Modules & Upstream Manufacturing

SolarJuice modules are manufactured in the company’s new facility in Sacramento, California–at the former, revamped Sunergy PV solar plant.

The decision has shaken the clean energy world, and many of the solar energy industry’s thought leaders have chimed in with their perspective on the decision and its ramifications.

The announcement of the investigation brings the US solar industry ever closer to what has been described as a worst-case scenario for the companies that supply 80% of the country’s solar cell imports, with no domestic manufacturing to alleviate the pressure.

Also on the rise: A new solar project will connect Illinois customers to clean energy and bill savings. US battery manufacturer acquires Northern Reliability. New York State, the largest and most active community solar market. Job moves at Encore Renewable Energy, Perch Energy, Origis Energy, and more. Nexamp adds energy storage to community solar projects in Massachusetts. Three-year solar tax battle fought and won in Puerto Rico. ComEd opens enrollment to community solar project.

Hanwha Solutions becomes the largest shareholder of REC Silicon and, pending passage of SEMA, commits to a multi-phase, multi-billion-dollar expansion across the full solar energy supply chain.

Heliene, a solar panel manufacturer, and UbiQD entered a joint development agreement for light-optimizing, energy-producing modules designed to top agrivoltaic greenhouses.

Also on the rise: DOE introduces five-year plan for reducing environmental impacts of solar. Three Wisconsin utilities to buy stake in $433 million Paris solar-plus-storage project. A group of 22 bi-partisan California legislators call on regulators to maintain net metering. Maxeon to provide 400MW of solar modules to Origis Energy. Source Renewables, Sol-REIT partner to develop 100MW of low-income solar.

DOE’s five-year plan aims to reduce the environmental impacts of solar panels at the end of life, plus cut in half the cost of recycling the panels.

Origis will procure the high-efficiency shingled bifacial Performance line solar modules for use in US utility-scale projects.

Also on the rise: Advanced conductors could enable 27GW more renewable power per year. Solar-powered data server network developed to frame the internet as a natural resource. Stanford flips the switch on new solar array, powering campus with 100% renewables. Project between Maui Electric and Paeahu Solar moves forward. Global tracker provider FTC Solar posts 130% growth in 2021. Newer and larger solar plants perform better, while older plants pick up steam with repowering.