Terrasmart trackers now with hail stow feature Terrasmart reports that the hail mitigation system uses cloud-based monitoring to automatically trigger optimum stow position to protect solar assets without requiring operator intervention.

Report shows U.S. states and utilities easing into EVs The number and scope of electric vehicle regulations and charging incentives are increasing.

Utilities plan hydrogen power projects that crowd out renewables Several utilities have proposed hydrogen-capable generating units in their resource plans, a research center reports. But hydrogen projects face hurdles such that they “may not work” and conflict with renewables, another research group says.

The impact of semi-transparent solar modules on agrivoltaics yield Researchers have conducted a field study across two growing seasons, growing different kinds of vegetables under three types of modules with 40%, 5%, and 0% transparency. Their work is the first replicated research experiment that evaluates module transparency in an irrigated vegetable field setting.

New research finds solar module anti-reflective coatings may reduce LCOE by over 2% Researchers in Morocco have examined the effects of an anti-reflective coating on solar panel performance under desert conditions and have found that it enhanced both the annual performance ratio and the energy yield by 2% and 5.5%, respectively. They have also found it to be durable and able to withstand dry cleaning methods under accelerated testing.

Canadian Solar drops 15% post Q2 earnings report The solar company logged $1.64 billion in revenue, down from $2.36 billion in the previous year’s Q2.

Terrasmart announced the release of a new hail stow feature for its single-axis tracker,TerraTrak.

The risk of damage to solar plants from hail storms has increased with the frequency of extreme weather evens. Over the past five years, hail damage has caused more than 50% of total insured project losses, said hail risk expert VDE. Though infrequent, these events can produce record losses. In 2022, hail losses exceeded $300 million in Texas alone. Forty-year financial exposure models from engineering firm VDE Americas suggest that hail events could result in up to $13 million in damage at 0° tilt, compared to only $620,000 at 60°.

Terrasmart’s new hail stow capability mitigates that risk with its PeakYield, cloud-based tracker control and monitoring software platform. Terrasmart reports that the hail mitigation system automatically triggers optimum stow position to protect solar assets without requiring operator intervention.

Available for both 1P and 2P trackers, the hail stow solution adds to Terrasmart’s racking portfolio. The portfolio offers both ground screw and driven piles, designed to perform in the most extreme terrain and weather conditions.

“Project de-risking has, and continues to be, our most significant contribution to the solar industry,” says Terrasmart president Ed McKiernan. “Our new hail stow feature adds to our existing array of foundation and racking products that bring unique reliability to unreliable sites.”

Terrasmart outlines the following advantages of its hail stow feature:

• Automatic stow feature puts trackers into safe position without requiring operator intervention, reducing potential lapses from human factors
• High-tilt stow angle accounts for both wind and hail conditions, eliminating contradicting positions and ensuring a safe tracker position (+/- 50° for 1P and +/- 60° for 2P)
• Real-time, cloud-based weather forecast triggers activate based on industry-leading data from Accuweather
• Auto-stow feature activates 60 minutes before a weather event but timing can be customized to meet owner requirements
• Stow function does not require installing additional hardware or calibration over time

“Our motto at Terrasmart is to stow early and stow often,” says Ashton Vandermark, Terrasmart’s software solutions lead. “We are adamant about automatically triggering hail protection to avoid instances where manual intervention has not occurred during storms. We are excited about this latest addition to PeakYield’s cloud-based functionality and machine-learning intelligence to protect assets.”

Terrasmart, owned by Gibraltar Industries, has more than 25 GWs of solar deployed across 6,000 PV systems.

Terrasmart’s software team will be at RE+ in Anaheim September 10 to 12 in booth #D30011 to give live demos of PeakYield as well as discuss hail stow and other TerraTrak features.

Two years ago, the Biden Administration and Congress worked together to begin the process of reshoring solar manufacturing.

For the last 20 years, China has been working hard to secure a monopoly over this critical technology. While China has mostly succeeded, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) created a set of incentives to get us back in the game. But, one critical piece may undermine our progress – we are letting China-headquartered companies locate final manufacturing in the United States, taking advantage of those same incentives while preserving their supply chain monopoly over the fundamental components.

Fortunately, with the introduction of the American Tax Dollars for American Solar Manufacturing Act earlier this month, senators are trying to close this work-around and put American manufacturing back on a level playing field.

Solar energy was invented in the United States, but right now nearly all of it, and about 99% of the fundamental component (the wafer), is being manufactured elsewhere, specifically, by Chinese-controlled companies. As our government works to invest in clean energy, we’re incentivizing companies to build back their operations in the U.S. so Americans can benefit from good-paying jobs, foster innovation from our world-leading R&D abilities, and establish energy independence in the critical technologies for our future.

Congress created a remarkably far-sighted system to reshore solar, batteries and wind technology. Policymakers not only created supply-side incentives in the advanced manufacturing production incentive that encourage manufacturers to build big factories quickly, but they paired them with demand-side incentives to give developers who use the products a bonus if they buy the products of those factories as they build solar and wind farms.

Unfortunately, the guidance for that bonus issued by the Treasury Department so far has missed the mark and has now become one of the biggest obstacles to jumpstarting the onshoring of American solar manufacturing. As it stands, Chinese companies can continue to leverage their monopoly power over the fundamental components of solar, produced with weak environmental and labor protections as well as massive direct subsidies, and sell to projects claiming the “domestic content bonus.” The clock is ticking to get this right as billions of investment dollars and thousands of jobs in solar manufacturing hang in the balance. In a very real sense, the future of solar energy depends on it.

China has dominated the solar manufacturing sector for a decade, and they’ve done it using a familiar playbook to those of us who’ve watched what the OPEC cartel has done to oil markets. OPEC’s ability to control price was legendary and it wasn’t limited to keeping prices high. Much more importantly, they could crash prices when they wanted to in order to run out competition. From “heavy oil” in Venezuela, to oil sands in Canada, to fracking in the US, OPEC has demonstrated again and again that you can either join them like Venezuela or be run over, with the attendant economic crash that people in Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas have seen many times over.

Now, China is doing the same thing in solar – as we are currently seeing the lowest prices in history, far below production cost – to stifle our manufacturing renaissance before it gets a chance to take off. Stymying competition and, thus, innovation is chapter one of the cartel playbook and China has perfected their execution.

Look no further than our friends across the pond: nearly all of the European solar manufacturers have closed operations due to insufficient protections from below market Chinese products. Many are even looking to the United States, but that will quickly change if our policies don’t keep pace.

To build a robust solar supply chain in the United States, our government must prove that we have the backs of our manufacturers. Companies will not invest here if they do not think they will be protected. How are U.S. manufacturers supposed to compete when China is setting prices far below the cost of production?

The fact is, international competition is not for the faint of heart. Our companies can hold their own, but only if the government has their backs and helps build the foundation for successful competition. This means leveraging our strengths; our unmatched innovation apparatus, strong investor base, and our brutally efficient market that forces constant improvement. But this only works if we don’t ignore the fact that China simply doesn’t have a free market economy.

Unlike the U.S., where most of our economy is us selling products and services to each other, their entire economic system requires exports, because their consumer class doesn’t have the ability to support their economy. This means, the U.S. government must work to produce a level playing field for U.S. manufacturers through the three legged stool of production support, demand incentives, and tariffs and other trade remedies. For the first time in several generations, we’re on the path to building the supports our economy needs to thrive in these all-important industries – as long as we don’t lose our will to succeed,

No one action can unwind the years of investment that Chinese-headquartered solar firms have made to control the solar industry, but we must act now with every tool at our disposal. By updating the domestic content bonus, enforcing smart trade policy, and standing up to the Chinese-controlled monopoly trying to protect their dominance by doing the minimum possible in the U.S. we can reshore the domestic solar supply chain, ensure the United States is clean energy independent, and secure a future for solar manufacturing in America that will benefit workers, businesses and the environment.

 Mike Carr is the executive director of the SEMA Coalition. Prior to joining SEMA, Carr served as the principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the senior advisor to the director of energy policy and systems analysis at the U.S. Department of Energy from 2012 to 2015.  Prior to serving the President at DOE, Mike served as Senior Counsel to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources from 2004 to June 2012. He holds a law degree, with a Certificate of Specialization in Environmental and Natural Resources Law, from Lewis and Clark College and a Bachelor’s from the University of Colorado – Boulder.

Which solar inverter manufacturers are most financially stable?  Sinovoltaics, in its latest financial stability ranking of inverter manufacturers lists Hoymiles, Eaton and others at the top. 

Biden issues new proclamation on solar cell tariffs  Tariffs on solar cells remain, but volume increases from 5 GW to 12.5 GW.

What happens when solar is installed without homeowner’s permission A Connecticut couple and several companies including Sunrun have been sued by the state’s Attorney General for forging signatures, faking a voices, and unlawfully installing solar panels on a home without the owners’ consent.

