How far should we push oversizing a solar power plant?
Fluence Energy has given guidance on optimizing solar module loading ratios, suggesting that a 1.9:1 DC:AC solar panel to inverter ratio, in defined circumstances, makes economic sense with integrated DC-coupled energy storage.
Solar power by sPower in Spotsylvania signs more contracts
The largest planned solar power plant east of the Rocky Mountains at 500 MW-AC has signed PPAs for all of its planned production with Microsoft, the University of Richmond, and a consortium of businesses including Apple.
Utility-backed fund raises $681 million for advanced energy technologies
Energy Impact Partners, who partners with 14 electric utilities, has raised $681 million to continue investing in technologies that have a high probability of influencing the future power grid.
Employee owned engineering firm installing advanced electric vehicle charging on campus
Burns & McDonnell, a 6,000-strong engineering firm, is installing a Greenlots EV charging network and integrating it into the company’s campus network. The engineers hope to offer EV related services to their many electric utility customers.
SolarEdge and Panasonic sitting in a tree…
The HIT S-Series smart module is being launched via a collaboration between Panasonic and SolarEdge. The pair is aiming to boost the installation speed and total electricity output of solar modules. The initial unit noted is a 330W solar module.
Smarter homes with solar+storage by Sonnen
The Sonnen ecoLinx adds home automation skills, via powerful industry partner tools, complementing the company’s energy storage, grid management and microgrid expertise.
Rhode Island’s solar-powered move: Conti signs 35 MW EPC agreement with Southern Sky
Conti Solar has signed a five project, 35 MW EPC agreement with Southern Sky Solar in Rhode Island. These projects alone would represent about 30% growth in the state’s total solar capacity, however, the state’s development queue is huge as it aims for 1 GW of renewable energy in 2020.
US triples energy storage installations, residential grows 10X to become largest sector
Wood Mackenzie projects that the U.S. energy storage market will reach well over $500 million in sales this year, following on 61.8 MW / 156.5 MWh of installations during the second quarter. Residential storage has grown at 61% per quarter since Q1 2017.
How solar power saved $6.7 million on a Tuesday
A report analyzing the week of a heat wave in the Northeast estimates that solar power saved $30 million in wholesale electricity costs due to lowering demand at its peak during mid-day – including $6.7 million in savings on July 3rd.
Europeans break ground in Texas and Utah on 300 MW of solar power
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners have started construction on their Misae and Sage solar power projects, located in Texas and Utah and sized 240 MW-AC and 58 MW-AC, respectively.
