Author: solarenergy

An installation by Maine Solar Solutions. Local solar installer Key solar solutions has introduced a 30-year warranty on solar energy components, believed to be the first long-term warranty offered by a solar installer in Maine. “We understand that choosing to invest in a solar electric system is an important decision for Maine homeowners,” said Sam Zuckerman, CEO of Maine Solar Solutions. “That’s why we’ve introduced a first-in-Maine 30-year warranty. It’s not just about providing the longest coverage in the state; it’s about providing our customers with peace of mind and fixed costs over the life of their solar system.” The…

The European Commission has selected the winners of the European Hydrogen Bank’s first auction, with bids below €0.50 per kg, while Chile and Namibia unveiled new hydrogen plans. May 3, 2024 Sergio Matalucci Image: Richard Parmiter, FlickrThe European Commission has has awarded €720 million to seven renewable hydrogen projects in Europe, selected through the first competitive bidding process under the European Hydrogen Bank. The seven projects were the winners of an oversubscribed auction That A total of 132 bids were submitted. Together, the winning bidders plan to produce 1.58 million tons of renewable hydrogen over ten years. said the European…

Solar installation solutions provider QuickBOLT’s Butyl Bottom Deck Mount has received Notice of Acceptance (NOA) approval from Miami-Dade County, the nation’s authority on structural testing for hurricane zones. This approval (Miami-Dade County, Florida. NOA 23-1122.07. Expires 04/25/2029) indicates that Butyl Bottom Deck Mount has met and surpassed the rigorous testing requirements mandated by Miami-Dade County for building products and materials, particularly in high-velocity hurricane zones. Butyl Bottom Deck Mount from QuickBOLT The Butyl Bottom Deck Mount by QuickBOLT is a deck-mounted attachment for solar installations on pitched rooftops. Its key features include a T-foot-shaped mount backed with peel-and-place butyl adhesive…

Bighorn Solar in Colorado. Credit: McCarthy Building Cos. The Colorado Renewable Energy Siting Coalition, made up of six conservation and environmental groups, has welcomed the introduction of a study bill that will examine current pathways for siting utility-scale renewable energy projects and assess the impact of these facilities on wildlife and communities to evaluate. Sponsored by Senator Chris Hansen and Senate President Steve Fenberg, SB24-212 requires the Colorado Energy Office, in collaboration with the state departments of Local Affairs and Natural Resources, to develop a repository of model codes and regulations for renewable energy projects and for Colorado Parks and…

With the so-called “network checker”, residential PV customers in Belgium can check whether there have been inverter failures in their local area. It comes after Belgian grid operator Fluvius launched a compensation scheme for those who are not reconnected within 30 working days of an interruption. May 3, 2024 Patrick Jowett Image: Jasminum Officinale/UnsplashBelgian electricity grid operator Fluvius has launched a new tool that allows all residential PV customers to see if there are any outstanding complaints regarding inverter failures in their region.The launch of the so-called “network controller” follows Fluvius’ announcement that it will compensate residential PV systems if…

In an era where energy independence is increasingly valued, DIY battery banks have emerged as a viable solution for individuals seeking autonomy over their power supply. These self-assembled systems allow users to store energy generated from renewable sources such as solar panels or wind turbines, providing a reliable backup during power outages or a sustainable off-grid power solution. In this guide, we’ll walk you through building your own DIY battery bank, from understanding the basics to solving common problems.Understanding battery banksBattery banks are the heart of any off-grid or backup power system, storing electricity for later use. They consist of…

If delivered, the Derrymeen battery will be the largest installed BESS facility in Northern Ireland with a 2-hour runtime. Image: SSE Renewables. Green energy developer SSE Renewables has purchased a 100MW/200MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) from Heron Energy in Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. If delivered, the Derrymeen battery will be the largest installed BESS facility in Northern Ireland with a 2-hour runtime. Subject to a final investment decision by SSE Renewables, the excavation-ready project will be built on a greenfield site outside Coalisland, approximately five miles from Dungannon. If final delivery is approved, construction could begin early next…

Finland-based optical solutions company ICS Intelligent Control Systems Ltd has announced a power improvement of approximately 3.8% in heterojunction (HJT) solar panels when combined with the patented Solar Energy Optics (SEO) light redirecting film during a test. Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE).The emerging HJT solar cell technology can achieve higher efficiency than traditional c-Si cells and even cells processed with PERC techniques. But the problem with power loss in the edge area of HJT cells has long been an obstacle to unlocking the optimal efficiency of these cells. By applying the ICS SEO film to the inside…

University of Michigan researchers have found that the value of rooftop solar will increase by between 5% and 15% in a range of US cities under moderate climate change by mid-century, and by as much as 20% by the end of the century. May 3, 2024 Patrick JowettResearchers at the University of Michigan have found that climate change will increase the future value of rooftop solar panels in the United States by as much as 20% by the end of the century.In “Climate change will affect the value and optimal use of solar energy on residential roofs”, which was recently…

An efficient DC inverter improves the sustainability of microgrids A new DC-DC power converter developed by Kobe University promises improved energy storage and conversion efficiency and marks an important step in the advancement of microgrid technologies. Designed to integrate seamlessly with various DC energy sources, this new converter improves system stability and simplicity with unprecedented operational efficiency. Electrical energy is classified into two types: AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current). Despite AC being the chosen standard for national electricity grids, the dependence on DC power by solar panels, batteries, electric vehicles and computers makes conversion necessary, often with significant…