Author: solarenergy

JM Steel, a subsidiary of JENNMAR Holdings, today announced that it has expanded its Nextracker-specific production lines at its facility in Leetsdale, Pennsylvania. The facility is the former Bethlehem Steel plant, operated by BCI Steel. The site began producing tracker torque tubes for Nextracker in 2022 World of solar energy visited the factory. A crane operator drags completed torsion tubes across the factory floor of Nextracker’s facility in Leetsdale, Pennsylvania. Billy Ludt/Solar Power World “We are pleased to partner with JM Steel and celebrate the expansion of the Pittsburgh facility to meet customer demand. This facility is also expected to…

Today, the Solar and Storage Industries Institute (SI2) released a comprehensive white paper on interconnection challenges in the solar and storage industries and proposed new solutions to accelerate the clean energy transition. The report builds on recent analyzes from Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy and recommends that grid operators and regulators create more holistic, comprehensive regional transmission planning processes and a new financing paradigm for transmission upgrade costs. These recommendations would more equitably distribute transmission upgrade costs and reduce uncertainty in the interconnection process, resulting in lower interconnection costs, a more robust transmission system and…

Last year, Aurora held its annual Empower event for solar professionals to network and hear from industry leaders. One of the sessions, the Solar Sales Objections Throwdown, looked at common roadblocks for residential solar salespeople and how to overcome them. The Throwdown does a good job of looking at specific homeowner objections, so let’s look at a little higher level here. I’ll limit myself to three but, as any solar salesperson will tell you, in an industry as competitive as solar, there is no shortage of challenges. First, let’s look at just how difficult it is to get in the…

Maxeon Solar has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Canadian Solar for violating Maxeon’s TOPCon patents. Maxeon filed in the Eastern District of Texas. Canadian Solar TOPCon module After purchasing the patents on Solaria’s shingled cell technology last year, Maxeon now owns more than 1,650 issued patents and more than 330 pending patent applications related to interdigitated back contact (IBC), shingled hypercell and tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar technology . The company announced last year that it is investigating several companies for infringing Maxeon’s patents. This claim against Canadian Solar is the first to be announced. “Maxeon has a…

Purchasing a solar energy system is one of the few home improvements that actually pays for itself over time due to the significant utility savings. For many potential customers, this is one of the primary reasons they invest in a home solar power system. Being able to articulate the return on investment and the solar payback period clearly will help you close more sales.Understanding how the solar panel payback works will help your customers make an informed purchasing decision and help distinguish yourself as a solar energy expert. Earning customer trust is valuable for closing sales and creating a solid…

The Korea Institute of Energy Research has developed a solid oxide electrolytic cell stack that uses a special kind of separator plate to ensure proper flow of hydrogen and oxygen after water splitting. Samsung Electro-Mechanics and Bumhan Industries are now working with the research center to improve the relevant production process. April 26, 2024 Emiliano BelliniThe Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) has announced that a group of scientists have developed an 8 kW engine solid oxide electrolytic cell (SOEC) that can reportedly produce more than 5 kg of hydrogen per day. SOEC systems usually rely on a solid oxide,…

Array technologies, a global solar tracking company, has launched its patented Hail Alert Response system, a suite of software features designed to autonomously protect solar installations from hail damage. This technology is part of Array’s ongoing efforts to improve the resiliency and efficiency of solar energy systems in hail-prone areas. Credit: Array Technologies The Hail Alert Response system uses weather forecasting algorithms to preemptively deploy sun trackers approximately 30 minutes before a predicted hail event. This approach can protect solar projects from potential damage, ensuring the longevity and durability of the array. Hail Alert Response is available in the United…

PV mounting system manufacturer AEROCOMPACT launched SN2 Q PLUS, an extension to the COMPACTFLAT SN2 rail-based flat roof solar racking system. SN2 Q PLUS supports modules up to 1310 mm by 2500 mm (51.6 in. by 98.4 in) and mounts them in an east-west orientation in portrait orientation on the long side of the module. AEROCOMPACT SN2 Q PLUS The high- and low-side inter-row spacing are separately adjustable in AEROCOMPACT’s proprietary design tool, AEROTOOL. This customizable inter-row space provides design flexibility to navigate obstructed roofs, maximize system size, minimize shadowing and to design for operations and maintenance (O&M), the company…

By SB staff April 24, 2024 Developer from West Hartford, Connecticut Verogy has completed a 139.5 kW solar project on the roof of the York Judicial Center in Biddeford, Maine.The state-of-the-art system, consisting of 256 solar panels, will significantly reduce the building’s carbon footprint and provide a reliable source of clean energy for decades to come. The installation of the York Judicial Center is the first solar energy project completed for the Judicial Branch of the State of Maine.“Verogy is excited to have the opportunity to partner with the Maine Judicial Branch to deliver a solar energy project that will…

Schneider Electric has unveiled an energy storage system for network-scale applications. The companies Battery energy storage system (BESS) is the cornerstone for a fully integrated microgrid solution, powered by Schneider Electric’s controls, optimization and world-renowned digital and field services. Distribution company Gray bar is the first channel partner for Schneider Electric’s new BESS, offered as part of the EcoStruxure Microgrid Flex system. “With more than two decades of battery conversion expertise, we are proud to introduce a solution that is carefully designed with flexibility at its core,” said Jana Gerber, president of Schneider Electric of North America Microgrids. “Our goal…