John Fitzgerald Weaver
Fifteen states shine with 50%+ solar growth in a year
The US saw solar power generation grow by 21.6% over the last year, with 26 states outpacing the national average. Among these, a group of 15 states achieved remarkable growth of over 50%, led by some surprising players.
Michigan townships challenge state’s solar control
A lawsuit alleges that Michigan’s takeover of zoning authority for large-scale solar and wind projects violates the state’s rulemaking process.
Two-minute warning for battery fires
Machine learning techniques have been trained to recognize the distinct sound of safety valve releases, offering an early warning system for battery fires.
Meyer Burger loses biggest customer, questions business viability
Swiss solar manufacturer Meyer Burger faces a significant setback as its largest U.S. customer, D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments, has terminated a long-term agreement to purchase solar panels from its Arizona facility.
Solar powers past wind
For the first time, solar photovoltaics generated more electricity than wind in a single month, according to the EIA.
Government releases bottom-up solar pricing tool
The U.S. Department of Energy’s latest solar cost model shows that residential solar prices are up, commercial solar is getting cheaper and utility-scale pricing remains flat. The addition of batteries increases costs by $1.75/W for residential projects and $0.75/W for larger installations.
Should the solar tax credit be 80%?
In markets where consumers face volatile methane prices, MIT researchers propose that increasing installation incentives may be the most effective way to maximize social good and mitigate long-term risks in U.S. electricity markets.
Retrofitting batteries increases solar plant revenue 29% to 81%
In areas with high population density or abundant solar energy, adding one to four hours of battery storage to a solar power facility can significantly increase site revenue. However, the added value diminishes with storage capacities exceeding four hours.
Positive early results from first test of perovskite tandem solar cells in space
The perovskite-silicon and thin-film tandem solar cells were developed by Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and placed on an OOV-Cube small satellite to test their reactions to high levels of radiation—and whether “soft” perovskite solar cells can heal after taking on radiation damage.
Over $3.1 billion in tax credits for solar, storage, and hybrid projects transferred
Crux’s latest Q3 2024 market update reveals large project tax credit premiums, with significant volumes from energy storage and hybrid solar power plants – and even nuclear power in the mix.
