Solar wafer prices stabilize with potential for future price hike
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
New solar tree design offers improved module cooling, lower shading losses
Researchers in Hungary have proposed to build photovoltaic trees with a significant distance between the solar panels. The proposed sunflower-shaped design reportedly reduces shading losses between the panels while improving cooling and heat dissipation.
Canadian farm lobby presents renewable energy proposal
Rural land for renewable generation should be considered as a last resort, developers should restore environments post-project, and hosting “site objections” should be considered, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) says in its submission regarding proposed renewable energy legal changes in the Canadian state of Ontario.
Georgia rooftop solar program “levels the playing field” for low-income households
Georgia BRIGHT is a solar lease program that provides access to solar for customers that may lack the credit rating or upfront cash for solar. Monthly bill savings are estimated to be about 20%.
Tesla releases API for solar, Powerwall, EV charger
The company released an application programming interface to enable third-party developers to interact with Tesla home energy products.
Texas solar generation surges amidst North America’s contrasting December patterns
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that varied patterns have impacted solar generation across North America in late December. The South experienced up to 30% higher irradiance than the long-term December average, resulting from a persistent Atlantic high-pressure system driving easterly winds. which kept moisture from the Gulf of Mexico offshore.
Department of Energy to provide $40 million to train energy audit workforce
The Energy Audit Training program is intended to help states upskill their workforce to ensure that buildings transitioning to renewable methods of energy production meet industry standards.
First Solar to power its module factory in India with solar and wind
Cleantech Solar says it plans to develop 150 MW of solar and 16.8 MW of wind in India, supplying around 7.3 GWh of clean electricity to First Solar’s new 3.3 GW vertically integrated solar factory in the state of Tamil Nadu. The solar component of the project will use First Solar’s India-made Series 7 modules.
The largest solar facility in Wisconsin is now active
The 300 MW project serves Madison Gas and Electric and WE Energies customers.
Contact lens manufacturer safeguards operations with rooftop solar
California-based Staar Surgical will reduce operational costs and avoid spoiled production with an on-site solar microgrid.
