Author: solarenergy
By Brad Kramer May 8, 2024 A proposed 100 MW solar farm proposed by RWE Clean Energy in Prince George County, Virginia, is drawing opposition from residents who say it will harm their quality of life and threaten the future of local farmers and hunters.Residents of Moscow, Maine, are voting to ban commercial solar projects, joining a growing list of municipalities across the state that want to limit or ban large solar farms.An anonymously funded group is spreading misinformation about the 120 MW Frasier Solar project in Knox County, Ohio.Activists in Klickitat County, Washington, have fiercely opposed solar energy for…
Solar energy systems have become far more efficient, consistent, and effective in generating electricity and charging batteries compared to the solar systems of yesteryear. One of the significant improvements is the efficiency of the solar cells themselves, which has gotten considerable attention in the industry. Another major advancement has been MPPT in solar systems, which has enhanced both grid-tied arrays and solar arrays with batteries. Although solar PV panels and batteries are a winning combination, neither is particularly smart. When the solar photovoltaic panels don’t operate at the most efficient voltage for the batteries, they don’t receive as much current.…
Nautilus Solar Energy, on behalf of its subsidiary Nautilus US Power Holdco, and TurningPoint Energy announce their partnership for a 29.3 MW portfolio of community solar projects in Illinois. The portfolio of four community solar projects, located in Kankakee and Livingston counties, is expected to be operational in 2025. This partnership strengthens Nautilus’ position in community solar, particularly its rapid growth in Illinois, and is the first demonstration of TPE’s commitment to investing across $500 million in the Illinois Community Solar market. The portfolio of projects falls under Illinois’ Community Solar Program and helps support the state’s renewable energy goal…
Ademe, France’s energy and environment agency, has published an anti-greenwashing guide to help companies avoid misleading business practices in their operations and communications. Companies and institutions have access to an online test for initial self-assessments. April 12, 2024 Marie BeijerBy pv magazine FranceAdeme wants to make companies and institutions aware of greenwashing, a misleading commercial practice that uses deceptive or overly limited environmental commitments to sell or promote products, services or a corporate image.In July 2023, the agency published an anti-greenwashing guide to help companies understand the term and recognize key steps to avoid it.“It applies to any message that…
Siemens has completed work on a 200 kWp solar farm located at the University of York’s new Institute for Safe Autonomy. Image: Siemens. Siemens has completed a solar farm that is part of a £1.5 million project to improve the University of York’s research capabilities. The project, which will generate 200 kWp for the University of York’s new Institute for Safe Autonomy, aims to increase the university’s research capabilities in developing and testing robots and other autonomous systems for inspecting and maintaining solar panels. The purpose-built Institute for Safe Autonomy provides collaborative work and testing spaces for more than 100…
Improving access to solar energy in underserved communities in Southern California The Clean Power Alliance of Southern California has released its quarterly report highlighting progress in its Disadvantaged Communities Green Tariff and Community Solar Green Tariff programs. These initiatives aim to extend the benefits of renewable energy to low-income and underserved areas, supporting California’s goals for social equity and environmental sustainability. While no new projects started this quarter, existing programs continue to deliver clean, lower-cost energy to countless households, supported by allocated capacities of 12.19 MW for the Green Tariff for Underserved Communities and 3.37 MW for the Green Community…
A 4.4 MW solar project with 5B modular PV technology has started in Australia. The project includes 2 MW/1 MWh battery storage systems from British supplier Aggreko. May 8, 2024 pv magazine Aggreko, a UK specialist in mobile energy solutions, has commissioned a new 4.4 MW solar project to supply renewable energy to Northern Star Resources’ Porphyry gold mine in Australia, under a long-term agreement for the purchase of energy (PPA).The Porphyry project features Australian modular solar manufacturer 5B’s deployable Maverick technology and two Aggreko Y.Cube battery energy storage systems totaling 2 MW/1 MWh.The Maverick system is a ground-mounted solar…
The 5.6 MWh BESS will store excess energy generated on site with solar panels. Image: GRAHAM. Engineering consultancy GRAHAM has successfully installed a state-of-the-art battery energy storage system (BESS) at Dunmore Point Water Treatment Works (WTW) on behalf of long-standing customer Northern Ireland Water (NI Water). The 5.6 MWh BESS will store the excess energy generated on site with approximately 24,000 solar panels. During periods of low customer demand, NI Water will store this renewable energy for later use during peak times. As a result, the company will be able to power its operations and keep water flowing at a…
The Lao government has signed an agreement with a private company to launch a forest carbon credit initiative in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from forest destruction and degradation. Representatives of the Lao government and AIDC attend the signing ceremony of the agreement on May 8, 2024. (Photo: thestar.com.my) Vientiane (VNA) – The Lao government has signed an agreement with a private company to launch a forest carbon credit initiative in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from forest destruction and forest degradation. According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation between the Lao Ministry of…
The Chinese module manufacturer said the new efficiency record was confirmed by the German Institute for Solar Energy Research (ISFH). May 8, 2024 Emiliano Bellini Chinese solar panel manufacturer Longi has achieved an energy conversion efficiency of 27.30% for an HBC solar cell. The German Institute for Solar Energy Research (ISFH) has confirmed the result.The new efficiency record beats the previous world record of 27.09%, which was also set by Longi at the end of last year.At the time, Longi said the result was made possible by a new laser graphics process that costs less than conventional, expensive photolithography processes.“This…