Texas storms show industry’s solar hail defenses work
A look at the benefit of hail monitoring and stow as exemplified in three projects in Texas that were exposed to the same system of hailstorms as Fighting Jays Solar, a large project that suffered major hail damage.
Sunrise brief: U.S. electricity rates rise about 5% annually, outpacing inflation
Also on the rise: Half of distribution transformers are approaching end of life. Agrivoltaic pilot program announced in New Jersey. And more.
BLM approves solar project on 3,500 acres of public land
The Bureau of Land Management has approved a 600 MW solar project in Arizona.
Agrivoltaic pilot program announced in New Jersey
Agrivoltaics co-locates solar with agriculture. The incentive program will provide its results to inform the design of a permanent agrivoltaic program.
U.S. electricity rates rise about 5% annually – outpacing inflation
While electricity generation costs have gone down thanks to technology like solar and wind, transmission and distribution costs have driven bills higher, said a report from Lawrence Berkeley National laboratory.
IRA returns 4X on taxpayer investment
A recent report by American Clean Power finds that the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will create millions of jobs, boost economic growth and have lasting impact on the U.S. economy.
Solar panel cleaning: Emerging field in environment, health and safety
Solar asset management traditionally emphasizes the electrical aspects of maintaining solar installations. However, solar panel cleaning is often an overlooked and oversimplified task within the solar industry.
Curtailing solar photovoltaics is here to stay, overbuilding PV will become normal
As the penetration of variable renewable energy increases, curtailment of solar PV generation will only increase. Since curtailment will almost always be cheaper than investing in new transmission capacity or new grid-scale storage, curtailed energy should be rewarded, so that PV investment decisions can include curtailment as one of the flexibility options for grid operators.
Half of distribution transformers are approaching end of life
Utilities buying distribution transformers face waiting times and higher prices, as do solar developers needing similar step-up transformers. Distributed solar can extend the useful life of distribution transformers, says an NREL report.
Bifacial solar panels now recycled in North Carolina
SolarPanelRecycling.com launches the first automated bifacial recycling line with reported 99% recovery rates.