Ebon Solar to invest nearly $1 billion in U.S. solar cell factory The solar cell manufacturing facility is to be located in New Mexico and expected to bring over 900 jobs to the area.

IRA 2-year anniversary: A look at its successes and failures David Burton, attorney with Norton Rose Fulbright and specialist in energy tax law, looks at tax credit transfer, domestic content, energy communities, prevailing wage and more.

ChargePoint, a provider of one of the largest EV charging networks in the United States, introduced Omni Port, an electric vehicle charging connector solution designed to be compatible with all major EVs.

Omni Port eliminates the hassle of carrying a charging adapter or having to dedicate parking spaces for different charging types. The port is available at no incremental cost, the company reports, and is now a standard feature of ChargePoint products.

“With Omni port, ChargePoint solved the challenges associated with a multiple connector environment, ensuring Tesla and non-Tesla drivers can continue to expect a world-class driver experience,” said Rick Wilmer, chief executive officer, ChargePoint.

ChargePoint designed the charging station to seamlessly adapt to each EV. Drivers enter their vehicle’s make and model into the ChargePoint app, tap to charge, and the charging station automatically releases the correct connector type. For users that would prefer not to use an app, a credit card payment option is available at the station.

Omni Port is built into both AC and DC charging stations. The charger enables full support for vehicles with 800 volt architecture, enabling max charging speeds for sustained periods.

The are more than 5.5 million EVs on roads in North America, more than half of which are equipped with J1772 or CCS1 charging ports. As automakers attempt to align on a single connector type for the future, these 5.5 million drivers need assurance that they will be able to charge when they need to. Omni port gives drivers and station owners peace of mind by combining these most common connector types into a single solution.

ChargePoint said Omni Port will begin to ship by the end of 2024. It can be retrofitted on ChargePoint CP6000 and Express Plus Power Link 2000 models at a “nominal cost.”

DCE Solar announced its Eco-Top rooftop solar mounting structure has achieved UL 3741 certification, placing the product in compliance with National Electric Code (NEC) 2020 standards.

The Eco-Top rooftop mount structure is designed for commercial and industrial rooftops. It is a ballasted racing system with durable recycled rubber ballast pads. DCE Solar said the mounts are designed to be roof-friendly, protecting the integrity of a roof by leveraging aerodynamics and structural performance to minimize roof loading. The mount uses recycled rubber ballast pads that limit vibration and protect the roof membrane and uses decreased ballast blocks and attachment counts to limit roof penetration and damage.

DCE Solar said its system requires five times fewer mechanical attachments and ballast blocks, resulting in material and labor savings of $0.03 to $0.06 per watt.

The company offers two main options – the Eco-Top High Density, which increases capacity by up to 20% with more wattage per square foot, and the Eco-Top-MR for metal roofs.

All structural components are constructed from g115 galvanized steel. An integral wind deflector minimizes system loading and also functions as a ballast tray, providing a location to place ballast in the array.

The structure is fastened via serrated flange heads. It has built-in vibration resistance and integral grounding and bonding, and all nuts are wax coated to eliminate galling.

The structure is rated for an average dead load of 3.5 psf, or 90 mph wind. It enables flat, 5 degrees, or 10-degree angle tilt. It has a 14 inch or 18 inch shade spacing. The Eco-Top mount supports all major module brands.

“Passing the UL 3741 certification for our Eco-Top Roof-Top solution underscores our dedication to safety, innovation, and efficiency in the solar industry,” said Bill Taylor, chief executive officer, DCE Solar. “This certification not only validates the quality of our product but also provides our customers with the confidence that they are investing in a top-tier, secure solar solution.”

DCE Solar is a U.S. manufacturer of solar ground-mounts and roof-mounted racking systems, founded in 2009. Find a product sheet for the Eco-Top here.

SunPower goes bankrupt The company, one of the longest running solar companies in the U.S., spun off its manufacturing business in 2020 to focus more squarely on rooftop solar as demand surged. Since then, demand cooled considerably, and, under a high interest rate environment, the strategy proved fatal for the company.

Goldman Sachs invests $440 million in renewable independent power producer  The strategic investment in BrightNight will support the development of utility, commercial, and industrial solar and energy storage projects.

More money is going into solar than all other forms of generation combined, reaching $500 billion in 2024 The International Energy Agency projects that solar will attract more investment than all other electricity generation sources combined. Global energy spending is set to surpass $3 trillion for the first time this year.

Republicans request continuation of IRA post-January Eighteen Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives have urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to preserve the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) if their party takes control of the political reins in January.

Sunrun stock rises on strong cash generation in Q2 earnings The residential solar and energy storage provider increased its battery attachment rates and net subscriber value of its customers.

Microvast Holdings, a battery designer, developer, and manufacturer, announced a new energy storage system product called the ME6.

The ME6 is a high energy density lithium ferro-phosphate (LFP) containerized battery system that carries 6 MWh of power in a 21-foot container.

Microvast has a long history of developing nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries for commercial vehicle customers. The new 565 Ah LFP-based batteries are optimized for stationary energy storage system customers.

“Energy storage is essential for carbon reduction and accelerating the global transition to clean energy. Our ME6 energy storage solution can be used for any application where electric energy supply is needed,” said Yang Wu, chief executive officer of Microvast.

The containerized battery has a lifecycle exceeding 10,000 cycles and up to a 30-year lifespan, said the company. It is IP55, and C4 rated for safety and contains nitrogen-based protection systems to prevent fires.

The ME6 includes an integrated modular cooling system, which extends battery life and enhances round-trip efficiency.

“Our integrated modular liquid cooling system helps ensure consistent battery temperatures, optimizing performance through active cell balancing and enhancing round-trip efficiency while reducing heat loss,” said Dr. Wenjuan Mattis, chief technology officer, Microvast.

Microvast said its LFP solution offers a lower-cost alternative to NMC batteries. The batteries do not contain cobalt, making them a more sustainable choice for large-scale renewable energy operations.

With this new product announcement from Microvast comes a shift in regional operations. The company will close its Colorado manufacturing facilities and focus solely on producing LFP batteries at its Clarksville, Tennessee facility. Microvast said its products are expected to qualify for the IRA Section 45X advanced manufacturing tax credit.

“ME6, the latest generation of our energy storage solutions, is engineered for enhanced efficiency,” said Mattis. “Utilizing our high-performance LFP cells, we have developed a ME6 container that boosts capacity and stability while providing an exceptional lifespan of up to 30 years and supporting more than 10,000 cycles.”

Array Technologies unveils wireless tracker system that requires no trenching The SkyLink Tracker System runs on solar power and stows when storms are detected by its snow and hail response systems.

Sunrun stock rises on strong cash generation in Q2 earnings The residential solar and energy storage provider increased its battery attachment rates and net subscriber value of its customers.

Global solar inverter provider GoodWe announced a new inverter product line for small commercial and industrial (C&I) solar projects called the LVSMT-US inverter.

The inverter is designed to be easily calibrated during commissioning to a range of sizes and voltage outputs, including 22/28kW 208V, 23/30kW at 220V, and 25/32kW at 240V.

“The massive convenience that the voltage and capacity flexibility of this inverter offers is truly groundbreaking,” said Michael Mendik, country manager, GoodWe USA and Canada.

GoodWe uses the same string inverter technology as its SMT-US series for medium to large C&I installations while enhancing safety features.

LVSMT-US is a three-phase, low-voltage inverter with four maximum power point trackers (MPPT). It contains a rapid shutdown transmitter to meet safety requirements without the need for additional module-level hardware.

The inverter sports a maximum efficiency of 97.5% and a wide voltage operating range of 180V-950V, and 180% DC oversizing. It has a smart shadow scanning feature that can be activated in the event of temporary shade, removing the need for module level power electronics (MLPE).

GoodWe’s inverter includes Type II Surge Protection on both the DC and AC side, integrated AFCI, and the NEMA Type 4X rating.

“Following the success of our SMT-US series for medium- to large-scale C&I installations, we are bringing its advanced string-inverter technology to the small C&I market,” said Mendik. “From carports and schools to healthcare settings and retail establishments, this value-packed string inverter eliminates the need for costly MLPE, while still providing all of the benefits to improve the energy and financial performance over the system’s lifetime.”

GoodWe’s commercial and industrial product suite includes inverters, smart meters, and loggers for monitoring. The company is headquartered in China and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. It has nearly 5,000 employees and a track record of over 71 GW of installation in over 100 countries as of the end of 2023.

Array Technologies, a specialist in utility-scale solar tracking solutions, launched SkyLink, a solar-powered wireless tracker system.

SkyLink includes an eight linked-row architecture with passive wind mitigation, PV string powered brushless DC motor, wireless communication called “Zigbee”, and a suite of Array SmarTrack features.

Zigbee wireless communication follows a defense-in-depth approach recommended by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The company said it adds multiple layers of protection against security breaches through wireless communication.

