Solar panel recycling in the US — a looming issue that could harm industry growth and reputation
The solar industry cannot claim to be a clean energy source if it leaves a trail of hazardous waste.
Morning Brief: High-voltage power lines are ugly, and the US needs more
Also in the brief: Ohio bill would ban new large solar and wind projects for up to three years
Senate confirms Clements and Christie to FERC, lengthy list of issues awaits new Commission
For the first time in nearly two years, FERC is at full strength, with the confirmations of Mark Christie and Allison Clements bringing the agency to a full five members. With Neil Chatterjee leaving in June, the agency is set to have a Democratic majority in the near future.
First Solar CEO: Ohio must join the fight to save America’s solar industry
Also in the morning brief: America’s largest solar project coming to Northeast Texas… and C2 Energy Capital has purchased California’s largest floating solar project from Ciel & Terre
New process to recover PET and EVA from recycled solar panels
Researchers in China are proposing a new technique to recover polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) in solar panels at the end of their lifecycle. The two materials represent around 15% of the total material in a wasted solar cell, with a share of 10% for EVA and 5% for PET, respectively.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: JA Solar sells solar farms while Tongwei announces lower cell prices
JA Solar has agreed to sell three solar farms to China Power Investment Corporation, while Tongwei announced lower prices on a number of cells. Eight leading players are calling for the standardization of PV products with 210 mm wafers.
Morning Brief: Ambri deploying its calcium-antimony battery? China could install 75 GW of solar next year
Also: Despite a rosy forecast, creating energy storage projects with competitive economics has been an elusive endeavor. Plus, rate design innovations are boosting the energy transition and Plug Power raises $1 billion for U.S. green hydrogen infrastructure build-out.
How does the US retire 236 GW of coal and 1,000 gas peaker plants?
Victory in the economic realm (increasingly the case with solar, solar-plus-storage and wind) is no guarantee of market victory if the regulations are stacked against renewables.
Morning Brief: Consumers Energy expands its net metering cap, Nautilus closes a financing commitment
Also in the brief: A New Mexico regulator has recommended denial of El Paso Electric’s planned expansion of the Newman Generating Station, Gemserv has launched a digital platform aimed at helping businesses transition to electric vehicles and more.
Morning Brief: an update on the Biden Transition, Boralex acquires 209 MW project portfolio
Also in the brief: how the Clean Energy Equity Act can help NJ rebuild better, Dominion signs a power contract for a 75 MW project in Virginia and more.
