Higher module efficiencies and inverters driving solar power cost declines
NREL’s Q1 2018 cost report for solar power systems saw a 5% drop in residential costs and a 2.6% fall in commercial, but a 1-2% increase in the utility scale space compared to the previous year.
Solar Frontier Americas moves into the IPP space with Mustang Two acquisition
The U.S. subsidiary of the Japanese thin film PV maker has swooped up the 210 MWdc project in California, as its first move towards owning and operating solar power plants.
$15 million for solar in San Antonio, with a local twist
CPS Energy has made available up to $2500 per home and 60¢ per watt for business solar installations – with bonuses for locally produced solar modules, and a 25% lower incentive for non-local installers.
Nuclear negations yield renewable energy leverage
As part of the recently approved settlement negotiations associated with the failed VC Summer Nuclear Plant expansion in South Carolina, renewable energy has gained greater PPA and IRP access, and greater market continuity.
Solar + wind + storage makes for a DC-powered microgrid
Ensync has begun work on a microgrid tying together 48 kW of vertical wind turbines, 495 kW of rooftop solar, and 730 kWh of energy storage.
The solar plus storage must flow
Ideal Energy has installed a single-axis tracker, 1.1 MW DC solar plant with NexTracker’s largest flow battery project to date: a 35 unit, 350 kW / 1.1 MWh Avalon Battery vanadium flow system.
A new solar powered #2 rises, and it looks to keep growing
Con Edison states that it has become the number two solar power generator in North America with the finalization of its Sempra purchase which included 980 MWac of operating solar.
First Solar sees a doubling coming in 2019
The PV maker projects 5.4 to 5.6 GW of solar module shipments next year, more than double its current projected 2018 volumes of 2.6 to 2.7 GW.
Long Draw Solar signs 100 MWac at 2.5¢/kWh
Engie has secured a power purchase agreement for 100 MWac of a 255 MW solar plant, with New Braunfels Utilities. The plant is expected to come online in June 2020.
$200 million on the table for 8minutenergy in venture with J.P. Morgan
The solar developer today announced that it has reached a deal with J.P. Morgan and Upper Bay for over $200 million in capital commitments. These funds will go towards financing the development of 8minutenergy’s 10.7 GW project pipeline.
