“Germany is simply far ahead,” says solar executive
Why do photovoltaic customers in the US have different needs than those in Germany? And what does that mean for planning software that has already been very successful in one market and now aims to succeed in the other? Chris Hopper, co-founder of Aurora Solar, discusses AI-supported house models, lidar data, the One Big Beautiful Bill, the necessity of circuit diagrams, and why the German market is more advanced than the US market in an interview with pv magazine.
Civ Robotics unveils AI-powered navigation tool to automate solar construction processes
Civ Robotics’ artificial intelligence (AI) powered navigation system tool is currently being tested at several large solar parks in the United States. The company says it eliminates the need for manual surveying with a sensor device fitted on a construction machine to guide operators to precisely place piles, pallets and PV modules.
MIT spin-out 247Solar aims to decarbonize baseload power and industrial heat
The company opened a $25 million Series B funding round to support its concentrated solar power solution that stores and dispatches heat and electricity.
Canadian Solar consolidates U.S. manufacturing under parent, including solar and storage
By moving US manufacturing assets out from under its China-listed firm, while aiming to be a developer, a module manufacturer, and a battery producer, without the China-owned scrutiny.
U.S. extends solar manufacturing tariff exclusions
The U.S. Trade Representative has extended the exclusion of 178 items from the Section 301 import tariffs that were put in place by the prior administration in 2024. The still standing tariffs include a 50% increase on solar cells
California lawmakers urge CPUC to enforce utility interconnection timelines
A coalition of 18 California legislators has formally urged the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to enforce regulations under “Rule 21” regarding the interconnection of customer-sited solar and energy storage systems.
Trina Storage launches AC-coupled battery for utility-scale applications
Offered primarily as a 10 MW unit, the new product is also available in a 5.5 MW version for customers with specific requirements.
Off-gas detectors could be key to battling lithium-ion battery risks, research shows
Research shows that off-gas detectors can serve as an early warning system for thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries.
In case you missed it: This week’s top five solar news stories
pv magazine USA spotlights news of the past week including market trends, project updates, policy changes and more.
Sodium-ion battery cell cost could drop to $40/kWh, says IRENA
A report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) notes that while it is still uncertain whether sodium-ion batteries will become a disruptive alternative to lithium-ion technology, they could offer significant cost-saving opportunities in applications such as electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage.
