Author: solarenergy
By Brad Kramer December 3, 2024 Solar energy developer Verogy has completed a roof project at a warehouse in Portland, Maine, to bring more renewable energy to the Pine Tree State. Verogy partnered with the Boston-based real estate investment firm Plymouth Industrial REIT to develop the 1 MWdc rooftop facility at Plymouth’s 68,000-square-foot warehouse at 54 Milliken St. in Portland. The project is part of Plymouth’s ongoing efforts to promote environmental stewardship while creating value across its portfolio. “This collaboration with Plymouth demonstrates the power of partnerships in advancing clean energy initiatives,” said Will Herchel, CEO of Verogy, which is…
A coal-fired power plant in Texas will soon transition to a solar and storage facility to provide clean renewable energy to 47 rural counties in South Texas. San Miguel Electric Cooperative Inc. (SMECI) has received an investment of more than $1.4 billion from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) program, which provides grants and low-interest loans to expand priority energy expansion given to the reduction of greenhouse gases. Empowering Rural America (New era) program is offered through the Inflation Reduction Act. “USDA is committed to improving the quality of life and improving the air and water…
Tunisia’s Ministry of Industry, Mining and Energy has approved four solar projects in the first phase of a 1.7 GW solar tender. The lowest price awarded was TND 98.8 ($31.13)/kWh. December 30, 2024 Patrick Jowett image: Benjamin Jopen, Unsplash TunisiaThe Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy has selected four solar projects totaling 498 MW to be developed across the country in the first phase of a 1.7 GW tender. The ministry said the most competitive tariff awarded under the tender was TND 98.8/kWh. A announcement on the ministry’s website, the awarded projects are listed as three 100 MW projects, which…
BatX Energies says it has opened a lithium battery recycling plant in India to extract critical materials using a hydrometallurgical process. December 30, 2024 Uma Gupta By pv magazine India BatX Energies has opened a lithium battery recycling and critical mineral extraction facility in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The facility uses hydrometallurgical processes to extract critical materials, including lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese, from spent lithium-ion batteries. It efficiently recycles all types of lithium-ion battery waste, including production waste from emerging gigafactories. The battery recycling plant follows the 2022 launch of BatX’s first black mass production facility in…
By SB staff December 3, 2024 The winners of the Solar Builder Project of the Year Award have been announced! Congratulations to Adventure Science Center, Camino Real Mobile Estates, Cincinnati Zoo Solar Carport and the Escalante Solar Project. Editors’ Choice Awards were presented to the Michael Phelps House, Boerne Residential Solar+ Storage, Houston Solar Project, Stuttgart Microgrid and Vaisala Headquarters. Please go to the official Projects of the Year site to read through all the winners and watch video interviews with key stakeholders. Congratulations to all this year’s winners and thanks to everyone who nominated, voted and/or shared a project…
Major Chinese companies such as Tongwei, Daqo and GCL-Poly have cut silicon production, raising concerns about rising polysilicon prices. December 30, 2024 Vincent Shaw Several leading Chinese silicon manufacturers have cut production, raising concerns about upward pressure on polysilicon prices in the near term. Tongwei and Daqo have confirmed plans for technical upgrades and maintenance of their polysilicon facilities, which will involve reducing production in phases. Similarly, Hong Kong-listed GCL-Poly has told Chinese media that it will enter a phase of maintenance and lower production. The combined capacity of these three companies accounts for more than half of the global…
From pv magazine 24/12-25/01 Module price madness Falling solar panel prices were the defining trend in solar in 2024. In January, regular prices approached $0.15/W in an oversupplied market. Energy price advisor OPIS reported prices below production costs of $0.087/W for the latest tunnel oxide passivated contact products (TOPCon) in mid-November 2024, and further declines are still rumored. While low prices generally stimulate demand, oversupply is exacerbated by restrictions on orders. With more efficient technology rapidly emerging, buyers fear they will be left with outdated stocks. Tariffs and other trade measures keep imported products out of leading markets, especially the…
Energy demand in Britain has fallen by more than 20% since 2010, with improved energy efficiency and reduced production in the commercial and industrial sectors being the main cause. Image: Alexon. Analysis by energy market analysis firm Aurora found that negative price periods in Britain were six times more common in 2024 than in 2022. The research firm attributes this increase, and the resulting concerns among renewable energy developers, to oversupply due to weak energy demand combined with robust economic incentives, including the UK’s Contracts for Difference (CfD) programme. Early versions of the CfD scheme financially supported assets in times…
Research from Chin-Yi University of Technology in Taiwan revealed a new heating design in the Czochralski silicon crystal growth process that can control and reduce oxygen concentration without incurring the costs associated with other methods, such as installing magnets or using alternative crucible materials. December 30, 2024 Valerie Thompson Researchers from National Chin-Yi University of Technology in Taiwan have proposed a new heating design for Czochralski silicon crystal growth equipment to control and reduce oxygen concentration. The method was simulated and validated, finding that the optimal design allowed for an oxygen reduction of 6 parts per million (PPm) atoms. For…
By Chris Crowell December 4, 2024 The Connecticut Green Bank has put out a call to all solar companies in Connecticut a request for proposals (RFP) seeking engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for several affordable multifamily residential (AMFH) solar projects. In total, the Green Bank, in collaboration with the Green Bank, is installing 2 MW of solar energy on nine affordable homes Green Bank’s Solar Marketplace Support Program (Solar MAP). Entries must be submitted by January 13, 2025. Solar Application for Connecticut Green Bank has commissioned assessments of each site and is providing detailed evidence for each proposed project…