“Array strives to continuously enhance our products to support customers by reducing costs and installation times, and meet the growing challenges of extreme weather conditions,” said Kevin G. Hostetler, chief executive officer at Array Technologies. “As destructive storms become more frequent, our new SkyLink tracker system, with its reliable wireless communication, ensures that solar production remains uninterrupted during power grid disruptions and adverse weather.”

SkyLink’s eight row architecture allows for greater flexibility within a site layout, increasing PV capacity and cost savings for fragmented sites with irregular boundaries. With eight rows per motor, the tracker brings flexibility to site design.

Array said a battery-less control system enables the tracker to operate in extremely cold climates. The company said the tracker can operate in temperatures from -40 F to 140 F ambient.

The PV String powered brushless DC motor has an IP67 rating, indicating that it meets floodplain requirements.  

The tracker supports most commercially available modules, according to Array, including framed or frameless crystalline, thin film, bifacial and back rails. Modules are attached using single fastener, high-speed mounting clamps with integrated grounding. Traditional rails are used for crystalline in landscape, custom racking for thin film and frameless crystalline and bifacial according to manufacturer specs.

The PV-powered control system enables the tracker to move whether the grid is operational or not. The tracker will automatically stow when hail or snow is detected by its automated response system. It also makes use of Array’s patented passive wind-stow technology.

The SkyLink tracker comes with a 10-year structural warranty 10 years structural; 5 years drive and controls components.

Array told pv magazine USA that final assembly for SkyLink is completed in its manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The company said its supply chain for SkyLink is “robust” and includes many items that qualify as domestic content with a path for full domestic content soon. SkyLink builds on the Array’s DuraTrack and Array OmniTrack solar trackers, which have paths to 100% domestic content by first half 2025, the company said.

According to to Wood Mackenzie’s Global solar PV tracker market share’ report 2024, Array Technologies is one of the top tracker vendors, holding second place for the ninth consecutive year after Nextracker.

Click here to download the data sheet.

From pv magazine Germany

Meyer Burger Technology AG and Solestial Inc. have entered into a strategic partnership to produce next-generation, ultra-thin silicon solar cells for use in space travel, the companies announced on Monday.

“The partnership will revolutionize space solar power by enabling Solestial to deliver ultra-thin, reliable, radiation-hardened cells and modules at unprecedented scale,” they added.

The companies plan to combine the radiation-resistant solar cells and flexible modules developed by Solestial, which are optimized for long-term performance under space conditions, with Meyer Burger’s heterojunction technology. Solestial’s proprietary metallization process and cosmic radiation damage reduction technologies will be used to create solar cells that offer the efficiency and reliability required for operation in orbit.

Solestial will supply its ultra-thin, radiation-hardened silicon wafers to Meyer Burger. The Swiss PV company will then process them using its heterojunction technology and send them back to Solestial’s production site in Tempe, Arizona, for metallization, completion and integration into flexible solar modules.

The cooperation will enable Solestial to supply enough solar modules to equip hundreds of spacecraft annually from the middle of next year. Production is scheduled to start on September 1, 2024.

“Meyer Burger stretches into industries that need our proprietary know-how and advanced technologies,” said Meyer Burger CEO Gunter Erfurt. “By excelling at every stage of product development, we help companies like Solestial scale, and support them as they grow.”

The evolving art and science of agrivoltaics At Bluewave, integrating solar technology with traditional farming practices isn’t just a concept, it’s the new standard. Jesse Robertson-DuBois, director of sustainable solar development, shares insights on the transformative journey of agrivoltaics within the industry.

Renewables “cheaper and faster” than methane, says nation’s largest utility NextEra’s Q2 2024 quarterly earnings report shows significant growth in the company’s renewable pipeline. However, the group, which is typically exacting, refused to put a hard number on their future demand growth expectations.

Battery fire shuts down California highway A utility-scale battery delivery overturned on a highway after the truck carrying the batteries collided with a car, overcorrected, tipped to the side and dumped its cargo, leading to a fire that lasted more than 24 hours.

Bill aims to cut 45X tax credits for Chinese solar makers While the lucrative tax credits has attracted clean energy manufacturers from around the world to build factories in the U.S., the fact that many of the new manufacturing facilities are from Chinese companies has created a controversy that this new bill aims to solve.

Massive 900 MW solar project designed to preserve agricultural land Brookfield Renewable Partners filed a notice of intent for a 900 MW solar project in Oregon that will be installed in ribbons along the edge of a field to allow for continued agricultural use of the land

The AES Corporation, a global power company with generation and distribution businesses, introduced a robot powered by artificial intelligence. Dubbed “Maximo”, the robot works alongside solar installation teams, helping to install solar panels half the time and half the cost of manual labor installations, said the company.

“Maximo is the first proven solar installation robot on the market,” said Andrés Gluski, AES president and CEO. “We are facing unprecedented increases in demand, driven in large part by the rise of AI and data centers, and innovations like these will be fundamental for accelerating our ability to bring projects online faster and with greater efficiency.”

Maximo can do the heavy lifting and can automatically place and attach panels, increasing safety and accuracy of installations.

To date, AES has used the robot to install nearly 10 MW of solar and the company expects to use Maximo to help build up to 5 GW of its solar backlog and pipeline over the next three years.

One of the projects that Maximo will soon be assisting on is the 2 GW Bellefield project in Kern County, California, a solar-plus-storage project for which Amazon is the offtaker.

“As society’s energy needs grow, the demand for new solar and wind projects are also increasing, requiring us to innovate so we can scale more quickly,” said Chris Walker, director of AWS Sustainability. “We’re excited to collaborate with renewable energy developers like AES that are prioritizing the use of AI technologies that can help us move faster to a carbon-free energy future.” 

Maximo makes use of computer vision for precise placement of the panels. It also learns as it goes, which the company says improves performance and efficiency. The robot is said to perform in a range of climates and lighting conditions and has been validated in the field across a variety of U.S. project sites.

Automation of heavy lifting and precision tasks may become more commonplace in an industry already suffering from a shortage of workers. A report by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) noted that the solar industry expects total U.S. installations will grow from 141 GW in 2022 to over 700 GW in 2033. The Solar Energy Industries Association predicts the total number of solar jobs could reach 538,000 by 2032. The IREC report noted that in 2022, 44% of solar industry employers said it was “very difficult” to find qualified applicants—the highest such percentage ever recorded in the Solar Jobs Census, and likely to continue with the escalation of installations.

Maximo is not the first robot to assist in solar installations. Last year, for example, Terabase Energy completed its first installation using Terafab, an automated utility-scale solar installation platform. The Terafab system uses digital twins, logistics software, an on-site digital command center, a field-deployed automated assembly line, and installation rovers that can operate 24/7.  Terabase reported that in its first installation, labor productivity improved 25% when compared with manual installation.

Residential solar company SunPower stock crashes 70% The company’s share price fell below $1 as it announced it is halting some operations and ending its lease and power purchase agreement offerings, among other actions.

How long do residential solar panels last? Multiple factors affect the productive lifespan of a residential solar panel. In the first part of this series, we look at the solar panels themselves.

U.S. Senators introduce comprehensive energy permitting reform act Joe Manchin (I-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY) released the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024, promising to accelerate the permitting processes for energy and mineral projects of all types in the U.S.

WoodMac says global solar tracker shipments grew by 28% in 2023 Global tracker shipments reached 92 GWdc last year, according to WoodMackenzies’ latest report. The US accounted for the majority of the global market, with three US-based manufacturers, Nextracker, Array Technologies and GameChange Solar, ranking as the three largest shippers in the world.

Interview: My experience as a battery energy storage homeowner What is it like being a residential solar and energy storage prosumer living in California? Ahmad Faruqui, economist-at-large, shares his perspective with pv magazine USA .

Elastocalorics could replace heat pumps, air conditioning systems Elastocalorics have the potential to replace current air conditioning and heating systems, offering significant energy savings when paired with technologies such as photovoltaics.

First Solar probes potential infringement of TOPCon patents First Solar says it is evaluating potential infringement of its patents for its TOPCon tech, secured through the acquisition of TetraSun in 2013. The U.S. thin-film solar module manufacturer has not named the companies involved or given a timeline for the investigation.

From pv magazine Global

A review of indoor PV cell technologies by an international research team documents over 250 large area and small area commercial and laboratory devices. It covers organic, dye-sensitized, and perovskite devices, as well as crystalline and amorphous silicon, III-V semiconductor, chalcogenide, and emerging lead-free alternative cells.

“We observed that the interest in the field was really taking off, so we believed a comprehensive review on all indoor PV technologies was due,” the review’s co-author Giulia Lucarelli told pv magazine.

The review also includes a discussion about applications, recent progress, and strategies used to design more stable, highly efficient cells that operate at very low light levels.

