Policy

The Department of Energy is charting a course for the developing US photovoltaic manufacturing, which could mitigate global supply chain challenges and benefit the climate and the economy as well as helping the US achieve its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The 2022 Community Power Scorecard developed by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance grades the states on which give communities the most power to advance clean energy and which present barriers to local economic development through renewable power. Only four received top grades, indicating that most states have a lot of work to do.

Four groups that support rooftop solar have asked federal energy regulators to disallow the “common” utility practice of charging their customers for their anti-solar advocacy.

Also on the rise: Polysilicon reaches highest price since 2011. Ingeteam supplied 4.2GW of solar and battery inverters in 2021. WiTricity announces wireless EV charging. Job moves at Silfab Solar, LG Energy Solution, Centrica Business Solutions, and more. Why solar is a good fit for coal country.

In the United States, passage of the Build Back Better Act would extend
the solar Investment Tax Credit and offer other clean energy initiatives
that would boost the renewable energy momentum already underway in Senator Joe Manchin’s home state of West Virginia. This is good news for the state and is resulting in unlikely allies.

Residential and commercial solar equity and inclusion plans will be developed by Solar Energy Innovation Network, which recently selected eight teams dispersed throughout underserved areas the US to develop community-level plans.

ROTH Capital Partners sees a possibility of 5-10GW of utility-scale solar power facility developers finding it challenging to procure – cost effective or otherwise – solar panels for their projects, with some pushing off construction until Tier 1 products are available for purchase.

Also on the rise: LONGi modules detained under Hoshine WRO released. IBC solar cells shows efficiency potential of over 29%. SPI to begin manufacturing in former Sunergy plant. Is accelerated interconnection possible? Build Back Better now or later.

The decision will now go to the courts, where subsequent decisions and appeals could drag this matter on far into the foreseeable future.

After multiple rounds of slashing the total cost of the Build Back Better bill, US senators remain locked in negotiations. Democratic Senator Joe Manchin (West Virginia) voted against an earlier proposal, shocking many, and has now said he will reopen negotiations “starting from scratch.”