SolarJuice to ramp up solar manufacturing capacity to 1.1GW
SPI Solar plans to begin manufacturing solar panels in California using the existing production lines at the former Sunergy PV solar plant, boosting capacity to 1.1GW in Q3.
Speed up interconnection studies with enforceable timelines and third-party competition, say SEIA and allies
The proposed measures would prompt transmission providers to complete studies on time, the groups said. They asked federal energy regulators for an accelerated interconnection rulemaking.
Novel IBC solar cell architecture based on crystal photonics shows efficiency potential of 29.1%
Scientists in Germany designed a poly-Si on oxide (POLO) interdigitated back-contact (IBC) solar cell integrating photon crystals and found this architecture has the potential to reach a power conversion efficiency of over 28%, which would be 1% higher than the current practical limit set by the scientific community. They also found that by improving passivation, the efficiency may be raised up to 29.1%.
Sunrise brief: Schneider Electric purchases controlling stake in EnergySage
Also on the rise: Perch Energy to bring community solar to Massachusetts. US start-up mPower Technology is scaling up its flexible crystalline silicon solar module technology for spatial and terrestrial applications. Popular mid-Atlantic restaurant and convenience store chain, Sheetz, has come to a long-term renewable energy supply agreement with Constellation. Ohio regulators approve 325MW solar project. The Massachusetts Solar Technical Assistance Retrofits program has committed to 3MW of development. Despite Q4 loss, REC Silicon has big plans for US polysilicon manufacturing.
Sheetz enters renewable supply deal with Constellation
The deal will provide Sheetz with enough renewable energy to power nearly 70% of the chain’s Pennsylvania facilities.
Program for low-income housing authority solar assistance finds success in pilot, set to expand
The Massachusetts Solar Technical Assistance Retrofits (STAR) program has committed to 3MW of development.
Flexible PV panels based on hyperconnected back-contact solar cells
US start-up mPower Technology is scaling up its flexible crystalline silicon solar module technology for spatial and terrestrial applications. The back-contact solar panels consist of micro-singulated silicon dies that are “hyper-interconnected” in series or in parallel. The devices have efficiency ranging from 22 to 23% depending on the size or applications.
Ohio regulators approve 325MW solar project
The project is the third-largest approved under the state’s recent large-scale solar boom.
Schneider Electric purchases controlling stake in EnergySage
The acquisition is expected to enable EnergySage to develop new solutions for high-efficiency HVAC, smart home devices, and other clean energy products and services.
New Boston-based community solar company launches
Spun-off from BlueWave solar, Perch Energy brings experience spanning 500MW of contracted capacity. Massachusetts ranks third in the nation in community solar, and was one of the first in the country to establish it.
