Auxin and Suniva ask the ITC to extend Trump-era import tariffs
The two companies led the initial effort to impose tariffs and now claim they have been unable to complete plans to adjust to import competition given the pandemic, alleged “predatory” pricing, and other factors.
Sunrise brief: Solar+storage gains a solid foothold across the U.S. grid
Also on the rise: Three startups that aim to change the solar and clean tech sectors, battery companies join effort to improve cycling performance, solar PV shipments rose in 2020 as demand grew and costs fell, and more.
Solar FlexRack provides trackers for distributed solar projects in three states
The 30 MW of solar capacity is slated to be completed in 2022, with another 20 MW under development with Swinerton Renewable Energy.
Europe had just 650 MW of solar cell manufacturing capacity at the end of 2020
The Photovoltaics Report published by Fraunhofer ISE said that Europe had just 1.25 GW of solar wafer production capacity at the end of 2020.
Startup Sunday: EnergyX aims to cut Li-ion battery costs with a novel technology
Also starting up: Edgehog secures funding for its self-cleaning, anti-reflective glass; and Maana Electric looks to the Moon for its shipping container-sized PV module factories.
Battery companies join research partners to improve lead battery cycling
By targeting a specific organic material used in lead batteries, the group hopes to improve charging efficiency, which would result in longer battery life.
Data confirm the rise of solar-plus-storage hybrids across the U.S. grid
Battery prices are falling, and renewable energy generation continues to expand, leading power plant developers to co-locate energy storage along with power generation assets.
Tesla sells Maxwell Technologies but keeps its dry cell tech for lithium-ion batteries
Tesla acquired the supercapacitor maker in 2019, but has since moved on and sold the unit to UCAP-Power, while keeping the company’s dry electrode tech.
Sunrise brief: First Solar plans to add still more production capacity as global demand grows
Also on the rise: Startup invents battery breakthrough, Arizona is tapped for a Li-ion battery plant, solar PV shipments were up 33% in 2020 as demand rose and prices fell, and groups press DOE to move TVA off of fossil fuels.
Solar PV shipments were up 33% in 2020 as demand rose and costs fell
The Energy Information Administration reported that solar PV module shipments in 2020 totaled nearly 21.8 million peak kilowatts and had a total value of more than $8.2 billion.
