GivePower takes aim at water scarcity with new solar desalination systems
SolarCity, a nonprofit acquired by Tesla, launched the nonprofit GivePower in 2013 — and the Rive brothers, SolarCity’s founders, are on the board.
Ethical energy storage needs ethical strategies for cobalt supply
Amnesty International has denounced cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo for human rights violations and the use of child labor since 2016. This has led LG Chem and other companies to insist on standards for battery cell suppliers.
Report: the commercial opportunity for off-grid solar power in Africa is $24 billion per year
On a continent where 600 million people have no access to electricity, “The combination of solar and fintech is driving an economic transformation.”
Caterpillar, SunPower team up on CAT-branded solar
Caterpillar-branded SunPower modules will be available in Southeast Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East – but not yet the United States.
Solar and wind plus storage to increasingly replace gas plants
A session at BNEF’s Future of Energy Summit explored how renewables paired with energy storage are successfully competing with new gas plants.
OPIC funds $253 million in overseas solar during 2017
The U.S. government’s lender for U.S. interests operating in developing markets increased clean energy financing in 2017, despite the arrival of the Trump Administration and an ongoing investigation.
Battery storage challenges: Materials, longevity and project management
An academic event held last week in the U.K. presenting the results of two major research projects on energy storage provided an update on the current and future directions of battery storage technology and development.
Trump opens the door for specific products to be excluded from tariffs
The President’s proclamation provides a path for specific products to apply for exemption from tariffs, which had been sought by both SunPower and the government of Korea. Additionally, imports from a number of developing nations are exempt as long as import levels remain small.
IEA explores paths to PV and wind integration
The International Energy Agency has released a manual for policy makers on the issues involved in the large scale integration of solar and wind power into power grids.
Rapper Akon lights up Africa with solar
Akon, the platinum-selling rapper, is lighting up Africa with solar lighting and other products thanks to a reported $1 billion credit line with Chinese manufacturers and a skill for celebrity networking.
