Author: solarenergy
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…
China-based Envision Energy says its 5.5 MW/14 MWh energy storage demonstration platform is the world’s first and largest single-unit grid-forming energy storage system certified under rigorous full-scenario testing standards. November 22, 2024 Emiliano Bellini By ESS news Envision Energy Storage has announced that its energy storage demonstration platform in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, has successfully passed the full scenario testing conducted by the China Electric Power Research Institute. The platform, which includes the world’s largest single-unit networked energy storage system with a capacity of 5.5 MW/14 MWh, is the first in the world to be certified under this stringent standard. The…
Solar cycle has entered into a multi-year agreement with Genesis Alkali to purchase Ecosoda, a low-carbon natural soda ash produced near Green River, Wyoming, for use in solar glass production at the Cedartown, Georgia plant. Sodium carbonate. Credit: Genesis Alkali Sodium carbonate is an essential raw material used in the production of solar glass. According to Genesis Alkali, naturally produced soda ash is approximately 37% less greenhouse gas intensive than synthetically produced soda ash used by most solar glass manufacturers abroad. Ecosoda, produced at Genesis Alkali’s newly expanded facility in Granger, Wyoming, has an even lower greenhouse gas footprint than…
Brazil’s largest microgrid has gone online at the State University of Campinas (Unicamp). The CampusGrid project combines a 565 kW solar system with a 1 MW high capacity battery energy storage system (BESS). November 22, 2024 Alessandra Neris By pv magazine Brazil The State University of Campinas (Unicamp) has launched the CampusGrid microgrid at the Barão Geraldo campus in Campinas, São Paulo. The facility integrates a 565 kW solar energy system with a 1 MW BESS, providing up to two hours of autonomy. In the event of a prolonged outage, a natural gas generator provides 250 kVa until normal production…
Up to €103 million ($107.2 million), from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Raiffeisen Bank International, will support the development of a 237.6 MW fully commercial solar project in southeastern Bulgaria. November 22, 2024 Patrick Jowett Image: Sapviktor, Pixabay A 237.6 MW solar power plant to be built in southeastern Bulgaria has secured a €103 million ($107.2 million) financing package The financing consists of €50 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and a parallel financing facility of €53 million from Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank International. The investment has gone to Tenevo Solar Technologies EAD, a…