SEC investigates Tesla, Sunrun over cancelled contracts
SEC has subpoenaed Sunrun, and is also looking into the number of Tesla customers who have backed out of leases, after state officials received hundreds of complaints about sales practices.
Florida’s House jumps on the solar bandwagon, Senate next?
Ten months after Florida voters approved a constituional amendment that exempts businesses from paying additional property taxes if they install solar arrays, the bill that actually allows it to happen finally passed the House unanimously.
Tesla scales down solar deployment in Q1, readies Solar Roof
The first full quarter since Tesla’s acquisition of SolarCity shows a 30% fall in watts of solar deployed, as the company focuses on preparations for the roll-out of its Solar Roof and Model 3 electric vehicle, including expanded battery production.
SGIP Step 1 (mostly) sells out in 24 hours
Lotteries have been triggered in the service areas of all four participating utilities, meaning that most incentives were fully subscribed in the first 24 hours. Deployment of the systems supported will more than double distributed battery storage capacities in California.
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.
