Trump appoints fossil-fuel apostle to head renewable energy office
In keeping with his habit of appointing people who want to destroy the agencies they head, the president appointed outspoken renewables critic Daniel Simmons to Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
Utilities try new tactics to discourage solar, but still aren’t getting what they want
The latest NCCETC report on state solar policies finds some new twists as part of an ongoing attempt by utilities to weaken the economics of customer-owned solar, but regulators still mostly aren’t on board.
Natcore achieves 20.7% efficiency on silver-free back contact cell
The latest efficiency milestone for Natcore’s Foil Cell is verified by the NanoPower Research Lab at Rochester Institute for Technology. The result was achieved on the Natcore Foil Cell, which utilizes a lasering process and novel metallization strategy, eliminating the need for costly silver.
Deception wins in Indiana as governor signs anti-solar bill
SB 309, the bill designed to kill net-metering prematurely in the state, became law yesterday as Gov. Eric Holcomb affixed his signature to the bill despite strong solar industry opposition.
First Solar reports strong Q1 results as it readies for Series 6
First Solar brought in a net profit on the sale of a major solar project, as it orders tools and prepares for the switch to its large-format series 6.
SolarWorld reports shipment growth in first quarter
The German-American module maker shipped 382 MW in the first three months of this year. The company’s plan to focus on monocrystalline PERC products is being implemented according to schedule.
NRG continues moving into solar during Q1
Despite a challenging financial environment, NRG continues its solar expansion, including an increasing presence in community solar.
Solar largely survives Trump’s savage budget
Despite his bluster about huge cuts to renewable energy programs, the budget deal negotiated last week not only minimizes cuts to those programs, it actually increases money for research into the next critical technology for solar – battery storage.
Dominion to add 990 MW of solar PV over the next five years
The utility cites the falling cost of utility-scale solar for the expanded role, and the large majority of solar plants will be located in North Carolina.
Report: Near-total renewable energy systems cheaper than gas in 2030 (w/ chart)
A report released last week by Climate Policy Initiative stresses flexibility and shows how energy storage and limited gas generation can support a power system dominated by renewables at a lower cost than conventional generation.
