar will increase capacity at its existing site situated on 86 acres and expects to reach its 1-GW goal by 2024.
Students propose solar solution to Puerto Rico’s electricity woes
Students have developed a policy proposal urging government officials in Puerto Rico and Washington DC to promote rooftop solar power.
Los Angeles County deploys first solar trash interceptor vessel in North America
The Trash Interceptor 007 solar-powered trash collection device aims to prevent 60 tons of trash from entering Santa Monica Bay.
French farmers are covering crops with solar panels to produce food and energy at the same time
French farmers are covering crops with solar panels to produce food and energy at the same time.
Could US solar electricity reach $0/kWh?
A new Credit Suisse report suggests that from 2025 - 2032, the US could see solar & wind power purchase agreements signed for under $0.01/kWh.
How your state ranks on fostering community-led clean energy
Policies can help or hinder communities that want to take charge of their own energy future. Canary’s chart of the week shows how U.S. states stack up.
Home solar panel adoption continues to rise in the US
Residential solar power installations rose by 34% from 2.9 gigawatts in 2020 to 3.9 gigawatts in 2021, according to data from the US EIA.
California’s 1.4-GWh Crimson battery goes online
Canadian Solar Inc announced on Tuesday that the huge Crimson energy storage system, started operations in California.
BLM advances clean energy in California
BLM has approved the Sunlight Storage II Battery Energy Storage System in Riverside County, adding up to 300 MW of energy storage capacity to the CA grid.
Governor Newsom unveils new proposals to build California’s clean future, faster
Gov. Newsom has introduced new proposals that would streamline clean tech projects across the state so CA can reach its world-leading climate goals.
Discover the largest solar farm in California (and what lives around it)
Solar Star is in Rosamond, California. The area is predominantly desert & agricultural and several wild animal species can be found there.
US greenlights major transmission line for renewable energy in Western states
The US government is greenlighting a multibillion-dollar transmission line that would send renewable electricity from New Mexico to big cities in the West.
Editorial: California needs a lot more solar. Why not put panels along highways and parking lots?
California needs to think creatively and find ways to put more solar energy in already built-out places, including rooftops and parking lots.
Off-grid solar brings light, time and income to remotest villages
In some of the world’s most remote places, off-grid solar systems are bringing villagers more hours in the day, more money & gatherings.
Rooftop solar panels could power a third of US manufacturing, study finds
Companies that make textiles, apparel, and furniture would benefit the most from solar energy, according to new research.
DOE directs $26M to PG&E, ConEd and other projects
The US Department of Energy (DOE) will offer $50m for community-based clean energy projects in rural areas & $26m for projects that demonstrate how clean energy supports power grid.
California mining site to install solar + storage system
Imerys is partnering with TotalEnergies to install a 15-MW solar system paired with a 7.5-MWh energy storage system at Imerys’s Lompoc facility in Santa Barbara County, CA.