Are California’s electricity prices rising because customers are installing solar panels?
Electricity rates are rising in California. Utilities say rooftop solar is to blame. Grid expert and economist-at-large Ahmad Faruqui comments.
From production to disposal: Addressing toxicity concerns in lithium batteries
As we strive for an equitable and sustainable energy future, addressing safety and toxicity challenges are driving the search for innovative, lithium-free battery technologies that can offer comparable performance without compromising safety or environmental impact.
City of Phoenix embraces second-life batteries
A pilot project uses remanufactured lithium batteries from electric forklifts to power lighting in a Phoenix park.
How to become a solar installer
The solar industry is booming, and so is the demand for skilled workers. Over 263,000 people are already employed in solar across the U.S., but the industry needs to reach more than a million by the end of the decade.
Concentrated solar power, a much cheaper solution than batteries for energy storage
By offering cheap energy storage, concentrating solar power has a huge potential. However, it requires international standards to become a competitive market proposition.
Wafer prices drop, inventory levels rebound despite operating rate cuts
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
Sunniest October on record for U.S. amid hurricane disruptions
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that October delivered record-high irradiance across much of the United States, with a high-pressure system over the Eastern and Central regions driving a sustained period of warm, dry, and clear weather. Meanwhile, contrasting conditions in Canada’s coastal provinces and extreme weather in Florida underscored this month’s diverse impacts on North American solar generation.
Future-proofing battery energy storage investment
Energy losses and advances in battery technology can affect utility-scale storage asset performance over time. Jordan Perrone, senior project development engineer at Depcom Power, explains how planning for battery storage augmentation from the start can simplify future upgrades down the line.
Solar panels: Larger, thinner… and weaker?
With hailstorms in the United States and Australia severely damaging solar arrays – including “golf-ball sized” hail at the 350 MW Fighting Jays project in Texas in March 2024 – insurers are raising premiums and reducing or canceling hail coverage. Everoze Partner Simon Mason discusses the challenges the industry faces in minimizing its hail risk exposure.
Powering adventure with solar
The allure of the open road is strong in the United States, where highways can snake through breathtaking landscapes. Recreational vehicles (RVs) make adventuring easy but powering portable homes with diesel generators is a poor solution for today’s travelers. Briter Products President Avanti Lalwani tells pv magazine how her company is putting solar on wheels.
