Analyzing the 2% DC voltage drop rule
The good people at Mayfield Renewables take us deep into the technical weeds as they question a rule-of-thumb: Is the 2% DC voltage drop rule accurate for real-world conductor sizing or has technological progress in solar made the rule irrelevant?
Standardization: The sign of a maturing solar industry
The model of industry-wide standardization is one that the solar industry should look to achieve. A set of reliable rapid-shutdown standards will provide installers with the same level of choice and simplicity that other industries enjoy.
What is distributed generation’s real worth for the grid?
A thought experiment by Severin Borenstein suggests how much rooftop solar could reduce transmission and distribution costs.
Investing in equitable access to solar energy for Hispanic communities
As one of the fastest growing American communities, the Hispanic population has been historically underrepresented in solar energy. The barriers that have excluded Hispanic people from solar, however, are not permanent and work can be done to ensure an equitable energy transition.
Hiring for solar jobs during a pandemic
In spite of industry-wide job loss and economic slowdown associated with the pandemic, Kevin Gillespie, President of Headline Solar, shares how he has actually been able to make new hires and keep his business not just operating, but thriving.
Cutter Rail: Clenergy’s new mounting system just made for installers
Solar industry participants have produced a new Australian-manufactured rail for PV modules that has been engineered to ensure safety and longevity, while catering to the needs of installers who work on residential and commercial rooftop projects.
Energy Jobs: First Solar, Enel X, CELI, 7X Energy, National Grid, Terabase, i1 Energy, 8minute
Executive, career and boardroom moves in solar, storage, cleantech, utilities and energy VC.
Battery energy storage systems integrated in solar facilities to receive tax incentives
Tax incentives spurring deployment of energy storage are limited in their application, as they require the system to paired with solar. On top of this, the requirements to receive the tax incentives do not always align with advancements in battery technology and/or system design.
The net metering successor tariff ‘NEM-3’ proceeding in California has officially kicked off
This is a highly anticipated, high-stakes proceeding that will effectively modify the rules for the NEM tariff in California, arguably the single most important policy mechanism for customer-sited solar over the last decade.
WoodMac responds: investment in residential solar still strong, asset performance is healthy
Wood Mackenzie has responded to a criticized report, clarifying that Covid-19 impacts on residential solar finance are much less significant than initially expected — and that faster-than-expected recovery for investments in the industry have kept investor confidence high.
