Manufacturing

Solar inverters are turning into the quarterback to the solar modules as wide receivers. And with the need to deliver energy services, talk with the broader power grid, protect first responders and more – the inverter playbook is expanding.

For most people, solar power means solar panels – but that’s not all that goes into a solar installation. We bring you the beauty of trackers, ground screws, l-feet and all that finely machined metal.

GTM Research says the 10% tariffs that the Trump Administration is calling for are “significant”, and some companies and sectors will be affected more than others.

As the trade war escalates, inverters may be the latest victims.

Cruising the floor at a solar power conference is always full of ‘oohs and aahs’. New hardware – new software – and new techniques of getting solar into the world!

California’s NEXTracker has acquired key IP from French company Optimum Tracker to “fortify” its current offerings, while opening opportunities for further platform growth.

The company is planning pilot U.S. inverter assembly in Texas, while it scouts for manufacturing locations in the U.S. Midwest.

HVDC’s main challenge is the price, which can cost between $1.17-8.6 million per mile, along with scaling the technology in the United States.

The Silver Institute finds the amount of silver loading may fall from 130 mg per cell in 2016 to roughly 65 mg by 2028. Alternative and cheaper raw materials, such as copper and aluminum, are not expected to replace silver in commercial cell production, at least in the next decade.

The company’s U.S. subsidiary is part of the purchasing agreement, which appears to come just in time as the factory in Shelby was running out of funds to operate.