United States

California-based SEG Solar says its new panels have a temperature coefficient of -0.30% per degree Celsius. They come with a 30-year power output guarantee for 87.4% of the initial yield.

Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory demonstrated the use of sugar water to improve the performance of flow batteries for grid-scale energy storage.

Sumitomo says that its 2MW/8MWh vanadium redox flow battery achieved a 99% operating rate at San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E) facility in California. The battery is expected to retain a capacity rate of 90% or more for 20 years in the electricity market.

Leveraging the geotechnical consultant as a member of the development team leads to a more holistic approach to the design and construction of the solar project and allows them to provide valuable cost-saving advice and recommendations.

The initial framework calls for Columbia Water & Light to distribute solar energy using a net billing system from its first two projects in the municipality, Truman and Bernadette Fields, whose 1 MW of clean energy capacity is divided into 1.5 kW blocks for residential customers, with 15% of power capacity available to eligible low-income residents.

The RFP is open to all technologies, including supply side and non-supply side resources. Proposed projects must be in service beginning in 2026 through 2028.

The Inflation Reduction Act offers challenges to clean energy employers in meeting the new prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements. A panel of experts in a recent Intersolar webinar provides some insight.

Also on the rise: A new public utility for Maine would speed clean energy, say advocates. Utility ordered to repay customers for illegal community solar metering. And more.

Solar electricity was up 16% from 2022, a relatively modest increase due to lower deployed solar capacity in 2022 than in 2021. For the year, solar has covered 5% of all electricity so far, with emission-free sources greater than 43%.

A Maine referendum would create a new publicly owned utility that could purchase and operate the assets of the state’s two investor-owned utilities. Advocates say that would speed Maine’s path to 80% renewables by 2030.