Half of homeowners see solar as a good investment, but 75% said cost is a problem
A survey report from solar design and sales software provider Aurora Solar showed continued customer interest in solar, but a high interest rate environment is dampening that interest.
Rural electric co-ops lend money to customers to improve energy efficiency
Some rural electric cooperative utilities allow customers to pay off energy efficiency improvement loans through their utility bills. That contributes to energy efficiency’s role in the renewables transition.
IRENA says solar capacity rose by 345.5 GW in 2023
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) says developers installed 345.5 GW of solar throughout the world in 2023. China mainly drove the surge, accounting for nearly three-quarters of all new renewable energy, but IRENA says more equitable growth will be needed to hit 2030 deployment targets.
Solar industry calls for domestic content revisions to support U.S. manufacturing
With stronger support for the early stages of the process, U.S. module manufacturers would be less dependent on imports from Chinese-owned companies for these materials, according to a recent report from the Solar Energy Manufacturers for America Coalition.
Sunrise brief: Solar laggards–The five states with the least amount of solar installed
Also on the rise: Solar boom in Texas. Californians could see up to $128 fixed charge added to their monthly electric bill. And more.
Texas solar boom project updates
Hundreds of megawatts of clean energy head to Texas as Microsoft signs a power purchase agreement, Amshore secures land for solar and batteries, and Swift Current Energy secures tax equity for a 260 MW project.
Californians could see up to $128 fixed charge added to their monthly electric bill
The monthly charge would be assessed regardless of any energy conservation efforts or solar production at home. Eighteen California Congressional representatives wrote a letter to the Public Utilities Commission warning the proposed charge would harm low- and middle income residents and “undercut investments in renewable energy.”
DOE awards $5 million for clean energy workforce development through minority-supporting institutions
The funding will go to Tennessee State and University of Texas, El Paso, to help train students in the skills needed to succeed in solar and other clean energy careers.
Quebec announces 300 MW solar tender
The government of the Canadian province of Quebec aims to deploy 300 MW of solar through tenders under utility Hydro-Quebec, in a bid to diversify the supply of renewables.
Thornova launches 720 W TOPCon solar panel with 23.2% efficiency
U.S.-based Thornova said its new panel features a power conversion efficiency spanning from 22.4% to 23.2% and a temperature coefficient of -0.29% per C. The company is a subsidiary of China-based manufacturer Sunova Solar and is currently planning a cell and module factory at an unspecified location in the United States.
