Solar Power World

Rhode Island governor signs bill to create new incentives for energy storage

Kelsey Misbrener — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 19:29:23 +0000

On June 26, Governor Daniel McKee signed the 2024 Energy Storage Systems Act into law, a landmark moment in Rhode Island’s journey to a 100% clean energy future. Led by State Senator Dawn Euer and State Representative Arthur Handy, the Act puts Rhode Island’s energy system in a strengthened position. “Energy storage is flexible, reliable,…

The post Rhode Island governor signs bill to create new incentives for energy storage appeared first on Solar Power World.

Renewables surpass 30% of U.S. electrical generation for the first time

Kelsey Misbrener — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 12:28:39 +0000

A review by the SUN DAY Campaign of data newly released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) confirms that solar has continued its decade-long streak as the nation’s fastest-growing source of electricity. In its latest monthly “Electric Power Monthly” report (with data through April 30, 2024), EIA says the combination of utility-scale and small-scale…

The post Renewables surpass 30% of U.S. electrical generation for the first time appeared first on Solar Power World.

Guest column: Solar projects need decommissioning guarantees

Josh Carson, Vice President and Partner, Axcess Surety Bonds — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 12:05:38 +0000

While the world pushes for more clean energy, much has been written about the U.S. problem with reclaiming abandoned oil wells. But a lack of decommissioning regulations for the renewable energy industry could create a future cleanup headache for taxpayers too. Nothing lasts forever, and solar projects are no exception. The expected lifespan of most…

The post Guest column: Solar projects need decommissioning guarantees appeared first on Solar Power World.

Red flags for green energy: What to look out for in supply chains and projects

Jake Edie, VP of marketing, Clean Energy Associates — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 12:02:49 +0000

The past few years have been a sellers’ market in the solar and energy storage market. That dynamic is changing quickly, however, as global supply chains ramp up quickly. Clean Energy Associates (CEA) recently forecasted an 18% reduction in battery energy storage system (BESS) pricing in 2024. On the solar side, massive production overcapacity and…

The post Red flags for green energy: What to look out for in supply chains and projects appeared first on Solar Power World.

Carbon reduction orgs identify where solar is needed most

Billy Ludt — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 12:00:06 +0000

Renewable energy sources reduce carbon production when they replace power plants using fossil fuels, but it’s possible for something like a solar array to have a measurably larger impact when built in a region with more carbon emissions and less renewable energy proliferation. Clearloop, a carbon reduction subsidiary of solar developer Silicon Ranch, and WattTime,…

The post Carbon reduction orgs identify where solar is needed most appeared first on Solar Power World.

Generac Power Systems acquires North American energy storage EPC

Kelly Pickerel — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 11:59:11 +0000

Generac Power Systems has acquired North American energy storage contractor PowerPlay Battery Energy Storage Systems, a division of SunGrid Solutions. PowerPlay specializes in providing turnkey BESS solutions tailored for commercial and industrial projects up to 7 MWh. “This acquisition supports our commitment to offer a more complete ecosystem of products and solutions to domestic commercial…

The post Generac Power Systems acquires North American energy storage EPC appeared first on Solar Power World.

Ampion enrolls 130+ Wendy’s restaurants to community solar projects

Billy Ludt — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 10:00:10 +0000

Community solar provider Ampion Renewable Energy is partnering with The Wendy’s Company to help Wendy’s restaurants source renewable energy. Nearly 100 company-operated restaurants and nearly 40 franchise restaurants in New York, Illinois and Massachusetts are now enrolled in Ampion+, a service that helps organizations reduce energy costs and secure renewable energy certificates (RECs) that substantiate…

The post Ampion enrolls 130+ Wendy’s restaurants to community solar projects appeared first on Solar Power World.

