U.S. solar industry week in review
pv magazine USA spotlights news stories of the past week including market trends, project updates, policy changes and more.
Faulty installations often to blame for battery fires
The Electric Power Research Institute, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and German battery analysis specialist Twaice have jointly evaluated 26 battery fires between 2018 and 2023. They say that the diversity of components plays a critical role in igniting fires.
No ceiling on U.S. glass opportunity
With PV module capacity ramping up, glass suppliers have been investing in new solar glass production capacity. As in India and China, new facilities are popping up in North America, with unique twists to ensure competitiveness, such as using recycled material.
U.S. solar exceeds five million installations
Over half of all U.S. solar installations have come online since the start of 2020 and over 25% have come online since the Inflation Reduction Act became law.
Plug Power’s $1.6 billion loan guarantee for clean hydrogen facilities
The Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office announced a conditional commitment for loan guarantee to help finance construction of up to six facilities across several U.S. states to produce clean hydrogen using Plug Power’s own electrolyzer technology.
Sunrise brief: Bifacial solar module tariffs reinstated
Also on the rise: More bark than bite–U.S. solar tariffs and the shadow of larger trade measures. Solidion seeks to provide sodium-based electrolytes as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries. And more.
November election pivotal to clean energy momentum
A Wood Mackenzie report that a Republican victory in 2024 presidential election could put $1 trillion energy investment on the line and put pressure on states to step up.
Bifacial solar module tariffs reinstated
The Office of the President has turned its focus to solar panels, announcing the removal of the bifacial solar panel Section 301 tariff exclusion and addressing issues of stockpiling during trade cases, alongside promoting the nation’s manufacturing base.
Startup debuts wall-mountable, tabletop residential heat pump
Quilt unveiled a residential heat pump with a coefficient of performance (COP) of up to 4 and noise levels of 27 dBA to 47 dBA. The startup recently raised $35.9 million from a group of investors.
More bark than bite: U.S. solar tariffs and the shadow of larger trade measures
Intensified trade measures against China via increasing tariffs on imported solar and battery cells represents a significant policy step, however, the impact is clouded by global manufacturing shifts, price decreases and looming Commerce Department trade complaints.
