Rain insufficient for removing tree pollen from solar panels
An analysis by NREL in North Carolina reveals that various types of tree pollen can reduce solar panel efficiency by over 15%. Unlike the immediate improvements assumed to follow heavy rain, recovery of performance post-pollen season is gradual. Manual cleaning post-rain can boost performance by 5% to 11%.
Sunrise brief: Qcells inks its largest module and EPC agreement
Also on the rise: Auxin Solar files antidumping lawsuit against U.S. government, a Maine town bans commercial solar, and more.
Small town in Maine bans commercial solar
The township of Moscow, Maine, home to just over 500 residents, banned all commercial solar installations greater than 40 kW within town limits.
Canadian farm lobby presents renewable energy proposal
Rural land for renewable generation should be considered as a last resort, developers should restore environments post-project, and hosting “site objections” should be considered, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) says in its submission regarding proposed renewable energy legal changes in the Canadian state of Ontario.
Vertical agrivoltaic plant to be constructed in Vermont
Vertical solar plants with bifacial modules can absorb more energy than other tilted models and are finding agricultural application around the world.
Qcells inks its largest module and EPC agreement
In an eight-year agreement with Microsoft, Qcells will supply 12 GW of modules along with EPC services.
Sunrise brief: Georgia rooftop solar program “levels the playing field” for low-income households
Also on the rise: Tesla releases API for solar, Powerwall, EV charger. Heat pump awareness. And more.
More awareness of heat pump capabilities and incentives could drive adoption
Despite generous incentives offered for heat pumps, adoption by both homeowners and contractors may be stalled by lack of understanding of the function of today’s heat pumps or awareness of the incentives.
Sunrise brief: Wisconsin’s largest solar project is now operational
Also on the rise: Indoor bifacial solar cells, a grid-scale battery in Texas, solar for uninterrupted manufacturing, and more.
Direct Energy to power Boston Community Choice Electricity program
This municipal aggregation initiative will offer Boston residents 24% to 100% renewable electricity while reducing their utility bills by about 15%.
