Design solar for storage now, or retrofit at a premium later
New analysis of retrofitting solar power plants with energy storage, accounting for the industry’s rapidly falling prices, suggests that prepping your solar projects today has a strong chance of being in your financial interest.
California’s transmission delays persist despite surge in projects driven by state policy
PG&E’s most frequent reason for delaying projects is “prioritization,” which added an average of 8.4 years to the project time, an analysis from the nonprofit Union of Concerned Scientists found.
Agrivoltaic shading, full-sun fields gives farmers the power to pivot
Research conducted at the oldest agrivoltaic research site in the United States found year-to-year weather variability impacts agrivoltaic crop production, emphasizing the importance in conducting studies across multiple years.
No photon left behind: NREL develops translucent solar panels for bigger, better crops
Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory grew tomatoes under translucent solar panels, which could play a promising role in agrivoltaics.
Yes in my backyard: research rejects ‘NIMBY’ hypothesis for solar opposition
Most people who live near large-scale solar projects have positive or neutral feelings about the solar project and only 18% would be opposed to additional solar projects, found a national survey published in Frontiers in Sustainable Energy Policy.
Batteries are stabilizing the Texas power grid
A study by North American Electric Reliability Corporation found that ultra-fast response times of batteries help to stabilize the grid better than slower thermal sources.
Abandoned coal mines can host over 10% of global solar capacity
A survey of mines closed since 2020 and those planned to close by 2030 present an opportunity for installing nearly 300 GW solar on already-developed lands, finds a report from Global Energy Monitor.
Connector failure accounts for loss of 58% of revenue in commercial solar portfolios
A report from HelioVolta finds connector issues in four out of five solar projects in the United States and details what can be done from procurement to field inspections to minimize risk.
Despite low gas prices, solar, wind remain cheapest sources of power in U.S.
Renewables remain cost-competitive in the United States despite rising natural gas competitiveness, according to Lazard’s 2025 “Levelized Cost of Energy+” report, which estimates combined cycle gas at $0.048/kWh to $0.107/kWh, solar at $0.038/kWh to $0.212/kWh, and nuclear at $0.141/kWh to $0.220/kWh.
Tracking the top states for community solar
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance releases its quarterly community solar tracker, which updates capacity in states with formal programs that allow non-utility ownership.
