Swiss solar tiles for new and historic buildings – in photos
The product costs around $28 to $30 per square-foot although prices will vary depending on project complexity. Swiss manufacturer Freesuns says its tiles can be used on historic buildings and can cover 100% of rooftops.
Morning Brief: New Mexico utility breaks up with coal, Tesla adds commercial storage ordering
Also in the brief: CALSSA organizes mask and PPE donations, National Grid is postponing projects in Rhode Island, Envision Solar has officially launched the upgraded generation of EV ARC solar EV chargers and more!
Sungevity: the rise and fall and fall again
The formerly bankrupt and since reborn residential solar company abruptly laid off nearly 400 workers yesterday. For the third time in company history, a significant portion of the workforce was laid off with no warning. Now Sungevity’s future is uncertain – yet again.
Solaria files suit against Canadian Solar for patent infringement on PV cell ‘shingling’ technology
Solaria CEO Suvi Sharma. “When foreign companies such as Canadian Solar ignore American patents and violate our core IP, we will take action to enforce and protect the technology that took so much effort and investment to develop.”
Inovateus Solar launches 100% zero-waste bathroom sustainability initiative
A new type of sheltering in place.
Morning brief: Tesla’s massive battery system bid, no Covid-19 effect visible yet for module imports
Also in the brief: kWh Analytics’ insurance policy on solar production and revenues, Solar FlexRack has reached 200 solar tracker installations, the Wallingford Renewable Energy solar project has been sold and more.
Cooling down PV panels with water
France’s Sunbooster has developed a technology to cool down solar modules when the ambient temperature exceeds 25 C. The solution features a set of pipes that spread a thin film of water onto the glass surface of the panels in rooftop PV systems and ground-mounted plants. The cooling systems collect the water from rainwater tanks and then recycle, filter and store it again. The company claims the technology can facilitate an annual increase in power generation of between 8% and 12%.
HVDC transmission helps wind but may not help solar
A $2.5 billion Midwestern HVDC transmission project to carry mostly wind power has gained major new investments, which help validate the technology. But an HVDC transmission project that would primarily drive more solar capacity is yet to be identified.
Finalized SAFE policy slashes vehicle emission standards
In a rollback of Obama-era policy, the new regulation restricts carbon dioxide emissions standards by 1.5% a year through model year 2026, a figure opponents of the bill feel is not nearly enough.
What options will emerge to replace tax equity financing for solar?
With the scope of global turmoil caused by Covid-19, tax equity, the predominant vehicle for solar project financing will slow down considerably. What options will arise to replace tax equity, and how will they shape the different branches of development?
