Author: solarenergy
The solar industry has ignored the issue of silver dependence for cell metallization, but China’s Jiangsu Xianghuan Technology (JXTC) is moving to commercial production with a copper plating process that overcomes many of the challenges that cell manufacturers have shown little interest in. January 17, 2025 Mark Hutchins From pv magazine 24/12-25/01 The recent growth in solar energy production has raised concerns about the availability of certain materials at the scale needed to bring solar installations close to global 2030 targets. Most important of the materials in question is silver. A 2021 study from the University of New South Wales…
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but an investigation will be carried out once the fire is extinguished. January 17, 2025 Marija Maisch Screenshot of a video posted on the official County of Monterey, California Facebook account Image: County of Monterey, Facebook By ESS news A fire was confirmed Thursday at the 750 MW/3,000 MWh Vistra battery energy storage facility in Moss Landing, forcing evacuations and closing roads in the area. The fire broke out at the facility around 3 p.m., and evacuation orders were issued at 6:30 p.m. due to concerns about hazardous materials and…
China is building its first gigawatt-scale residential virtual power plant (VPP) in Jiangsu province. The project will connect millions of powerful home appliances to a cloud-based energy pool to improve grid stability and boost the use of renewable energy. January 17, 2025 Vincent Shaw By ESS news A new gigawatt-scale VPP project launched by Jiangsu Electric Power Co. under State Grid Corp. from China, will bring together appliances such as air conditioners and electric water heaters from millions of Chinese households. By leveraging advanced technologies such as big data, Internet of Things and AI, the VPP will enable more efficient…
The Connecticut Green Bank announced the closing of Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing for a solar photovoltaic system at Hitchcock Printing & Distribution Services, located at 191 John Downey Drive in New Britain, Connecticut. The system is estimated to save the business more than $1.2 million in avoided energy costs over the next 20 years. Founded in 1904 by Edwin Rogers Hitchcock, the company runs a modern 21,000 ft2 facility with a highly skilled workforce and state-of-the-art equipment to provide printing, creative design, finishing and mailing services. “The addition of our solar system is a key to staying…
The DCO application ensures a 27% reduction in the area that will be covered by solar panels. Image: EDF Renewables UK. The National Planning Inspectorate has accepted EDF Renewables UK’s application for a development consent (DCO) for an 800 MW solar power plant. The proposed Springwell Solar Farm, which will also have battery storage, would be located on land between Lincoln and Sleaford and cover 1,972 hectares across three different areas. Due to its size, with a solar power generation capacity of 800 MW and a grid connection allowing the export and import of up to 800 MW to the…
Work has started on the Swiss Madrisa Solar project, a 12 MW alpine PV plant located at an altitude of 2,000 m near a ski resort in the village of Klosters. It is part of the Solar Express initiative designed to boost domestic winter energy production. January 17, 2025 Valerie Thompson Work has started on the 12 MW Madrisa Solar project in Switzerland, an alpine PV plant at an altitude of 2,000 m near a ski and winter sports resort above the village of Klosters. The south-facing PV plant is expected to produce 17 GWh annually when the final phase…
German scientists have identified 18 typologies of power purchase agreements for the renewable energy market. Their research is intended to support policy makers, scientists and investors in implementing their own PPA analysis and choices. January 17, 2025 Emiliano Bellini A group of researchers in Germany have created a comprehensive overview of the existing structures and features of power purchase agreements (PPA) in an effort to support policymakers, scientists and investors in implementing their own PPA analysis and choices. “Given the sometimes complex nature of PPAs, this lack of proper classification complicates further research and adoption by practitioners in the field,”…
The US Geological Survey (USGS) has released its first map of potential geological hydrogen reserves in the United States, while Plug Power has secured a $1.66 billion US government bond guarantee to scale up low-carbon hydrogen production nationwide. January 17, 2025 Sergio Matalucci Image: US Geological Survey The USGS has released its first map identifying potential geological sources of hydrogen in the United States, analyzing regions with the necessary conditions for hydrogen accumulation, including springs, reservoir rocks and seals to capture the gas. “The map allocates relatively prospectivity values from 0 to 1, and areas with higher values (deep blue…
Longi has issued a profit warning for 2024, predicting a net loss of up to $1.11 billion – a sharp drop from last year’s profit of $1.42 billion. January 17, 2025 Vincent Shaw Long has issued a profit warning for 2024, predicting a net loss of between CNY8.2 billion ($1.11 billion) and CNY8.8 billion, compared with a profit of CNY10.75 billion in the previous year. The company attributed the loss to increased competition in the PV sector, which has led to a continued decline in prices and profit margins of passivated emitter back cell (PERC) and tunnel oxide passivated contact…
Mercom Capital Group says inflation, high interest rates, trade disputes and policy uncertainty all contributed to a decline in corporate financing and merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in the solar energy sector last year. January 17, 2025 Patrick Jowett Corporate financing in the solar energy sector totaled $26.3 billion by 2024, according to figures released by Mercom Capital Group in its annual solar financing and mergers and acquisitions report. The total figure, which includes venture capital financing, public market financing and debt financing, represents a decline of 24% from the $34.3 billion raised in 2023. The total includes 157 deals,…