“We have provided the performance details of the indoor PV devices at 200 lx and 1000 lx illuminance,” corresponding author, Thomas M. Brown, told pv magazine, explaining that most homes have a 200 lx illuminance, whereas 1000 lx is typical in very well-lit environments like supermarkets.

Brown pointed out that one of the initial high-volume market niches for indoor PV has been electronic supermarket shelf labels. Other applications are emerging, such as Internet-of-Things products, where PV is seen as enabling a “fit and forget” approach, where a product is installed once with no further maintenance required. “Think of applying a temperature or other type of sensor in your home and leaving it there to operate without ever having to replace batteries,” said Brown.

Cell technologies covered in the review range from crystalline and amorphous silicon to III-V semiconductor and chalcogenide devices, as well as organic, dye-sensitized, perovskite, and lead-free alternative devices.

Looking at the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and maximum power density (MPD) the team made several observations. For example, it said that it was “obvious that irrespective of the indoor lamp type or intensity”, perovskite solar cells have “outdone” other PV technologies both in terms of efficiency and output power.

The team observed that organic photovoltaic devices (OPV) performed well under light-emitting diodes (LED), while dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) outperformed in fluorescent light (FL). But it also cautioned there was only a limited number of reports making it “difficult” to draw any conclusions.

“Among the established technologies, compound and thin film semiconductors in recent years have shown considerable improvement in performance, with the former delivering high efficiency and output power,” stressed the team. “The lead-free alternatives have just entered the indoor PV arena and have managed to deliver the highest efficiency of around 18 % with a tin-based perovskite.”

Standards for performance reporting were discussed, particularly the need for a protocol for measurement in standard light source spectrum and a standard illuminance level, or levels. “The most utilized currently are 200 lx and 1000 lx so both should continue to be reported,” said the scientists.

They explained that MPD reporting for 200 lx and 1000 lx illuminance is important for product developers designing energy harvesting solutions and products that operate in a range of lighting conditions. “MPD is a more immediate metric since product developers who wish to integrate PV in their items know exactly what is coming out of the PV device,” co-author Abhisek Chakraborty told pv magazine. 

Brown added that indoor lamp spectra are diverse, ranging from LED, to compact fluorescent and lamp bulbs with different color temperatures. “We only have 1 sun but a myriad of indoor light sources,” said Brown.

They also noted that whereas crystalline silicon, thin film, and new PV technologies have stability protocols for outdoor applications, and accelerated stress tests, these are “still lacking” for PV-designed indoor environments only.

In summarizing the findings, the team noted indoor laboratory efficiencies for emerging PV technologies are reaching efficiencies in the range of 35 – 45 % under 200 lx and 1000 lx. “The corresponding electrical power densities are in the range of 20 – 25 μW cm-2 at 200 lx and the range of 120 – 150 μW cm2 at 1000 lx illuminance,” it said.

There is work to do in indoor PV stability and more investigation under continuous indoor illumination, noted the team, pointing out that improvements can be achieved “through the right choice of materials, device design and scalable manufacturing” processes.

“The goal is to improve performance while increasing stability and reducing the cost of not only the indoor devices but their integration capabilities with the electronic products they aim to power,” it said.

“As mentioned earlier there is a question of different reporting, illumination, and measurement conditions for indoor PV,” Brown said, referring to the future direction of the research. “We are trying to present some best practices for this. We are also working on some national projects related to developing perovskite PV indoors via more sustainable materials and fabrication processes.”

The review appears in “Photovoltaics for Indoor Energy Harvesting,” published by Nano Energy. The researchers were from Italy’s Tor Vergata University, the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), the Fundación Escuela Tecnologica in Colombia, and Jain University in India.

Enphase Energy releases EV charger for commercial fleets The CS-100 provides up to 19.2 kW of continuous power output and enables the fleet operator to set up charging schedules using the Enphase proprietary COSMOS interface.

SolarEdge aims to qualify for U.S. domestic content incentive The company has brought over 1,500 new jobs to the U.S. through contract manufacturing facilities.

Protecting smart inverters from cyberattack The National Institute of Standards and Technology has flagged a cybersecurity risk for smart inverters, and is developing guidelines to prevent cyberattacks.

Generac introduces residential EV charger The Level 2 charger offers between 25 and 30 miles of charge per hour.

Texas solar shines through Tropical Storm Beryl In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that the Tropical Storm Beryl caused a large but temporary dip in solar generation potential across Texas on July 8. However, cross-referencing with grid operator reports revealed that very little production went offline due to the storm, showing the resilience of Texas’ solar infrastructure.

IEA-PVPS identifies 456 patents in PV module recycling The IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme’s (IEA-PVPS) latest report on solar panel recycling offers a comprehensive review of all existing technologies in this market segment, from pure mechanical recycling to innovative techniques such as as light pulse treatment, water-jet cleaning, pyrolysis, and chemical treatments.

Volytica, Sinovoltaics launch new analysis service for 100% battery pack review at factory  The newly launched BESSential analysis goes deeper than traditional Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), which is performed at the container level. The service evaluates each battery energy storage system pack down to the cell level and detects and corrects thermal, electrical, and capacity imbalance issues.

Generac Power Systems, a provider of home generators, energy storage, and other power products, announced it has launched an update Level 2 electric vehicle charger.

The new product from Generac comes to serve the growing U.S. EV market, which is forecast to reach 11% market share in 2024, according to the International Energy Agency.

The charger comes in two formats, the 40 A plus and 48 A plus models, which offer roughly 25 to 30 miles of charge added per hour. The 40 A edition is NEMA 14-50 rated for a rapid plug-in installation. The 40 A model provides up to 9.6 kW of power output, while the 48 A edition offers up to 11.5 kW.

The L2 EV charger is up to eight times faster than a L1 charger, and its power-sharing capabilities allow users to connect multiple chargers to the same circuit to optimize power usage.The chargers are protected by a three-year installation and support warranty and are rated for both indoor and outdoor use.

The kit comes with a charger, mounting kit, universal EV charger plug, and a 25 foot charging cable. It is compatible with most EVs, including Ford, Nissan, BMW, Rivian, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Kia, Chevorlet, Audi, Mercedes Benz, Porche. For Tesla drivers, a charger adapter is sold separately.

“With our extensive background in energy solutions and a network of nearly 9,000 certified North American dealers, we’re poised to deliver an EV charging solution that sets a new standard for performance, reliability and user satisfaction,” said Kyle Raabe, executive vice president of Consumer Power, Generac.

The charger can be controlled via a Generac mobile app that allows users to track and control charging, set power limits, view energy savings, and set charging schedules. Generac’s chargers are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.

The Level 2 chargers are sold via Generac certified dealers and on Amazon, retailing for $649.

Enphase Energy announced the launch of an electric vehicle charger designed for commercial fleets.

The CS-100 provides up to 19.2 kW (80 amps) of continuous power output and enables the fleet operator to set up charging schedules using the Enphase proprietary COSMOS interface. The interface provides access to capabilities such as digital load management, load sharing, and access control by seamlessly integrating with fleet management software.

Certified by UL, cULus, CSA C22.1, and Energy Start, the charger features a NEMA 3R-rated enclosure. Enphase reports that it can be installed inside or out and can operate in temperatures from –22 F to 122 F (–30 C to 50 C). It includes a 25-foot charging cable and an impact-resistant J1772 connector. It supports all J1772-compatible EVs and comes with a three-year limited warranty. Enphase reports that in the event of a minor power fault, an automatic circuit reclosure timer will re-check conditions to begin charging again as soon as possible, if needed.

The CS-100 weighs 45 pounds and requires a 208/240 Vac, 50/60 Hz, 100 amp dedicated supply circuit. The retail price on the CS-100 is $2,250.

From pv magazine Global

China-based PV inverter manufacturer GoodWe has unveiled new bifacial modules based on n-type TOPcon technology.

“Whether installing it on a carport, flat-to-pitched roof conversion or sun shed, the Polaris series is adaptable and versatile,” the company said in a statement. “One of the standout features of it is its double-glass and bifacial design, which improves impact resistance and power generation.”

The manufacturer offers the product in two versions with power outputs of 530 W and 580 W.

The smaller modules measures 2,142 mm x 1,160 x 29.6 mm and weighs 30 kg. Its open-circuit voltage is 48 V and the short-circuit current is 13.55 A. The larger panel measures 2,327 mm x 1,165 x 29.6 mm and weighs 31.6 kg. The open-circuit voltage is 52.28 V and the short-circuit current is 13.60 A.

The double-glass modules have a maximum system voltage of 1,500 V. They come with a 12-year product warranty and a 30-year linear power output warranty, with the 30-year end power output being guaranteed to be no less than 84.95% of the nominal output power.

“Modular installation technology and integrated drainage structure make it incredibly easy to install, saving time and hassle,” GoodWe said. “The Polaris series also offers comprehensive performance advantages in safety, applicability, durability, economy, and environmental friendliness.”