Solar installer U.S. Light Energy opens new office in New York

Kelly Pickerel — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 06:00:39 +0000

New York-based solar contractor U.S. Light Energy (USLE) hosted a vibrant Summer Solstice Open House on June 20 at its new office location in Latham, New York. The event garnered enthusiastic attendance from over 70 guests, comprising esteemed team members, cherished friends, supportive family and valued partners. Highlighting the occasion was a special address from…

The post Solar installer U.S. Light Energy opens new office in New York appeared first on Solar Power World.

NYSEIA asks Gov. Hochul to double distributed solar goal

Kelsey Misbrener — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 15:47:24 +0000

The New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA) released “20 Gigawatts by 2035: Raising New York’s Distributed Solar Goal (The Roadmap),” a detailed policy report that calls on New York state lawmakers, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, to raise the state’s distributed solar goal to 20 GW by 2035. Under New York’s current climate and energy…

The post NYSEIA asks Gov. Hochul to double distributed solar goal appeared first on Solar Power World.

Trina to unveil 10-MWh ESS to North American market this summer

Kelly Pickerel — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 13:44:16 +0000

Trina Storage Solutions US has released its Elementa 2 Elevate solution to the North American market. The 10-MWh energy storage solution is designed to support grid stability and renewable energy integration. The Elementa 2 product maxes at 4.075 MWh. Trina manufactures its own LFP battery cell, which provides it with transparency and control over its…

The post Trina to unveil 10-MWh ESS to North American market this summer appeared first on Solar Power World.

NorSun to make silicon ingots and wafers at new 5-GW factory in Oklahoma

Kelly Pickerel — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 18:36:56 +0000

Norwegian silicon wafer manufacturer NorSun announced it will build a new 5-GW silicon ingot and wafer manufacturing facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The company will invest $620 million into the site on Tulsa International Airport property. The factory should support 320 direct jobs. “Our business plan has an ambitious timeline, so we knew we needed a…

The post NorSun to make silicon ingots and wafers at new 5-GW factory in Oklahoma appeared first on Solar Power World.

Largest solar project in South Dakota comes online

Billy Ludt — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 15:16:44 +0000

National Grid Renewables started operations at its Wild Springs Solar Project in Pennington County, South Dakota. The largest solar project in South Dakota to date, Wild Springs is a 128-MW solar project located in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) with a 114 MW power purchase agreement (PPA) with Basin Electric Power Cooperative. “The completion of…

The post Largest solar project in South Dakota comes online appeared first on Solar Power World.

Lightstar tapped to build 10-MW agrivoltaic solar portfolio for city of Detroit

Kelsey Misbrener — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 13:10:58 +0000

Lightstar, in collaboration with the City of Detroit, announced the launch of a new solar project that combines urban agriculture and renewable energy. This initiative, called “Locally-Sited Utility-Scale Solar,” marks the beginning of a multi-phase endeavor aimed at intertwining the growth of solar energy infrastructure with sustainable agricultural development in partnership with Detroit’s vibrant communities.…

The post Lightstar tapped to build 10-MW agrivoltaic solar portfolio for city of Detroit appeared first on Solar Power World.

Solar panel production begins at Meyer Burger plant in Arizona

Kelly Pickerel — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 12:08:19 +0000

Swiss solar technology pioneer Meyer Burger has started solar module assembly production at its new plant in Goodyear, Arizona. A factory audit was recently completed, and Meyer Burger said it passed without any issues. The solar cells being used in the American-assembled panels were produced at Meyer Burger’s German facility. Eventually, Meyer Burger will switch…

The post Solar panel production begins at Meyer Burger plant in Arizona appeared first on Solar Power World.

DOE’s free software helps defend solar projects from cyberattacks

Kelsey Misbrener — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 19:38:38 +0000

An award-winning project has expanded the toolbox that helps utilities and manufacturers prevent cybersecurity attacks from affecting the U.S. electric grid. In 2019, the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO), in collaboration with other DOE program offices, invested $4.5 million for the development of a first-of-its-kind software tool. The software identifies…

The post DOE’s free software helps defend solar projects from cyberattacks appeared first on Solar Power World.