Author: solarenergy
The Trump administration cancels a major solar project in Nevada The Trump administration has canceled the proposed Esmeralda 7 Solar Project in Nevada, which would have been one of the largest solar energy facilities in the world. Bureau of Land Management officials announced Thursday that an environmental impact assessment of the proposed renewable energy facility has been canceled, which in turn cancels the project, Politico reported. The canceled project would have built seven solar energy generation projects at the Esmeralda site, which would have covered 118,000 acres of land in Nevada’s Esmeralda County and about 30 miles west of Tonopah…
Coolsheet has begun a commercial pilot of its Australian-made photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system at the North Sydney Olympic Pool, converting standard solar panels into hybrid units that generate both electricity and heat. October 10, 2025 Ev Foley By pv magazine Australia Sydney-based climate technology startup Coolsheet has launched a commercial-scale pilot of its Australian-made PVT system, a patented aluminum heat exchange panel that converts standard solar panels into hybrid units for both new and retrofit projects. The pilot is underway at the North Sydney Olympic Pool, designed to maximize on-site renewable generation from limited roof space by attaching Coolsheet heat…
Commercial lending platform Sunstone credit has released a new loan specifically designed for standalone commercial energy storage: SOL. Sunstone’s SOL offers businesses of all sizes an easy and affordable way to purchase battery storage systems and associated upgrades without having to pay any cash upfront. Key features include: Competitive financing with a fixed interest rate and predictable monthly payments Conditions up to 10 years or the guaranteed battery life Streamlined application and acceptance process for speed and efficiency Custom financing for projects from $50,000 to $6 million Availability for both standalone battery projects and upgrades of existing solar installations “We…
In a new weekly update for pv magazineSolcast, a DNV company, reports that September was dominated by a persistent high-pressure system centered over Eastern Europe. This atmospheric blocking pattern suppressed cloud formation and created ideal conditions for solar radiation over a wide swath of the continent. October 10, 2025 Solcast Europe’s solar industry saw mixed radiation patterns in September as widespread high-pressure conditions delivered above-average radiation across much of the continent, even as severe floods and storms disrupted solar potential in key regions such as France, Italy and the United Kingdom. This variability is expected to continue, with a clear…
The benefits of solar panels for businesses are numerous, including significantly lower utility costs and the ability to use sustainable energy for a cleaner environment. But how would a company interested in solar panels on their commercial building get started? In this article, we’ll discuss the electrical infrastructure a building needs to accommodate solar panels and any additional regulations a business needs to follow when designing a commercial solar project. Commercial Electrical Infrastructure Compatibility for Solar Panels When looking to install solar panels for commercial buildings, it is important to match the solar PV system with the electrical infrastructure of the building.…
SiteCapture has announced its partnership with Palmetto LightReach to support third party ownership (TPO) business models for solar contractors. With a new direct integration, all necessary photos and data captured with SiteCapture sync seamlessly with Palmetto LightReach, ensuring lender documentation is complete, accurate, and ready for quick review. The SiteCapture and Palmetto LightReach integration enables significant efficiency gains for solar EPCs: Seamless Photo and Data Transfer – Photos, videos, and documentation captured in the SiteCapture mobile app sync directly to Palmetto LightReach for funding milestone assessments. Pre-built mobile form templates – Pre-built forms tailored to TPO project requirements make it…
How outdated solar panels can fuel a second life The global adoption of rooftop solar in Australia is creating a growing waste problem, as many photovoltaic systems are prematurely retired and sent to landfill. A team from the University of South Australia outlines how standards, incentives, testing and certification for reuse can extend the life of panels and reduce the carbon footprint of solar energy. The study led by UniSA PhD candidate Ishika Chhillar assesses technical, economic and regulatory barriers to reuse and maps a mitigation pathway to build a credible secondary market for used panels. Recycling alone will not…
UAE-based Ignite has acquired Engie Energy Access, creating Africa’s largest off-grid solar and mini-grid operator, serving 15 million people. October 10, 2025 Marie Beijer By pv magazine France French energy group Engie has sold its off-grid energy business in Africa to UAE-based Ignite for an undisclosed sum. Ignite, based in Abu Dhabi since early 2025 and acquired together with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office Engie Energy Access (EEA), Engie’s division for solar mini-grid projects across Africa. The new entity, called Ignite Energy Access, will be the continent’s largest off-grid electrification company, serving 15 million users in 12 countries and aiming…
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has officially adopted a new U.S. national standard developed by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) to increasing transparency of the solar and storage supply chain and help companies comply with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) traceability requirements. The newly approved standard, ANSI/SEIA 101provides a section that manufacturers and importers can follow to trace the origin of products, from raw materials to finished products. ANSI/SEIA 101 is based on real-world examples of solar product shipments detained and released by customs officials and includes input from numerous stakeholders, including manufacturers, developers and third-party auditors.…
The soil microbe mineral battery stores sunlight to break down antibiotics in the dark Researchers have discovered how soil communities can store sunlight as usable energy long after nightfall. A team from Kunming University of Science and Technology and the University of Massachusetts Amherst reports a bio-photovoltage soil microbe battery that stores solar charge and later drives the degradation of contaminating antibiotics without light. In laboratory tests, the common soil bacterium Bacillus megaterium interacted with iron minerals to form a living film that behaves like a rechargeable geochemical capacitor. Under illumination, the iron-bacteria matrix collected electrons; in the dark, the…