Sol Clarity is developing an electrodynamic screen (EDS), which charges dust particles with a static charge and then uses an electromagnetic wave to sweep them off the solar panels. The company is currently seeking investment partners to help scale its operations and is testing the technology on a community solar project in the Northeastern U.S.

In the video above, the dust can be seen suddenly falling off the panels when the electromagnetic wave is engaged.

The Massachusetts-based company has tested its EDS material at a community solar facility in the Northeast owned by developer Nexamp. More recent tests were conducted at a facility in Chile, and next year, they plan to implement the technology at a power plant owned by Engie in California. The startup has received support from two state-funded groups that assist startups, Mass Ventures and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), and raised a $920K Seed I round with Equinor ventures, Techstars, and Friends & Family to begin work on their first commercial pilot.

At the Nexamp site, Sol Clarity installed eleven full-scale solar panels equipped with EDS systems, complete with power boxes and intricate circuitry.

According to a 2018 paper, Sol Clarity expects the EDS system to operate for one to two minutes daily. The paper estimates that less than 1 watt-hour of electricity will be used per square meter per cleaning cycle, allowing for approximately 500 solar modules to be cleaned daily with just 1 kWh of electricity.

The product, which can be installed in the factory or retrofitted in the field, consists of either two or four layers, plus a power box. The factory-installed product includes an optically clear adhesive layer, plus a dielectric layer that contains the printed electrodes. The retrofit version adds two additional layers that separate the printed electrodes from the top dielectric layer.

Other players in the EDS field include SuperClean Glass, which is still refining its product to meet commercial standards. Jim Smith, VP of Business Development and Engineering Lead, commented, “Having passed the first few milestones of industry standard tests, this next phase is focused on scaling up and driving costs down.  We need to develop systems and processes to produce a football field of patterned glass per day and drive costs down for a competitive ROI. Of course the societal benefit is in the elimination of the use of potable water.”

The company has been reserved about the volume of information they share, but they did release data indicating that the net transmissibility of light through their electrode coating on a cadmium telluride solar panel is 99.05%.

Another EDS company, CleanFizz, has conducted tests in Saudi Arabia, showing that their product can remove over 95% of soiling losses from solar panels. They recently announced the closure of a $1M investment round at the end of 2023 and are now seeking $50 million to build a 300 MW manufacturing facility in Switzerland.

Although the financial viability of cleaning solar panels is often debated, there is clear evidence that soiling significantly reduces electricity output, as was shown by high pollen east coast sites in a recent analysis – along with driving hot spot damage, potentially significantly lowering the lives of solar modules. Pollen’s unique characteristics, and the dynamics of rain, have made all three of the EDS firms target arid and semi-arid regions.

From pv magazine Global

Chinese electronics manufacturer Anker has launched a new all-in-one home storage solution.

The Anker Solix X1 system comes in either single-phase or three-phase configurations and has a storage capacity of up to 30 kWh.

“It integrates a power module, battery module, solar Inverter and energy management system,” a company spokesperson told pv magazine. “With its slender 15-centimeter profile, presents a striking contrast to the bulky appearance of traditional home storage devices.”

The single-phase product is available in four versions, with PV inputs ranging from 7.36 kW to 12 kW of PV input, while the AC output ranges from 3.68 kW to 6 kW. It measures 670 mm x 335 mm x 150 mm and weighs 19 kg.

The three-phase storage system is also available in four models, with a PV input ranging from 10 kW to 24 kW and an AC output of 5 kW to 12 kW. It measures 670 mm x 450 mm x 150 mm and weighs 30 kg.

All power modules are to be paired with 5 kWh Li-ion (LFP) battery modules that can be stacked to six for a total storage of 30 kWh. The maximum charge or discharge power is 3 kW, and the maximum charge or discharge current is 7.6 A. The new product also also features IP66 protection.

“Our innovative energy optimizer allows each battery pack to charge and discharge independently, ensuring efficient storage and utilization of energy,” the company said. “The Solix X1 is equipped with multiple safety protection mechanisms, LFP batteries from top manufacturers, abnormal batteries auto-isolate, and 0-volt shutdown technology, all of which ensure power safety to the greatest extent.”

Nature’s Generator added a 50-amp 120/240V 12-circuit transfer switch its lineup of power transfer switches.

Designed to connect a home power supply to a solar-powered home’s power supply to a battery backup system, this 50-amp switch provides homeowners with the option to power more circuits than lower amp models. The company reports that the 50-amp model can handle up to 12,000 watts of power for 12 circuits (6 of 240V circuits or 12 of 120V circuits).

These switches, when connected to a home’s power supply and solar-powered battery-backup generator system, enable homeowners to manually choose when to power the selected circuits from their solar generator system.

The switches work by isolating the backup power from utility power. Nature’s Generator reports that its switches are code compliant and certified according to ISO/IEC Guide 17067, Conformity Assessment-Fundamentals of Product Certification, System 3, and in accordance with UL 1008 and CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 178.1. Although the transfer switch is prewired and designed for ease of installation, a licensed electrician is recommended

In September 2023 Nature’s Generator introduced a 30-Amp 12-circuit 120/240-Volt transfer switch.

“Our transfer switches integrate easily with home load centers,” explains Lawrence Zhou, CEO of Nature’s Generator. “During  outages, the manual switch can power a home’s selected circuits keeping families safe by providing power for lighting and important electrical appliances. Additionally, with utilities’ higher peak-use rates, transfer switches empower homeowners to avoid those costs — saving money while saving the planet.”

The company says its switches can be used with other battery-backup solar generators as well as fossil fuel-powered generators. The caveat is that gas or propane generators require the inlet box (included with the 50-Amp model) be installed outdoors for safety from noxious fossil fuel fumes.

The retail price on the 50-amp Transfer Switch is currently $499.95. Click here for more details.

Battery storage deployment in Canada kicks into gear  The deployment of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Canada is picking up the pace, with the announcement of a 705 MWh battery storage system delivery to Nova Scotia by Canadian Solar’s e-Storage and various other projects in provinces across the country. However, this surge cannot come quickly enough says Energy Storage Canada.

Vineyard installs solar to keep distillery warehouse cool  The 55kW system is expected to produce more than .06 MWh a year and will help keep the vineyard’s distillery storage warehouse at the optimal temperature of 50 to 60 F throughout the year.

California approves 525 MWac of solar and 320 MW of geothermal Southern California Edison received approval from the State of California to proceed with power purchase agreements for three solar power projects and two geothermal projects from startup Fervo Energy.

How grid operators and renewable energy producers can use batteries to develop a flexible energy system As the urgency of mitigating the impacts of climate change intensifies with each passing year, it is the collective responsibility of grid operators and renewable energy producers to spearhead the transition to a renewable energy system.

Global solar installations to nearly quadruple by 2033 Wood Mackenzie forecasts 4.7 TW of solar capacity to be built between 2024 and 2033, with China accounting for about 50% of the growth.

TrendForce says 210 mm module shipments surpassed 260 GW in Q1 Market intelligence platform TrendForce says 210 mm n-type technology is “set to spearhead a new industrial revolution.” It expects 210mm modules to account for 78.29% of the large-format module market this year, increasing to 82.51% by 2027.

Aggreko Energy acquires C&I solar developer With the acquisition of Infiniti Energy, Aggreko expands its commercial and industrial development portfolio.

Enphase begins shipping U.S.-made microinverters for commercial applications The IQ8P-3P commercial microinverters support up to 480 W of peak output power for three-phase commercial installations, and they’re compatible with a wide range of solar modules up to 640 W.

Enphase Energy announced it is shipping U.S.-made IQ8P-3P microinverters designed for small-scale commercial installations. 

The Inflation Reduction Act incentivized many manufacturers, including Enphase Energy, to manufacture in the United States. In April the company reported it had shipped about 506,000 microinverters from its contract manufacturing facilities in the United States, making them eligible for the 45X production tax credit. 

“We are pleased to begin shipments of our IQ8 Commercial Microinverters from our contract manufacturing facility in Texas,” said Ron Swenson, senior vice president of operations at Enphase Energy. “Expanding our list of U.S.-supplied products has been a key objective, helping to ensure superior service with quicker delivery times for local customers in our top market.”

Each IQ8P-3P commercial microinverter supports up to 480 W of peak output power for three-phase commercial installations. The new microinverters are compatible with a wide range of solar panels including 54, 60, 66, 72, and 144-cell panels with full or split cells, supporting panels ranging 320 W to 640 W. Full specifications sheet and accessories can be found here.

The commercial Enphase Energy System includes the new IQ Gateway Commercial 2, which when connected to the internet enables over-the-air updates and to the Enphase App monitoring platform. The IQ Gateway and IQ Microinverters provide Fleet View for portfolio monitoring and management and Enphase Kiosk software that publicly displays system performance in real-time. The microinverters also feature Enphase Burst Mode technology that Enphase reports enables systems to start producing earlier and stop producing later in the day compared to other systems.

