Melting backsheets, broken cells, and hotspots
Quality roundtable preparation: A case of compromised quality. An operator claims nearly 17% of the modules in his array displayed significant damage after three years. The EPC company concealed the damage from the investor until the warranty had expired. The module manufacturer responded slowly and only out of goodwill.
PID-related performance drop in a solar farm
Some PV panels or batches of modules are susceptible to potential induced degradation (PID), while others are scarcely affected. Currently, many PV farm operators in Europe are experiencing this reality. The third instalment of our “Bring on the Black Sheep” series describes a case in which a module manufacturer behaved in a close to exemplary manner, but the inverter manufacturer made life difficult.
Florida initiative to exempt solar from property taxes passes by wide margin
The measure is a first step to lifting significant obstacles to the development of solar in the Sunshine State.
Washington D.C. is not meeting its solar carve-out
Data published by EIA shows that less than half the district’s solar requirement was met in 2015.
New faces and familiar faces: the pv magazine USA weekly digest
This week saw three new high-profile executive appointments, Berkeley Lab’s annual report showing ongoing solar cost collapses, progress on Tesla’s acquisition of SolarCity, and more.
M+W Energy appoints new president
Germany’s M+W Group today announced the appointment of Jim Brown as president of M+W Energy, based in Springfield, New Jersey, replacing Jerry Shinn.
IKEA to build Washington State’s largest rooftop solar array
With the 1.18 MW system, IKEA will have rooftop solar at nearly 90% of its U.S. facilities, for more than 40 MW.
BREAKING: SolarCity to lay off 108 workers in the SF Bay Area
The company will eliminate 80 employees from its San Mateo headquarters and another 28 from its offices in San Francisco.
Berkeley Lab: Solar contract prices fell below $50/MWh in 2015 (with charts)
The national lab’s latest report finds ongoing declines in PV system prices, with residential system prices falling to $4 per watt in 2015.
Duke executive takes over as REC Solar CEO
The move follows the U.S. utility leader’s acquisition of a majority stake in REC Solar last year.
