Author: solarenergy

The German government has awarded a financing package of 310 million euros to chemical manufacturer BASF for the construction of an industrial heat pump with a capacity of up to 500,000 tons of steam per year. It will use residual heat from steam crackers for CO2-free power production. October 18, 2024 Patrick Jowett Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, presented the official notification of financing to Uwe Liebelt, President European Verbund Sites, BASF SE. Image: BMWK / Andreas Mertens The German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate is providing German chemical company BASF with up…

Aspen Power held ceremonies this week to celebrate the completion of two community solar sites in Corinth and Prospect, Maine, which together provide 8.5 MW of renewable energy capacity. “These projects are more than just construction milestones for Aspen Power – they are tangible steps toward a cleaner, more sustainable future for Maine,” said Jorge Vargas, CEO of Aspen Power. “We are proud to work with our committed partners who made these projects possible, and we are grateful to local landowners whose collaboration is helping create new revenue streams while contributing to the state’s renewable energy goals . It is…

A multi-family solar installation from Enterprise Electric. The NC Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) has released its publication Third Quarter 2024 Edition of “The 50 States of Solar.” The quarterly series provides insight into regulatory and legislative discussions and actions in distributed solar policy, with an emphasis on net metering, distributed solar rating, community solar, residential fixed charges, demand and residential, third-party owned and utility-directed solar loads. rooftop solar programs. The report shows that 42 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, took some form of distributed solar policy action by the third quarter of 2024 (see figure…

Arctech Solar says it has signed a 2.3 GW tracker order from Saudi Arabia, where it will supply trackers designed for the region’s desert terrain and high winds. October 18, 2024 Emiliano Bellini Arctech Solar signed an agreement with Energy China International Engineering at the 2024 International Engineering Supply Chain Development Conference to supply its Skyline II tracking systems for a 2.3 GW solar project in Saudi Arabia. The system is designed to handle the region’s challenging desert terrain and high wind conditions. The project is expected to generate 156.2 TWh over 25 years and reduce CO2 emissions by 147…

American researchers have begun studying hydrogen formation in the Midcontinent Rift in the United States, while Dutch scientists have found that hydrogen emissions from industrial complexes are higher than previously estimated. October 18, 2024 Sergio Matalucci University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers are studying a rift that runs from beneath Lake Superior through parts of Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas to determine how best to access the trapped geological hydrogen. “To test the viability of hydrogen production in the canyon, a test well was drilled in Nebraska five years ago,” said the researchers. “So far the data is promising. Scientists…

By pv magazine 24/10 Results from PV test laboratories in 2024 have raised concerns about ultraviolet-induced degradation (UVID) in some n-type TOPCon and HJT panels. The Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC) “PV Module Index Report” shows that 40% of tested modules showed at least a 5% performance loss after UV testing. The Kiwa PVEL lab, also in California, conducted UV testing at an exposure of 120 kWh/m² – designed to be replicated in the field for six months to two years, depending on location – and reported up to 16.6% performance loss in some n-type TOPCon modules. The laboratory’s vice…

EDPR NA Distributed Generation has announced the completion of the Morgan East and Morgan West solar projects in Clay, New York. The Morgan East Solar Park, located near Syracuse, generates 4.5 MWAC partly for PaperWorks Industries, while Morgan West Solar Park generates 5 MWAC partly for QubicaAMF Worldwide and Sabin Metal Corporation. Both parks will also power the surrounding utility area in New York State, with 60% of their total energy supply delivered to mass market residential and small business subscribers. EDPR NA DG worked on the projects with both PowerMarket and NRG Energy’s Renewables Advisory (now CBRE Renewables). “We…

Computer simulations provide new insights into improving solar cell materials Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have made progress in understanding halide perovskites, a promising class of materials for solar cells. These materials could serve as an efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional silicon-based cells, but they face stability challenges. The new insights are expected to contribute to the development of more reliable and efficient solar cells, important components in the transition to sustainable energy. Halide perovskites refer to a group of materials known for their potential in flexible, lightweight solar cells and various optical applications, such as…

In a new weekly update for pv magazineOPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a brief overview of the major price trends in the global PV industry. October 18, 2024 OPIS The Global Polysilicon Marker (GPM), the OPIS benchmark for polysilicon outside China, was valued this week at $22,068/kg, or $0.050/W, unchanged from the previous week, based on buy-sell indications. On October 1, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) announced a preliminary decision on countervailing duties (CVD) for solar cells and modules imported from Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand, with rates ranging from 0.14% to 292.61% , depending on the company…

Imagine a world where fresh, locally grown produce is available year-round, regardless of climate or season. Picture thriving gardens in urban spaces, using a fraction of the water and land of traditional farming methods. This isn’t a scene from a futuristic movie – it’s the reality of solar-powered hydroponics, a game-changing approach that’s reshaping sustainable gardening. At 8MSolar, we’re passionate about harnessing the sun’s power for electricity and excited about the incredible potential of solar energy to transform how we grow food. Solar hydroponics combines two innovative technologies – solar power and hydroponic growing systems – to create a sustainable,…