The microinverters are backed by an industry leading 25-year warranty for projects in the U.S. and Canada and 12-year warranties for projects in Mexico. 

To celebrate the launch, Enphase is hosting an event at its Arlington, Texas manufacturing facility on Thursday, July 11, 2024. Enphase encourages any installers and distributors interested in learning more about its commercial solution to reserve a spot on the event here.

The City of Campbell, California announced a partnership with Paired Power to install a solar parking canopy with integrated electric vehicle chargers. The project will enable the city’s Public Wors Department to add electric vehicles to its fleet.

The solar canopy, called PairTree, will generate electricity and charge the city’s Ford F-150 Lightning Pro electric truck. Paired Power will deliver electricity to the Level 2 chargers attached to the canopy through its management software called EV Connect.

The project was funded through a resiliency grant from Silicon Valley Clean Energy.

“We’re excited to work with Paired Power to supply the City of Campbell with a 100% renewable EV charging solution powered by the sun, further enhancing the city’s commitment to sustainable transportation,” said Scott Kaptur, director of government and fleet solutions at EV Connect.

The PairTree solar canopy is comprised of a bifacial solar panels and a 42.4 kWh energy storage system.  The off-grid solar EV charger includes up to two Level 2 charging ports with up to 5.3 kW charging power. The PairTree is typically intended for remote locations, like concert venues and military sites, said Paired Power. The energy storage system is UL9450 certified.

“The solar panels have 4.6 kW units and the battery capacity maxes out at 42.4 kWh, which is substantial enough to provide between 75 and 230 miles of range,” said Paired Power.

Paried Power said setting up one of these EV charging stations takes about four hours.

The company said the solar canopy starts at $26,000, while some systems outfit with energy storage and multiple chargers may cost about $70,000. Installation costs average about $5,000 per canopy, said the company.

From pv magazine Global

AEG, a power solutions company based in Germany, has launched new three-phase hybrid inverters for applications in high-voltage rooftop PV systems.

“The new AEG hybrid inverter with 15 kW works with the high current streams of the larger solar module types – where higher power goes hand in hand with higher currents,” a spokesperson from the company told pv magazine.

There are five versions of the new products, with power outputs ranging from 6 kW to 15 kW, and the maximum output current ranging from 8.7 A to 21.7 A.

The devices measure 460 mm x 496 mm x 221 mm and weigh 23 kg, and offer 3 maximum power point tracking (MPPT) channels. MPPT voltage ranges from 120 V and 850 V, while the maximum input current for MPPT is 16 A.

The inverter efficiency is 98.2% and the maximum input voltage for all devices is 1,000 V. Its European efficiency rating is 97.5% and the MPPT efficiency is 99.5%. The new product also features natural convection cooling and IP66-rated protection.

“The new inverter is designed to be a seamless match for the new AEG stackable battery, and for the existing AEG high voltage monobloc battery as well,” the spokesperson added. “The HV monobloc battery is preferred in some of our markets as it allows connection in parallel of up to 10 batteries reaching a total of 150 kWh and can be paired with a wide variety of hybrid inverter models.”

AEG is offering a 10-year warranty for the new inverter.

Trina Solar begins mass production of 430-455 W full-black modules Trina Solar says it has launched mass production of 430 W to 455 W full-black PV modules. The Vertex S+ panels have efficiencies of up to 22.8% and weigh 21 kg, with a 1.6 mm x 1.6 mm dual-glass design.

UL Solutions introduces new testing protocol for residential battery storage systems The latest test method addresses the fire propagation behavior of a residential battery energy storage system if a thermal runaway propagation event leading to an internal fire were to occur during the system’s lifetime.

Rutgers University studies co-locating solar energy with crop production The university is working with SolarEdge to study the practices of agrivoltaics, or co-located solar and farming.

From pv magazine Global

U.S.-based Yotta Energy is targeting solar PV and energy storage installations with its “panel-level storage” offer, a new package including the SolarLEAF SL-1000 1 kWh solid state thermally-regulated lithium-iron-phosphate battery and a Yotta Energy three-phase  DPI-208 or DPI-480microinverters.

Each inverter and 25.7 kg battery is designed to be integrated into rooftop racking which can also secure individual solar panels directly above the batteries. The battery measures 40 cm x 66 cm x 10 cm supporting solar PV input of up to 750 W. It is a 38.4V and 26.4Ah system with a life cycle of 6,000-8,000 discharges.

Yotta sees commercial rooftops as a “huge untapped” market for its energy solutions, according to its vice president of sales Ryan Davies. The most recent projects are 100 kWh systems installed in Texas and California. It also provided a 120 kWh battery storage system for a remotely located electric vehicle charger pilot project that was led by U.S automotive manufacturer Polaris.

“We can offer plan, design, review, and financing support to all our clients to smooth out the challenges that have traditionally existed in this market,” Davies told pv magazine.

Founded in 2016, the company has made the long journey from concept to market. “So far we’ve done about 25 MW of storage-ready sites with our microinverter. We’re fully approved for installations nationwide and have battery installations across California and five other states,” said Davies.

The company notes that its solution has several advantages compared to conventional C&I solar storage solutions. For example, the design cuts out the need for a dedicated room or separate space for the battery racks and it reportedly keeps batteries cool, passively maintaining an ideal working temperature range, between 21 C and 38 C (69.8 F and 100.4 F).

Battery management software, dubbed YottaVision2.0, is included. It stores and displays performance and monitoring data. It has mapping visualization to localize system events, DXF file formats for computer-aided design, and supports project and commissioning documentation management.

The company raised venture capital last year, an $8 million round led by Evergy Ventures and BlueScopeX, both corporate venture capital investors, and Cricetus Felix Ventures, an impact investor, along with early investors.

From pv magazine Global

China-headquartered PV manufacturer Trina Solar said it has started mass production of its new full-black, n-type, tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) monocrystalline PV modules.

“The Vertex S+ full black module is specifically designed for PV residential settings, combining high performance with a sleek, modern appearance that seamlessly integrates with various architectural styles,” the company said. “With a full black aesthetic design, it measures 1762 mm x 1134 mm and weighs just 21 kg.”

According to the company, the product comes in six versions, each with varying peak power ratings and module efficiencies. The basic 430 W version has an efficiency of 21.5%, while the largest 455 W variant has an efficiency of 22.8%. The open-circuit voltage ranges from 51.4 V to 53.4 V, and short-circuit current spans from 10.59 A to 10.77 A.

The 144-cell panels operate between -40 C and 85 C (-40 F to 185 F). They come with a product warranty of up to 25 years and a power warranty of 30 years. Trina reports that the panels boast ultra-low degradation rates, with only 1% degradation in the first year and 0.4% annual degradation.

Solar ingot and wafer manufacturing coming to Oklahoma The Norwegian company, Norsun, announced an investment of $620 million in a 5 GW ingot and wafer facility planned in Tulsa.

People on the move: Spruce Power, ConnectDER, Amp Energy and more Job moves in solar, storage, cleantech, utilities and energy transition finance.

pv magazine interview: ‘Oversupply issues may continue in 2025’ As part of our Intersolar 2024 interview series, pv magazine spoke with Amy Fang, Senior PV analyst at InfoLink Consulting, about new solar factories coming online and decreasing solar modules prices. She says the downward trend may continue until the first half of next year, with prices reaching $0.07/W, and estimates global module demand for this year could reached between 470 GW and 500 GW.

Back contact solar beats mono PERC at lifetime energy generation A new analysis finds that back contact solar shows an average lifetime energy generation increase of 16.0% over mono PERC. The paper also says back contact had an average 9.7% shorter payback time and 10.7% lower LCOE across all modelled locations.

New York governor urged to double solar deployment goal Currently New York has a state target of 10 GW deployed by 2030. The state’s Solar Energy Industries Association has called for a new target of 20 GW of distributed solar by 2035.

World4Solar held a launch event at its warehouse in Miami, Florida to introduce HelioWing, a pre-constructed solar canopy structure.

The HelioWing is available in two base models, HelioWing 5 with 7.38 kWp and the HelioWing 7 with 9.84 kWp. The HelioWing 7 roof is made of 24 Aptos 400 W bifacial solar panels. The company uses Sol-Ark 12kW hybrid 2-phase inverters for its canopy.

The canopy design can be customized with features like storage capacity or a carport with a built-in EV charger. The modular energy systems come preassembled and preconfigured. The unit comes equipped with motion sensor LED light strips.

HelioWing 7 measures 22.7 feet by 22.4 feet by 13.10 feet and has a 500 square foot gap-free solar roof.

World4Solar noted that the canopy should take about six hours to install, when set up by a certified installer on a prepared foundation. The HelioWing can be used grid-tied or off-grid. To operate off-grid, or to store electricity for later use, battery packs are available ranging from 8.3 to 24.9 kWh.

