John Fitzgerald Weaver
Roof-integrated solar takes 44% less time to install on new construction
A time-motion study by NREL discovered that retrofitting installations of roof-integrated photovoltaics takes 7% less labor time than standard solar installations. For new construction, the installation time drops by 44%.
A review of functional requirements for grid-forming inverters
As the grid evolves toward a future dominated by inverters, transitioning from the large spinning masses within turbines to a system managed by power electronics and software, manufacturers are developing and refining necessary stability functions.
Increasing restrictions on siting solar in the U.S.
A study from Columbia University has identified 59 new local renewable energy siting restrictions across 35 states in the U.S., taking the total count to 228. In addition, nine state level restrictions were noted as being severe enough to block projects.
Agrivoltaics seeking mainstream recognition in Farm Bill
Proposed legislation from two U.S. Senators would prioritize pollinator-friendly solar facilities for government funding, ahead of traditional, compacted dirt facilities.
Better solar projections mean better models and higher project valuations
Denowatts helps solar asset owners know what they’re ‘supposed’ to be generating, via their Deno Simulator, a self-powered digital weather station, and the corresponding Digital Twin software package.
Retrofitting solar farms with pollinators could yield up to $264 million in annual benefits for farmers
A new government research framework identifies farms using pollinator services within reach of existing solar facilities. The aim is to determine the financial benefits of these services for both farmers and solar landowners.
Meyer Burger and BayWa r.e. sign 250 MW annual procurement deal
Two European energy companies, Meyer Burger and BayWa r.e., have finalized a contract for their U.S. operations in which the developer will purchase 1.25 GW of modules from the manufacturer’s Arizona facility from 2025 to 2029.
Crow Renewables founded to develop assets upon $16 billion rooftop empire
Real estate developer and holding company Crow Holdings founded a renewables arm to develop solar-plus-storage assets on 500,000 square rooftops and in the approximately 25 MW utility scale space.
NY senator submits unforced errors and propaganda in bad-faith clean energy bill
Proposed legislation in the New York legislature aims to mandate that only wind and solar electricity sources can be used to manufacture “clean” wind, solar, and electric vehicles. The bill excludes nuclear and combustion-based energy sources.
Solar power crosses the political aisle; $75 million for agrivoltaics research
In a political landscape with ever-increasing divisions, solar has repeatedly crossed the aisle. This time, a new bill aims to fund agrivoltaics research and development over five years to help determine how to best integrate solar energy generation with U.S.-style farming operations.
