Opinion & analysis

The solar supply chain problems that began last year with high prices and polysilicon shortages are persisting into 2022. But we are already seeing a stark difference from earlier predictions that prices would decline gradually each quarter this year. PV Infolink’s Alan Tu probes the solar market situation and offers insights.

Let’s ensure that low-income and environmental justice communities are first in line to benefit from clean energy technologies that reduce their household energy burden and safeguard against the impacts of climate change.

The Commerce Department has the choice to move forward with a baseless petition that will result in massive job losses and set back our clean energy goals or fix its mistake by immediately issuing a negative preliminary determination — speed is of the essence.

While costs are everything in the solar industry, sourcing the cheapest O&M contract possible is a dangerous game and such short-sighted sacrifices often end up costing asset owners more in the long run.

Transitioning to a clean-energy future is not just a matter of environmental stewardship, but an investment in national security.

Does it seem like every month there are new or changing requirements for products in the solar and storage industry? How is it possible to make sense of all the changes? This series will consider requirements used for the certification of grid support utility-interactive inverters and how they have and continue to evolve. This article will focus is on grid support utility-interactive PV inverters, regardless of the primary power source. Some of the standards discussed cover more product categories than solely grid support utility-interactive inverters. The rapid growth of the PV and storage industry has been the main driver for the updates covered.

Also on the rise: Advanced conductors could enable 27GW more renewable power per year. Solar-powered data server network developed to frame the internet as a natural resource. Stanford flips the switch on new solar array, powering campus with 100% renewables. Project between Maui Electric and Paeahu Solar moves forward. Global tracker provider FTC Solar posts 130% growth in 2021. Newer and larger solar plants perform better, while older plants pick up steam with repowering.

From duties to tariffs to COVID-19 and the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, a look at the supply chain issues threatening the solar module supply market.

Also on the rise: Massachusetts issues request for proposals to develop a plan guiding the deployment of 10-20GW of solar power. Honeywell batteries deployed at Hecate Energy utility-scale solar and storage project. SEIA offers framework for siting community solar projects. A clunky tax credit system keeps vital incentives like the ITC and PTC from working the way Congress intended. Solar maintained its place as the country’s fastest-growing electrical resource, while widespread droughts caused hydropower to fall and coal saw a brief resurgence. Auxin antidumping case “an affront to the industry” said SOLV Energy CEO

A clunky tax credit system keeps vital incentives like the ITC and PTC from working the way Congress intended. Direct pay is the key to ensuring US projects have efficient access to low cost capital with greater certainty by providing cash incentives directly to clean energy projects and project sponsors.