Two available Level 2 chargers per unit work with all electric vehicles and add 25 miles average of range per hour of charging.

HelioWing is waterproof rated and has an average 20-year life span. The system comes with a 10-year warranty. The main structure is listed at MSRP $37,180, while the modules are priced at $5,044 and the inverters $6,825. A Tesla level 2 EV charger is priced at $1,625 while the battery system can range from about $7,500 to over $18,000 depending on products selected. The company also offers what it calls a “hurricane-hardened” canopy.

GCL Perovskite, a branch of GCL Tech within the GCL Poly and GCL Solar group, introduced their latest perovskite and perovskite-silicon tandem solar modules. A key highlight was the public IEC test documentation, indicating they may have conquered the perovskite degradation challenge. The company plans to incorporate this technology in the top layer of their tandem modules, aiming for efficiencies above 27% in limited deployment testing next year.

The Solar Roll by Apollo, featured in the main image above, is a flexible roll measuring 20.1 feet in length and 6.6 feet in width. This innovative setup combines six 300-watt solar panels into a 1.8 kW array capable of generating more than 10 kWh in a single day. The unit, equipped with MC4 connectors, is designed for easy integration with any standard solar inverter.

Throughout the three days of Intersolar, as detailed on the pv magazine Intersolar Live Blog pages – Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 – attendees witness an impressive array of battery products. Numerous manufacturers showcased their latest offerings, particularly focusing on home battery solutions.

EcoFlow’s latest release, the PowerOcean Plus, represents a significant increase in residential system size and capacity. This smart hybrid inverter can manage up to 40 kW solar input with a 29.9kW AC output. Notably, it can support up to 60 kWh of battery capacity, 15 kWh more than its predecessor. Kevin Benedict, EcoFlow’s product and solutions manager, explained that this upgrade was a direct response to customer demand for larger systems to optimize home solar use and EV charging.

The presence of electric vehicles and their charging infrastructure was also a focal point at the event.

The Evum-motor aCar, showcased with a solar panel cleaning robot strapped to its flatbed, is tailored for operations and maintenance tasks. Starting at €33,990, this versatile vehicle is offered in several configurations: the base model features a 16.5 kWh battery with a range of 91 km. Additional options include a 23 kWh battery, which extends the range to approximately 128 km for an additional €4,290, and a 33 kWh battery that offers up to 203 km for an additional €10,890. Available in six base packages, the aCar punches above its weight with a payload capacity of 1,100 kg and a towing capacity up to 1,500 kg.

The aCar’s design, including its 1.5 meter width, allows it to fit comfortably between the rows of panels on solar farms, enhancing its utility. Its low-speed torque is specifically advantageous for traversing loose and steep terrain, facilitating the transport of essential hardware and personnel to less accessible areas. The inclusion of the solar panel cleaning robot underscores the vehicle’s practical application in maintaining and operating remote or large-scale solar operations.

Electric bike charger econec shared three electric bike chargers: the eBike Box micro for home use, eBike Box mini C for businesses, (featured in the image below), and eBike Box Vision for public charging. A notable feature of these systems is their customizable charger. Representatives noted that the e-bike industry has around 25 charging standards, with the public charging model, the eBike Box Vision, accommodating up to five unique plugs. Although Bosch dominates the market with 50% to 60% of all charger adapters, it offers two different types of connectors. Currently focused primarily on the European market, Econec is actively seeking U.S. partners as it works to expand its certifications.

Aiko is poised to launch the ABC Infinite Gen 3 solar module range, with efficiencies ranging from 24.2% to 25.2% in the fourth quarter. The standout 650 watt module, featuring 25.2% efficiency, aims to be the highest efficiency module globally upon its release. These products will be produced in the company’s two manufacturing facilities, with capacities of 10 GW and 14 GW of modules per year. A significant efficiency enhancement in these modules is the relocation of the busbars to the backside of the solar panels. While this adjustment reduces the bifaciality value to nearly 70%, it opens more silicon to face the sun on the front site, white significantly improving shade management capabilities.

Georg Giglinger, an environmental engineer, shared via Twitter what may have been the highest wattage module at Intersolar: Tongwei’s 765.18 watt rated, 24.63% efficiency panel.

Announced directly from the floor in Munich, Germany, Nextracker has acquired specialty ground screw manufacturer Ojjo in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $119 million. Ojjo’s truss systems are designed to use half the steel of conventional foundations, aim to reduce grading requirements, and would be the foundation that supports NexTracker’s motors and torque tubes.

The pv magazine team at Intersolar Munich 2024 included over 30 representatives from regions such as Ireland, England, Western and Southern Germany, the U.S., among others.

Maine may design a distribution system operator to advance distributed energy resources Maine has hired a consulting firm to evaluate whether forming a distribution system operator could speed deployment of distributed energy resources and support other state goals. Consultants are reviewing how the approach is used in five other countries.

New platform vets residential solar salespeople An industry plagued by deceptive practices is now verifying salespeople via a platform called Recheck.

Summit Ridge to procure 800 MW of Qcells solar panels The recent agreement brings the total to 2 GW of solar modules that the community solar specialist will purchase from Qcells, mostly manufactured in its facility in Georgia.

More solar installations coming to U.S. military bases In a partnership with Duke Energy valued at an estimated $248 million, the U.S. Department of Defense will be the exclusive purchaser of all output generated by two new solar facilities, which will serve five military bases.

Siting solar projects for best environmental results A new white paper from Clearloop identifies key U.S. regions for best carbon displacement impact of new clean energy projects.

Top solar panel brands in reliability, quality, and performance Solar modules are evaluated in the Renewable Energy Test Center annual PV Module Index.

pv magazine interview: ‘In the next year, some of these guys are going to be bankrupt’ At Intersolar in Munich, pv magazine spoke with Jenny Chase, solar analyst at BloombergNEF, about the incredibly low polysilicon prices, massive overcapacity, and increasing consolidation. According to Chase, this year there will be enough polysilicon capacity to produce 1.1 TW of solar modules, but global module demand is expected to reach around 585 GW. 

The Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC) released its 2024 PV Module Index report, evaluating the reliability, quality, and performance of solar panels.

Solar modules are put through a variety of accelerated stress tests to evaluate these parameters. Through comparative test results, project stakeholders can select products best suited for a particular environment, location, or portfolio.

To identify the best of the best, RETC reviewed and ranked the overall data distributions across three disciplines: quality, performance, and reliability. Find the overall top performers at the end of this report.

Reliability

Backsheet ultraviolet durability

Top performers: JA Solar, Longi Solar, SolarSpace

Backsheet ultraviolet durability (BUDT) incorporates a durability testing sequence to probe glass-on-backsheet PV module designs for vulnerabilities to UV exposure and prevent backsheet-related failures. This BUDT sequence starts with 1,000 hours of damp heat exposure to weaken polymeric bonds.

Highlighted top performers experience no backsheet cracking in the test.

Damp heat test

Top performers: Astronergy, ES Foundry, Longi Solar, Runergy, and Trina Solar

The RETC thresher test includes a damp heat test that exposes modules for 2,000 hours, double the amount required for product certification. The test evaluates a module’s ability to withstand prolonged exposure to humid, high-temperature environments. Taking place inside an environmental chamber, the test exposes modules to a controlled temperature of 85 C (185 F) and a relative humidity of 85% for a set amount of time.

RETC highlighted performers that experienced less than 2% degradation after this exposure.

Hail durability

Top performers: JA Solar, Longi Solar

RETC’s hail durability test takes UL and IEC standards testing a step further, exposing solar modules to higher kinetic impact to reflect the risk posed by hail over a 25 or 30-year operating life. In addition to ballistic impact testing, RETC runs thermal cycle and hot-spot tests to reveal potential long-term module degradation.

The top performers in this category withstood an effective kinetic energy of 20 Joules or more. These modules effectively demonstrated resistance to a 45 mm (1.8 in.) iceball traveling at a terminal velocity of 30.7 m/s (68.7 mph).

Potential induced degradation (PID) 

Top performers: Astronergy, ES Foundry, GEP VN, Gstar, JA Solar, Longi Solar, Qcells, REC Solar, Runergy, SEG Solar, Silfab Solar, SolarSpace, Talesun, Trina Solar, VSUN Solar, and Yingli Solar

Potential induced degradation (PID) resistance tests rack-mounted modules in an environmental chamber, which controls temperature and humidity and exposes them to a voltage bias of several hundred volts with respect to the mounting structure for 192 hours (PID192 exposure). PID testing characterizes a module’s ability to withstand degradation due to voltage and current leakage resulting from ion mobility between the semiconductor and other elements in module packaging.

RETC required that PV module models withstand PID192 exposure with less than 2% degradation in maximum power. At the other end of the spectrum, it considered maximum power degradation greater than or equal to 5% a red-flag result.

