Sunrise brief: Solar supply chain issues–from duties to tariffs to COVID-19 and the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
Also on the rise: Advanced conductors could enable 27GW more renewable power per year. Solar-powered data server network developed to frame the internet as a natural resource. Stanford flips the switch on new solar array, powering campus with 100% renewables. Project between Maui Electric and Paeahu Solar moves forward. Global tracker provider FTC Solar posts 130% growth in 2021. Newer and larger solar plants perform better, while older plants pick up steam with repowering.
Upgrading transmission lines could enable 27GW more renewable power per year
“Advanced conductors” can deliver more electricity than conventional transmission lines, using existing transmission towers. Renewables trade group ACORE calls for greater use of advanced conductors, “to accelerate low-cost decarbonization.”
Solar-powered data server network developed to frame the internet as a natural resource
The Solar Protocol website maps solar exposure across the globe, activating data cloud centers when the sun shines. Developed by the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, the project intends to draw attention to the energy intensity of data processing, and to offer a more climate-friendly solution.
Hawaii Supreme Court upholds PUC’s approval of power purchase agreement
Despite a Maui community group’s allegation of potential harm caused by a proposed solar facility, the project between Maui Electric and Paeahu Solar moves forward.
Making sense of solar supply chain issues
From duties to tariffs to COVID-19 and the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, a look at the supply chain issues threatening the solar module supply market.
Newer and larger solar plants perform better, while older plants pick up steam with repowering
US government lab sees utility scale solar fleet degrading faster than projected at 1.2% a year, while newer and larger plants are degrading at only 0.7% a year. Older plants appear to be getting repowered in year seven, yielding lasting performance increases.
Stanford University now running on 100% renewables
Flipping the switch on the 88MW array this week is a major milestone toward its goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
Global tracker provider FTC Solar posts 44% growth in 2021
The company announced the launch of a turnkey operation for sub 20MW projects and reported revenues of $101.7 million in the fourth quarter.
Sunrise brief: Canadian Solar launches 420W rooftop solar module with 21.5% efficiency
Also on the rise: RFP released for 500MW of PV for Indiana Michigan Power. Enphase Energy acquires SolarLeadFactory, a solar sales generation specialist. Concentrating solar power with heat storage could compete with batteries. U.S. Light Energy completes the school and municpal solar projects for the Tri-County Energy Consortium.
US consortium aims for solar PV with a 50-year lifetime
The Department of Energy’s durable materials consortium is a multi-laboratory unit that stress-tests solar modules for durability. It seeks to extend the useful life of PV.
