Solar industry icon: ‘This group of people is not going to be thwarted’
Dick Swanson has left his fingerprints all over the modern solar industry. He is widely known for spreading the word on solar’s impressive learning curve with what has become known as Swanson’s Law, for developing the interdigitated back contact (IBC) cell, and for founding SunPower. In June, Swanson was named 2025 IEEE Photonics Society Aron Kressel Award Recipient and spoke with pv magazine to reflect on his work.
Translating clean energy insights into action
pv magazine USA interviews Sheri Givens, president and CEO of the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), on
guiding developers, manufacturers, policymakers, and utilities through the accelerating energy transition.
Uncovering UV degradation risks in solar panels
An interview with Fraunhofer ISE on new discoveries of ultraviolet degradation risks.
Data center firms could buy utilities and add renewables, says trade group executive
Simon Mahan, executive director of the Southern Renewable Energy Association, has talked about the possibility that data center firms could buy electric utilities and then add the fastest, least-cost generators, namely renewables. The association he leads represents the wind, solar, storage and transmission industries. We interviewed him to learn more; here are his condensed remarks.
Focus on domestic content boosts solar executive’s confidence
OMCO Solar’s Eric Goodwin shared insight with pv magazine USA on a solar industry that eagerly awaits further federal recognition of the value of domestically manufactured solar mounting systems.
Solar and chip titan back in groove overhauling SunPower
T.J. Rogers, founder of former Cypress Semiconductor is forging global strategic alliances and hunting acquisition targets to restore the SunPower brand to solar-business greatness.
Sounds from the sun: Addressing acoustics for solar harmony
Fixing a project’s acoustics can be costly and difficult, but easily avoided if considered early in the project’s development.
Sunrise brief: Where does solar stand in Trump’s ‘all the above’ energy policy?
Also on the rise: Clean hydrogen set for commercial liftoff by 2030. $50 billion solar land boom in Texas. And more.
Wholesale electricity prices lower and more stable in 2024
Wholesale electricity prices were lower in 2024 than 2023, with less price volatility, as solar and battery energy storage expands, and lower natural gas prices stabilize major markets in the U.S.
Looking back, looking ahead
pv magazine USA spoke with Sheri Givens, president & CEO of the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) and Paul Lau, chief executive officer and general manager of Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and chairman, SEPA Board of Directors.
