Author: solarenergy

A coalition of 28 organizations, including U.S. and Puerto Rican nonprofits, solar and battery companies, filed a Friend of the Court (Amicus) brief in federal court this week opposing the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico (FOMB). The coalition states that FOMBs legal attack on Act 10 — a law that extends Puerto Rico’s net metering program through 2030 — threatens the island’s progress in solar energy and resilience. Bill 10, which was signed into law in January this year, passed unanimously by Puerto Rico’s House and Senate and was not opposed by the island’s regulator. The law…

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 1, 2024 OPIS Waffle prices in FOB China fell across the board for the second week in a row. Prices for Mono PERC M10 and n-type M10 wafers were reported at $0.138/pc and $0.137/pc, representing a weekly decline of 4.17% and 2.14% respectively. Similarly, prices for Mono PERC G12 and n-type G12 wafers fell to $0.196/pc and $0.188/pc, representing a decline of 4.39% and 2.59% compared to the previous week. Tier-1 wafer manufacturers…

The latest findings from Taipei-based intelligence provider TrendForce show that production volumes of fully solid-state batteries could reach GWh levels by 2027. The rapid expansion will lead to declines in the price of mobile phones, which will reach a level of CNY 0.6-0.7/Wh ($0.084-$0.098). by 2035. November 1, 2024 Marija Maisch By ESS news The push to commercialize solid-state batteries (SSBs) is underway, with industries from automotive to storage betting on the technology. But while the hype surrounding full solid-state batteries has waned somewhat and the technology is taking longer than expected to get off the ground, semi-solid-state batteries, which…

One to four hours of battery storage for a solar power plant can significantly increase on-site revenues in areas with high population density or abundant solar energy. However, the added value decreases for storage capacities above four hours. November 1, 2024 John Fitzgerald Weaver By pv magazine USA There are more and more queues on the electricity grid dominated by solar energy projectswith a significant portion relating to solar-plus-storage (hybrid) facilities. In recent years, the side markets in Texas and California evening peak demand were the main targets for battery investments. As these markets become more competitive and Battery costs…

Research into the costs and feasibility of battery-electric ships Converting part of the U.S. shipping fleet from internal combustion engines to battery-electric systems could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be largely cost-effective by 2035, according to a new study from Berkeley Lab researchers recently published in Nature Energy. Shipping represents 3% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, making it an important decarbonization target. But electrifying ships is a greater challenge than electrifying cars from both a technical and market perspective. A ship is a much larger capital investment than a car and has a lifespan of decades.…

France’s new feed-in tariffs (FITs) for November to January range from €0.13 ($0.141)/kWh to €0.088/kWh, depending on system size. November 1, 2024 Marie Beijer Image: Nao Xotl, Unsplash By pv magazine France The French energy regulator, the Commission de Régulation de l’Energie (CRE), has been released FITS for rooftop solar installations up to 500 kW in size for November to January. The new rate for PV systems of less than 3 kW will be €0.103 ($0.112)/kWh, while the rate for PV systems ranging in size from 3 kW to 9 kW will be €0.088/kWh. The rate for the 9-36 kW…

Denmark-based Grafisk Maskinfabrik (GM) is now selling roll-to-roll turnkey pilot production lines with slot-die coating, available through the GM Functionals unit. November 1, 2024 Valerie Thompson The functional film unit of Danish production equipment manufacturer Grafisk Maskinfabrik (GM) currently offers turnkey roll-to-roll pilot production lines for the production of organic solar photovoltaics (OPV) and perovskite solar cells with a slot-die coating. The tools emerged from a long-term collaboration with Sciprios, a spin-off of a German university specialized in laboratory automation and measuring equipment. Demand for thin-film roll-to-roll production equipment is growing because it can be used by developers of solar…

Wider use of electric heat pumps to heat buildings creates a larger market for renewable energy, but also brings challenges, which can be addressed through building insulation and weatherization, cold climate heat pumps, thermal energy storage systems and distribution networks with a higher voltage. report says. November 1, 2024 William Driscoll By pv magazine USA Heating more buildings with electric heat pumps could create a larger market for renewable energy. But while the use of heat pumps, in a practice known as building electrification, is “getting a lot of attention” in the utility sector, “there is little information available about…

The LUMINOSITY project consortium aims to develop 20% efficient metal halide perovskite prototype modules over 900 cm², designed for a 20-year service life and compatibility with roll-to-roll (R2R) processing. October 30, 2024 Valerie Thompson A team in Europe aims to develop 20% efficient metal halide perovskite prototype modules over 900 cm2 with a target lifespan of 20 years. The consortium will use industrially compatible R2R processing. The project is funded by the Horizon Europe program and its members include representatives from industry, universities and research and technology organizations (RTOs). “Flexible perovskite solar cells are being developed in many places in…

Altus Power Community Solar Project in Maine (Photo: Business Wire) Altus strength has completed three new solar projects in Maine, adding a total of 19.1 MW to the company’s portfolio. “Our process of acquiring and developing solar assets from many different market participants allows us to quickly build scale, allowing us to pass the resulting economies of scale to our partners and the communities we serve,” said Matt Marlow, co- head of Investment. and structured finance at Altus Power. “Maine has become one of our most active community solar markets, with concentrated Altus project management…