Author: solarenergy

Today at the CPUC: Approval of the California Energy Commission’s Gas R and D Program for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has officially adopted Resolution G-3603, which authorizes the California Energy Commission’s Gas Research and Development Program for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. This approval facilitates continued research and development in the natural gas sector, with the goal of improving safety, efficiency and technological advancements within the industry. The adopted resolution outlines the framework and funding allocations for several research initiatives aimed at improving the operational aspects of natural gas use in California. This includes projects aimed…

JinkoSolar has announced that its 2,000 V EAGLE modules are the first in the world to be qualified as UL Listed products for UL 61730-1 and UL 61730-2, and UL Listed products for IEC 61215-1, IEC 61215-2 and IEC 61215 -1-1. JinkoSolar panels on the Kayenta Solar project. Credit: SOLV Energy JinkoSolar worked with UL Solutions to certify this new module that exceeds the industry standard 1,500 V. Once certified, the 2,000 V EAGLE modules will be selectively deployed in the United States in the third quarter of 2024, with general availability in the US market in 2025. The 2,000…

Global solar energy demand will continue to grow in 2024, with module demand likely to reach 492 GW to 538 GW. Amy Fanga senior analyst at InfoLink, looks at module demand and supply chain inventories in a market still affected by oversupply. May 20, 2024 Amy FangFrom pv magazine 24/05The Chinese solar market has witnessed rapid growth in demand over the past two years. High prices for PV modules in 2022 hindered the implementation of utility-scale projects, so that small-scale “distributed generation” (DG) projects made up about 60% of the market. After supply chain issues subsided, module prices began to…

Solar energy allowed is a crucial step in a successful solar energy project. Problems in the permitting process can delay solar project timelines, increase costs and create dissatisfied customers. Major problems in the solar permitting process can hinder an installer’s relationship with the appropriate local authorities (AHJs), make a project unprofitable, or even damage a solar contractor’s reputation. However, most jurisdictions in the US have unique licensing procedures and requirements. It often takes weeks to obtain a permit, but in some cases it can take much longer, especially if the project does not meet permit requirements.Solar Automated Permit Processing (Solar…

IEA-PVPS is about to launch a new format for expert involvement. It will include an agrovoltaic energy action group, as well as a joint effort to align agriculture and solar energy generation. It aims to unlock the potential of agrivoltaic energy, optimize land use efficiency, increase agricultural resilience to climate change and promote social consensus on solar energy development. May 20, 2024 IEA-PVPSAt a time when the imperatives of sustainability and climate action dominate the global discourse, innovative approaches at the intersection of energy and agriculture have received increasing attention. Of these, agrivoltaic energy, a practice that combines PV installations…

European renewable energy developer Qair will build a 10 MW solar power plant in western Tunisia with a €3.9 million ($4.2 million) loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and up to €1 million in concessional financing from Finland. . May 20, 2024 Patrick Jowett Image: Markus Spiske, UnsplashThe EBRD is financing the construction of a 10 MW solar power plant in the Feriana region of Tunisia.The financing package includes an EBRD loan of €3.9 million and up to €1 million in concessional financing from Finland under the EBRD’s High Impact Partnership on Climate Action. The financing…

New England is one of the most forested areas in America, storing about 15 million tons of carbon annually. Many carbon offset programs reforest in the region. “We’re not really considering the risks enough when we rely on forest carbon as a nature-based climate solution.” These projects are responsible for disasters that can kill trees and release their stored carbon. However, a new study published in Biology of global change suggests they may be underestimating the destructive power of hurricanes. A single hurricane in New England could release at least 121 million tons of carbon from fallen trees, the study…

Arevon Energy, along with CenterPoint Energy, Bechtel, participating landowners and other guests, gathered at a groundbreaking event to celebrate the construction of the 228 MWDC Posey Solar Project in Posey County, Indiana. Arevon developed Posey Solar in partnership with CenterPoint Energy, and Bechtel is the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor on the project. Posey Solar is expected to begin operations in mid-2025 and the clean energy generated by the project will be distributed to meet the energy needs of homes and businesses in southwestern Indiana. The Posey Solar Project groundbreaking event included a welcome address, celebrating the start of…

The debate over rooftop solar through NEM 3.0 in California put the solar industry at odds with consumer groups and unions, but another solar policy issue has now united them in a new fight. The overhaul of the state’s community solar program brought together consumer groups, union workers and the solar industry to try to make this sector of solar energy work for developers, workers and consumers alike. The unlikely alliance first emerged when the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) included a community solar proposal in the NEM 3.0 discussion. “When California started revisiting net metering in 2020, it…

Researchers in China have developed a model to predict the lifetime of heterojunction (HJT) modules made with ultraviolet cut-off polyolefin elastomer (POE) encapsulant. The approach takes into account factors such as temperature, humidity and UV radiation. May 20, 2024 Valerie ThompsonTo address concerns about degradation of heterojunction solar panels, a team of scientists led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a model to predict the lifespan of heterojunction modules.The model takes into account factors such as temperature, humidity and UV radiation and was used by the research team to predict the lifespan of modules made with ultraviolet cut-off POE…