Sunrise brief: The impact of wildfires on PV power generation
Also on the rise: Missouri solar jumps nearly 30% with Huck Finn facility coming online. OpenADR 3.0 standard can maximize demand flexibility to help integrate renewables. And more.
In case you missed it: Five big solar stories in the news this week
pv magazine USAspotlights news of the past week including market trends, project updates, policy changes and more.
Organic solar cells for space demonstrate radiation resistance, self-healing
Conventional silicon solar cells degrade rapidly in space, and gallium arsenide cells are heavy and inflexible. Research from the University of Michigan suggests carbon-based solar cells could be a good fit for space applications.
Solar developer withdraws Supreme Court case as public opposition halts project
Lightsource BP has abandoned plans for a 300 MW solar project in Ohio that was highly opposed by local residents.
The impact of wildfires on PV power generation
Scientists have studied the impact wildfires have on the availability of direct normal irradiance and global horizontal irradiance. The research found that direct irradiance is more sensitive to smoke than the PV-relevant global horizontal irradiance.
Missouri solar jumps nearly 30% with Huck Finn facility coming online
Owned by Ameren Missouri, this 200 MW solar plant is one of three solar facilities the company acquired in 2024. They have a combined capacity of 500 MW and represent a total acquisition cost of approximately $900 million.
Bright U.S. Midwest contrasts with cloudy coasts in 2024
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that the U.S. Midwest enjoyed exceptional conditions with irradiance up to 10% above normal across the year, while areas along the Gulf Coast and much of the West Coast experienced slightly below-average sunshine.
OpenADR 3.0 standard can maximize demand flexibility to help integrate renewables
Berkeley Lab’s CalFlexHub says global adoption of an improved communications method can foster a transition from event-based demand response to continuous price-based demand flexibility—increasing demand for renewable power at sunny and windy times.
Sunrise brief: Hemlock Semiconductor receives $325 million U.S. government funding for polysilicon production
Also on the rise: Jackery debuts Solar Roof Tile at CES 2025. Majority woman-owned developer begins construction on solar, battery facility in Nevada. And more.
Origis Energy closes $415 million for 145 MW solar project in Texas
The solar developer closed a deal for construction, term debt and tax equity financing for a project coming online in 2025.
