Technology and R&D

Green Mountain Power suggests 500 distributed Tesla Powerwalls plus two larger energy storage facilities have saved its customers $500,000 this summer during peak demand hours.

PG&E has filed an interim report on customer-sited behind-the-meter smart inverters. The utility sees strong potential benefit for the grid with this technology, but says more standardization and reliable communication protocols must be established before a broad roll-out can occur.

Utility regulator Andy Tobin of the Arizona Corporation Commission has filed a docket to explore the potential role of blockchain technology on the power grid, suggesting that we are entering an age of energy technology convergence.

Solar inverters are turning into the quarterback to the solar modules as wide receivers. And with the need to deliver energy services, talk with the broader power grid, protect first responders and more – the inverter playbook is expanding.

For most people, solar power means solar panels – but that’s not all that goes into a solar installation. We bring you the beauty of trackers, ground screws, l-feet and all that finely machined metal.

Cruising the floor at a solar power conference is always full of ‘oohs and aahs’. New hardware – new software – and new techniques of getting solar into the world!

California’s NEXTracker has acquired key IP from French company Optimum Tracker to “fortify” its current offerings, while opening opportunities for further platform growth.

HVDC’s main challenge is the price, which can cost between $1.17-8.6 million per mile, along with scaling the technology in the United States.

In an pre-UL Certification specification page of the Powerhouse 3.0 Solar Shingle, RGS Energy notes a 55W, 15.6% efficiency shingle and a 60W, 17.1% efficiency shingle.

RGS Energy repeated its September goal for UL certification, while announcing an expansion of its manufacturing partnership with Revere Plastic Systems to support up to $138 million in Powerhouse annual sales.