Author: solarenergy

MIT, Harvard and Mass General lead 408 MW green energy push MIT is co-leading an effort to enable the development of two new large-scale renewable energy projects in regions with carbon-intensive electricity grids: Big Elm Solar in Bell County, Texas, which came online this year, and the Bowman Wind Project in Bowman. County, North Dakota, is expected to be operational in 2026. Together they will add a total of 408 megawatts (MW) of new sustainable energy capacity to the electricity grid. This work is a critical part of MIT’s strategy to reach its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2026.…

Italy’s regional governments approved 6 GW of utility-scale solar projects between January and October 2024, according to updates to Terna’s Econnextion map. Most of these projects are concentrated in Sicily, Lazio, Puglia, Sardinia and Basilicata. November 22, 2024 Massimiliano Tripodo Italy’s regional governments have approved around 6 GW of utility-scale solar capacity across 142 projects in the first ten months of 2024, according to data collected by pv magazine Italybased on figures from the Italian grid operator Terna. Sicily led with 2.69 GW, followed by Lazio with 2.1 GW. Puglia had the highest number of connection requests, with 891 requests…

Rendering of the planned solar project. Amerlux, a Delta Group company and manufacturer of high-end lighting, has announced that it will install a 1,525 MW rooftop solar energy system at its global headquarters and manufacturing facility. This initiative underscores Amerlux’s commitment to achieving Net Zero Energy and leadership in sustainable lighting in the US The project, which will start in late 2024 and be completed in 2025, is in line with Amerlux’s goal of achieving its 200,000 feet of low-carbon2 manufacturing facility in Oakland, New Jersey, just as its parent company, Delta Electronics, has established at its U.S. headquarters in…

In a new weekly update for pv magazineSolcast, a DNV company, reports that solar energy production in much of Europe is expected to drop this weekend as a significant low-pressure system moves polar air across the continent, bringing the first major widespread snowfall of the season. November 22, 2024 Solcast Solar output across much of Europe is expected to drop this weekend as a significant low-pressure system moves polar air across the continent, bringing the first major widespread snowfall of the season, according to analysis using the Solcast API. France, Germany, Scotland and parts of Eastern Europe are expected to…

Markum Solar Groundbreaking. Photo courtesy of: Scout Clean Energy Scout Clean Energy and project stakeholders gathered at the company’s first-ever completed solar project, the 209 MWdirect current Markum Solar Farm in Bosque and McLennan counties, Texas, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony honoring the six years of hard work and collaboration that helped bring the project to commercial operation last week. Markum currently generates enough electricity for the ERCOT grid to power approximately 32,000 homes annually. “We couldn’t be more proud to celebrate the commercial operation of our first-ever solar project with everyone who made it possible,” said Michael Rucker, founder and…

Stability of perovskite solar cells reinforced with innovative protective layer Scientists at Northwestern University have unveiled a new protective coating that dramatically improves the lifespan of perovskite solar cells, an important step toward making these cells viable for real-world applications. Perovskite solar cells offer greater efficiency and lower costs compared to traditional silicon-based cells. However, the lack of sustainability has historically hindered widespread adoption. Conventional coatings using ammonium-based compounds, while effective at improving efficiency, degrade quickly under environmental conditions such as heat and moisture. To address this limitation, the research team introduced an amidinium-based protective layer, which significantly outperformed ammonium…

This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to Amila Colakhodzic, Senior Originator and Client Reporting at Austria-based Kommunalkredit. She says she continually prioritizes open communication and inclusivity while challenging biases. “Despite women being the largest untapped resource in renewable energy, the solar sector has improved significantly. Since switching from wind to solar energy in 2018, I have witnessed technological advancements and greater diversity, with women taking on technical, commercial, legal and leadership roles,” she says. November 22, 2024 Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) The sustainable energy sector must provide more diverse and rewarding employment opportunities for women. According…

The US solar microinverter supplier introduced a 1500Wh portable battery bank. November 22, 2024 Ryan Kennedy By pv magazine USA Enphase Energy, a global leader in the manufacturing of solar microinverters, announced that it has released a portable battery bank that allows users to backup their devices during outages or transfer power to locations outside the electricity grid. It is available to customers in the US The new product, the IQ PowerPack 1500, is a 1.5 kW portable energy system that can power small appliances at home, work or outdoors. It has built-in Enphase IQ8 microinverters, the same ones used…

Freedom Forever has announced the adoption of its National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards (NGS) by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship. This recognition marks a significant milestone in Freedom Forever’s Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program, which launched in September 2024 to address the critical renewable energy workforce shortage. Freedom Forever is the first residential solar installation company to receive NGS certification for its electrical apprenticeship program. The NGS certification provides a nationally recognized framework for implementing high-quality apprenticeship programs at Freedom Forever facilities while meeting state-specific requirements. Developed in partnership with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) Apprenticeships in…

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. November 22, 2024 OPIS FOB China: The Chinese Module Marker (CMM), the OPIS benchmark rating for TOPCon modules from China, was steady at $0.087/W Free-On-Board (FOB) China, with price guidance between $0.085-0.095/W. Several Tier 1 manufacturers have increased their offer prices following news of the reduction of the export tax credit for photovoltaic products from 13% to 9%, effective December 1. The affected products include monocrystalline silicon wafers with a diameter greater than 6…