Manufacturing

$42 million has been awarded to 40 projects with a range of applications, with another $65 million in funding planned for upcoming R&D projects.

The San Francisco-based clean tech firm has been selected by Southern California Edison to deliver a 40 MW fast-response energy storage system in the state to help manage circuit load and integrate higher levels of solar energy.

MiaSolé announced a new generation of FLEX Series solar panels for BIPV applications, with a 17 percent efficiency and a weight of 0.5 lb./sq. foot, four times less than glass panels.

Sun Action Tracker (SAT) has gained UL 3703 certification for its new single-axis tracker and has secured its first U.S. contract with the technology, for a 97 MW installation in California.

This week saw collaborations between nations and companies, some numbers on the U.S. energy storage market and progress in the carving up of SunEdison, as the solar industry prepares for the Solar Power International trade show.

Edisun Microgrids, based in Pasadena, has launched the first dual-axis solar tracker designed and built for the commercial and industrial flat rooftop solar market segment.

The trend toward more solar module manufacturers acquiring third-party warranty coverage for their products is helping to mitigate the long-term risk in a project and to make it more bankable, since the likelihood is that insurers will stay in business long after some module manufacturers.

As part of a focus on PV module and system quality in preparation for our Quality Roundtable at the Solar Power International Trade show in Las Vegas, pv magazine brings you an interview with DuPont Research Fellow Bill Gambogi and Director of Corporate Marketing Bob Olsen.

Quality control campaign: PV panel manufacturers selling plug connectors as MC4 compatible is nothing unusual. Two operators who have installed such modules are now struggling with lost insurance coverage and fires.

Changing technology, pressure to cut costs, dizzying price slumps and a number of other issues make solar module quality control as relevant as ever. The danger that modules could fail outright remains slim, so module reliability is still decisive for the success of the investment, explains George Touloupas, Director of Technology and Quality at CEA, in preparation of the 4th pv magazine Quality roundtable at SPI.