Solar Industry News
Italian municipality offers free EV recharging via off-grid PV shade
The municipality of Falconara Marittima, Italy, has installed a free off-grid PV shade for electric vehicle charging at no cost to users.
A solar-power plane being tested off the Mississippi coast is pushing the limits of flight
Skydweller has the wingspan of a 747 jet, only 5,000 lbs., will fly without a pilot at speeds of around 35mph and altitudes up to 40,000ft.
Floating solar array is designed to take the rough stuff
The idea of floating solar panels on reservoirs and other calm waters has already taken hold. Sending them off to sea is another matter of next-level engineering.
Hydrogen facility proposed in western Kern would run on solar power, wastewater
Wastewater, PV solar arrays & available space may come together to create renewable fuel for California's nascent hydrogen fuel cell market.
Reshaping the solar landscape with aerial imagery
Aerial imagery provides location intelligence and detailed insights, empowering engineers to design solar farms with laser-sharp precision.
Solar and green steel: A growing symbiotic relationship
The photovoltaic and steel industries can work together to meet climate targets and develop a greener manufacturing environment.
California approves use of DER schedules to avoid grid impact
The CPUC issued a significant decision allowing renewable energy systems to be approved to interconnect to the electric grid using LGP.
Largest floating solar array in Southeast US unveiled in Central Florida
The largest floating solar array in the Southeast US is officially generating clean energy in Central Florida.
Sicily produces photovoltaic energy and good wine together
The Cantine Vaccaro vineyard lives in perfect harmony with photovoltaic panels, a part of the “Agrivoltaico Open Labs” initiative in Italy.
First Solar invests $450M into thin film PV module R&D
First Solar is spending $450M to establish a research and development center focused on the production of thin film photovoltaic modules.
Mobile solar container stores photovoltaic panels that fold and unfold like an accordion
SolarCont has developed a mobile solar container that stores foldable photovoltaic panels for portable green energy anywhere.
Biden-Harris admin launches Clean Energy Connector
Families in NM, IL, and Washington D.C. will now have access to community solar through HHS’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
This California city is trading an old gas plant for a giant grid battery
Calpine’s billion-dollar, 680-megawatt project in Menifee will be one of the biggest batteries in the U.S. when it comes online this summer.
Residential heat pumps linked to solar-plus-storage achieve higher seasonal performance factor
Researchers at Germany’s Frauhofer ISE analyzed the performance of a residential heat pump connected to a rooftop PV system w/ battery storage
California’s new rules allow solar and batteries to help out the grid
Utilities tend to treat solar & batteries as threats to their power grids. CA’s policy will now tap their flexible power to benefit the grid.
Self-cleaning solar panels boost efficiency with wind power
A research team at DGIST in South Korea has unveiled an ingenious device that enhances solar power generation by keeping panels clean.
Energy projects aim to strengthen California farms
USDA is investing close to $6M in 9 renewable energy projects throughout CA to lower energy costs, generate new income, and support farmers & rural small business
California grid operator proposes $6.1 billion in transmission projects
California’s grid operator proposes $6.1B in transmission projects aimed at increasing reliability and providing access to solar, geothermal & wind resources in AZ, NV, NM and offshore.
Off-grid solar bench with wireless charging and Wi-Fi
California State University – Dominguez Hills has new off-grid solar powered benches on its campus that provides off-grid wireless charging.
America’s solar and wind energy hotspots, mapped
CA, TX and FL are leading the country in solar power generation, while TX, IA and OK are the leaders in wind energy, per a new analysis.
Wheat grows better in agrivoltaic facilities
Researchers in Italy have conducted a series of experiments to assess the quality of wheat growing under elevated agrivoltaic systems.