The good news: The US added 13.3 GW of solar in 2019, beating wind and gas in new capacity
You know the bad news. Here are five takeaways from the pre-COVID-19 U.S. solar industry. As for how the coronavirus will impact 2020 foreacasts, supply chains, component costs and project timelines, stay safe and stay tuned.
Morning Brief: TVA solicits 200 MW of renewables, Sungrow supplies the Wright project
Also in the brief: 14 MW approved in Maine, 20 MW approved in Indiana, a molten aluminum thermal energy storage system and more.
Boralex bursts into the US market with 180 MW solar portfolio
The global renewable energy developer’s first foray into the American market will come via a four-project portfolio, developed in response to a NYSERDA renewable generation solicitation.
Construction begins on Ohio’s largest solar project
Hillcrest Solar has broken ground. The installation marks the beginning of what is expected to be an Ohio solar boon, with Wood Mackenzie ranking the state as top in the Midwest for development over the next five years.
Bifacial PV modules are going mainstream but more field data is needed — and NREL is on the case
Getting the most out of a bifacial module requires a rethink at almost every level of system design and the industry is hungry for field data generated by such systems to better inform energy yield modeling and define the best approaches to maximizing yield at minimal cost. NREL’s three-year study into bifacial performance is beginning to yield results.
City of Charlotte, Duke Energy agree to milestone power contract
Charlotte has become the first municipality to come to terms with Duke on a solar contract through the new Green Source Advantage program.
TOPCon n-type solar cell technology could be a rival to mono PERC
TOPCon cell technology has become one of the two leading next-generation options after mono PERC. But for the n-type architecture to truly become a rival to PERC, high-quality and cost-effective production technologies must become settled.
Morning brief: $1.8 billion FPL solar plan gets state approval, Bernie Sanders on public ownership of power sector
Also in the morning brief: Solar irradiance and coal deliveries fall, Schletter goes with extra-strong pile-driven foundations
Solar could be installed on coalfields in West Virginia if The Nature Conservancy succeeds
Some former surface coal mines in central Appalachia could be repurposed for solar development. The Nature Conservancy, a global land conservancy with $1 billion in annual revenues, is exploring the options.
Morning Brief: Kauai is 55% renewable, Dominion’s Virginia battery pilot approved
Also in the brief: Engie and JLL develop an energy program for State Fund, Oklahoma Gas and Electric is set to develop solar projects for the Chickasaw and Choctaw tribes, PG&E pays Topaz in January.
