Author: solarenergy
Meadow Ridge, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Redding, Connecticut, recently powered a 763 kW solar project. It is the long-term vision of Meadow Ridge’s resident-led Solar Committee and broke ground in August with the support of Senior Care Development and Benchmark Senior Living, the community’s ownership and management company. “This is an exciting day on many levels,” said Meadow Ridge Chief Operating Officer Brett Mehlman. “We can all feel good about making this investment in the future of our community and our planet, while realizing immediate benefits. By 2025, we expect that more than 20% of the power…
SunVest Solar, a renewable energy project developer, has completed construction of a 19.5-MW solar project at Charter Steel’s manufacturing facility in Saukville, Wisconsin. The landmark project is the largest behind-the-meter solar installation, directly powering Charter Steel — Wisconsin’s single largest energy user — with clean, local electricty. Credit: SunVest Solar “We are thrilled to have completed this significant milestone in Wisconsin’s renewable energy landscape,” said Bram Walters, CEO of SunVest Solar. “This project builds on our deep history in Wisconsin and sets a new benchmark for behind-the-meter solar in the state. It’s a testament to how solar energy can empower…
A research team in China improved the efficiency and stability of an inverted perovskite cell using a co-assembled approach to incorporate self-assembling monolayers into the hole transport layer. December 20, 2024 Emiliano Bellini A group of researchers from China Hangzhou Dianzi University has developed an inverted perovskite solar cell based on a hole transport layer (HTL) with a self-assembling monolayer (SAM) aimed at passivating defects and increasing efficiency. Inverted perovskite cells have a device structure known as “pin”, where hole-selective contact p is at the bottom of the intrinsic perovskite layer i with electron transport layer n at the top.…
The fossil fuel-rich region of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is facing increasing pressure to diversify its energy mix. Although solar energy is cheap, it faces significant socio-political and economic challenges. December 19, 2024 Tannishtha Das By pv magazine 24/12-25/01 The energy economy of the MENA region revolves around oil and gas, which account for approximately 97% of energy consumption. With more than 60% of government revenues dependent on hydrocarbons in some MENA countries, the region is sensitive to fossil fuel price volatility. Clean energy adoption is gaining ground, helped by sustainable development commitments and the Paris Agreement…
Buried interface engineering drives advances in the efficiency of tin-lead-perovskite solar cells A team led by Prof. Meng Li from Henan University’s School of Nanoscience and Materials Engineering has unveiled an innovative approach to overcoming stability and efficiency challenges in tin-lead (Sn-Pb) perovskite solar cells. The researchers’ work focuses on optimizing the selective interface for buried holes using a specially designed self-assembled material, which has major implications for single-junction and tandem solar cell technologies. Tin-lead perovskites are valued for their narrow bandgap properties, making them a key material for the production of high-efficiency solar cells. However, energy level mismatches and…
Sonnedix has secured €3.25 billion ($3.38 billion) through two refinancing transactions. The renewable energy producer says the transactions will play an important role in accelerating the growth of its pipeline across Europe. December 19, 2024 Patrick Jowett Renewable energy producer Sonnedix has secured €3.25 billion through two refinancing transactions. Spain’s CaixaBank arranged the first transaction, worth €750 million, to refinance Sonnedix’s 197 MW regulated asset portfolio in Spain. The deal consolidated seven financing rounds into one. Fifteen commercial lenders and institutional investors handled the second transaction, worth €2.5 billion. This refinancing covers a portfolio of 1.1 GW of renewable assets…
The approval is the latest victory in a successful year for BSR. Image: BSR British Solar Renewables (BSR) has announced that it has been granted planning permission for a new solar PV power plant in Braintree, Essex. At a recent planning meeting, Braintree Council approved the 49.9 MW Knowl Green Solar Park for an operational life of 40 years. BSR attributes its success in obtaining building permits to a rigorous community consultation process, which lasted five weeks and resulted in notable changes to the proposed development plans. These include removing specific building materials to minimize the impact of the construction…
The Ismaili Muslim community in Texas, representing the largest Ismaili presence in the United States, recently completed a significant solar project. The Ismaili Jamatkhana in San Antonio has become the first purpose-built Jamatkhana in the nation to adopt solar energy. This project is in line with Aga Khan Development Network’s goal to become net zero carbon by 2030 across all of its institutions and agencies worldwide. The installation, completed by Big Sun Solar, is a 145-kW rooftop solar system and is projected to generate approximately 206,289 kWh annually. This will not only reduce the Jamatkhana’s carbon footprint but also reinforces…
The latest report from the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Photovoltaic Power Systems Program (PVPS) says the building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) sector faces significant challenges due to a lack of clear testing and certification procedures. It says international consensus and the harmonization of certification processes will be crucial for widespread adoption of the technology. December 19, 2024 Patrick Jowett There is an urgent need to harmonize testing and certification standards for building-integrated solar photovoltaics (BIPV), according to the latest report from the International Energy Agency’s Photovoltaic Power Systems Program (IEA-PVPS). The program’s Task 15 report, Advancing BIPV standardization: addressing regulatory gaps and…
Five community solar sites in Maine operated by Ampion Renewable Energy became commercially operational and began producing clean energy in November. These community solar sites, in both Versant Power and Central Maine Power utility areas, add nearly 25 MW of clean energy to the grid. The solar projects, located in Franklin, Aroostook, Penobscot and Washington counties, offer local subscribers up to 15% savings on electricity costs while supporting the generation of new, clean energy for the state of Maine. Ampion has registered 1,700 private and 70 commercial customers for these communal solar parks. Ampion will also manage ongoing billing and…