Plastic for solar panels?
Three companies are swapping out aluminum and glass in favor of plastic to save weight and add flexibility. We look at the pros and cons.
Sunrise brief: Consumers can drive decarbonization faster than utilities, study says
Also on the rise: Ohio officials approve more utility-scale solar, SCE will add 2,150 MWh of energy storage, and large format modules are headed for standardization in a move driven by a Chinese trade group.
Big modules head for standardization
The China Photovoltaic Industry Association is expected to release a standard for 210mm modules before the end of October.
Sunrise brief: Calculating the economic lift offered by community solar
Also on the rise: Polysilicon prices are likely to stay high as a ‘crazy year’ extends into ’22, Hawaiian Electric is seeking energy and capacity, and the latest landfill-hosted solar array enters service.
Polysilicon’s upward price ride is not over, analyst says
Polysilicon prices could top $41/kg through 2021 and stabilize in the second quarter as springtime temperatures ease power demand constraints across China.
New York to sell solar equipment it bought for Tesla, Panasonic
More than $200 million in equipment will be sold as Tesla plans to ramp up and expand operations at a Buffalo manufacturing facility.
Sunrise brief: Koch JV expands its move into battery energy storage
Also on the rise: SEG Solar expands its module production in Cambodia, Kentucky’s solar pipeline looks impressive, and Summit Ridge starts work on a community solar portfolio.
SEG Solar expands its Cambodia-based module production
The California-based company said its expects that production in Cambodia will result in savings of 1 to 2 cents per watt at the system level.
Solar group names its members to Commerce, asks for public confidentiality
In a filing with the Department of Commerce, the group argued again that identifying its members publicly could expose them to retribution from Beijing.
Sunrise brief: DOE aims to expand community solar by 700% in four years
Also on the rise: Under new ownership, a Norwegian module maker could add 1 GW of U.S. capacity; Sunrun add $1 billion to a finance facility; and a natural gas-friendly renewable energy bill passes in North Carolina.