Static and dynamic mechanical load test

Top performers: Aptos Solar, Astronergy, ES Foundry, Gstar, JA Solar, Longi Solar, Runergy, Silfab Solar, SolarSpace, Trina Solar, and Yingli Solar

This test exposes modules to 1,000 cycles of +1,000 pascal and –1,000 pascal loads at a frequency of three to seven cycles per minute. Measurements were taken after this stress test rate electrical performance.

This year, RETC required that PV module models withstand SDML exposure with less than 2.5% degradation in maximum power. It considered maximum power degradation greater than or equal to 5% to be a red-flag result. In this testing category, it notes that 68% of samples qualified as high achievers whereas 7% returned red-flag results.

Thermal cycling

Top performers: Aptos Solar, Astronergy, ES Foundry, Gstar, JA Solar, Longi Solar, Qcells, Runergy, SolarSpace, Trina Solar, and Yingli Solar

The thermal cycle test calls for cycling modules in an environmental chamber between two temperature extremes—85 C (185 F) on the high end and –40 C (–40F)  on the low end. The RETC test runs 600 cycles, three times as much as the 200 required for certification.

About 67% of modules in this test achieved high performer status of less than 2% power loss, while 9% of tested brands had power losses of 5% or more.

Ultraviolet induced degradation (UVID)

Top performers: Trina Solar and VSUN Solar

UVID tests characterize a PV module’s ability to withstand ultraviolet induced degradation. This optional testing sequence exposes test samples to 220 kWh/m2 of UV exposure (UV220), nearly 15 times the UV exposure required for product certification.

Top performers withstand UV220 exposure with less than 2% degradation in maximum power. Red flag modules that degraded more than 5% represented 40% of brands tested.

“Alarmingly, we observed double-digit power loss in some mass-produced, commercially available PV modules, indicating that these products could degrade 10%–16% in the first three years of in-field operation,” said RETC.

Performance

Module efficiency

Top performers: Astronergy, Mission Solar, Qcells, REC Solar, and Silfab Solar

Module conversion efficiency is determined by dividing a product’s nameplate maximum power rating under standard test conditions by its total aperture area.

RETC has recognized manufacturers of PV module models with conversion efficiencies greater than 21% as test category high achievers. About 56% of tested modules were listed as high performers.

Incidence angle modifier

Top performers: Dehui Solar, ES Foundry, JA Solar, JinkoSolar, Longi Solar, Meyer Burger, Qcells, Runergy, Silfab Solar, and SolarSpace

Incidence angle modifier (IAM) is a performance characteristic that accounts for changes in PV module output based on changing sun angles relative to the plane of the array. To characterize IAM, RETC conducts electrical characterization tests at different incidence angles, ranging from 0° to 90°.

Manufacturers of PV module models with an IAM greater than 88% at a 70° angle of incidence were listed as test category high achievers.

LeTID resistance

Top performers: Astronergy, Gstar, JinkoSolar, Longi Solar, Runergy, SEG Solar, Silfab Solar, SolarSpace, Talesun, Trina Solar, VSUN Solar, Waaree, Yingli Solar

Relatively new cell technologies may experience long-term degradation associated with light exposure and elevated temperatures. This phenomenon, called light- and elevated temperature-induced degradation (LeTID), is tested with a protocol of light soaking, followed by 75 C (167 F) temperature exposure for two 162-hour cycles to identify significant degradation (>5%). Subsequently, test samples are subject to 500 hours of 75 C temperature exposure followed by two additional 162-hour cycles.

Highlighted top performers demonstrated products that had less than 0.5% power loss after 486 hours of exposure.

LID resistance

Top performers: Astronergy, GEP VN, Gstar, JA Solar, JinkoSolar, Longi Solar, Meyer Burger, Qcells, Runergy, SEG Solar, Silfab Solar, SolarSpace, Talesun, Trina Solar, VSUN Solar, Waaree, and Yingli Solar

Light-induced degradation (LID), or power losses from sunlight exposure, affects some PV cell types but not others. PV modules exposed to LID losses rapidly lose performance over the first few hours or days of operation before stabilizing. RETC notes LID resistance is highly correlated with cell type.

RETC required that PV module models withstand the LID sequence with less than or equal to 0.5% degradation in maximum power.

Module efficiency

Top performers: Auxin Solar, JA Solar, Longi Solar, Meyer Burger, Mission Solar, Qcells, REC Solar, Silfab Solar, Trina Solar, Yingli Solar

Module efficiency, or the percentage of incident solar energy converted to electrical energy, is a well-known and key metric for solar performance. It is highly correlated with cell technology and module design.

The top 14 highest scoring modules scored efficiencies of 20% or more. An n-type TOPCon cell scored the highest at 25.8% efficiency, followed by a monocrystalline silicon module with heterojunction technology, recording a 22.4% efficiency.

PAN file

Summit Ridge Energy expanded its partnership with Qcells with an agreement to purchase 800 MW of solar panels.

The agreement builds on an existing 1.2 GW relationship between Qcells and Summit Ridge, announced in April of 2023 by Vice President Kamala Harris. At the time the 1.2 GW order was the largest equipment purchase in history for the community solar market.

By increasing the total commitment to 2 GW, Summit Ridge reports it will develop more than 100 additional community solar projects across the country using U.S.-made solar.

Last year Qcells announced what was then the largest investment in U.S. solar manufacturing history, investing more than $2.5  billion to build a complete solar supply chain in the United States. This made the Korean company, a subsidiary of Hanwha Solutions, the first company to establish a fully-integrated silicon-based solar supply chain in the U.S. When complete, Qcells solar panels — from polysilicon to the finished panel — will be entirely made in the U.S.

Both the build-out of Qcells U.S. manufacturing footprint and the growth of Summit Ridge Energy are incentivized by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The includes tax incentives for domestic energy production as well as manufacturing. Many of Summit Ridge’s solar projects also qualify for IRA tax credits that will provide thousands of low-income households with greater access to clean energy savings.

“We are excited to expand our partnership with Qcells, which enables Summit Ridge to deliver on our promise of giving more Americans the opportunity to power their homes and businesses with locally generated clean energy,” said Brian Dunn, chief operating officer of Summit Ridge Energy. “Through our Qcells partnership, we are able to support domestic manufacturing and job creation, while simultaneously bringing low-cost clean energy to communities that have historically been left out of the clean energy transition.”

Summit Ridge’s planned fleet of community solar farms are expected to generate enough clean energy to power an estimated 200,000 homes and businesses. Since launching in 2017, the company reports that it has deployed over $2.6 billion into clean energy assets and controls a development pipeline of more than 3 GW that will provide solar power to homes and businesses nationwide.

“Expanding this relationship with Summit Ridge Energy means more communities will have access to the most affordable energy resource in the world,” said Justin Lee, CEO of Qcells. “This partnership not only supports the domestic manufacturing industry and thousands of jobs in solar, but it also ensures more people – especially those who have historically been left out – benefit from everything the clean energy economy has to offer.”

The majority of the solar panels purchased by Summit Ridge will be produced in Qcells’ new U.S. manufacturing facility located in Georgia. Additionally, Qcells will continue to provide Summit Ridge with battery storage and software solutions under separate procurement agreements.

From pv magazine Global

Chinese solar module manufacturer Longi unveiled last week a new module series based on its proprietary hybrid passivated back contact (HPBC) cell technology at the SNEC tradeshow in Shanghai, China.

The new Hi-MO X6 Artist panel is available in two versions dubbed Ultra Black and Full Black, which share the same electrical specifications.

The new products are sold with wattages ranging from 420 W to 430 W and power conversion efficiency spanning from 21.5% to 22.3%. The open-circuit voltage is between 39.45 V and 40.05 V and the short-circuit current is between 13.54 A and 13.77 A.

The modules have a temperature coefficient of -0.29%/C and a maximum system voltage of 1,500. Their size is 1,722 mm x 1,134 mm x 30 mm and their weight is 22.5 kg. They also feature IP68 junction boxes and 3.2 mm coated tempered glass.

The new products come with a 30-year linear power output warranty, with the 30-year end power output being guaranteed to be no less than 86.9% of the nominal output power.

The new modules are based on HPBC all-black cells and structured glass, which the manufacturer said ensures uniform light reflection in various directions. This feature guarantees a consistent black appearance without glare, regardless of the installation angle.

Unlike traditional solar modules priced by wattage, the Hi-MO X6 Artist is priced by square meter, facilitating easier alignment of the roof area with solar module size and simplifying cost calculations for homeowners. The version with a power output of 450 W is priced at CNY 298 ($41.7)/m2 and the 430W model is sold at CNY 268/m2.

Longi said that the Hi-MO X6 Artist module will enter mass production in the fourth quarter of this year and will be simultaneously available in all global markets.

In March, Longi launched its Hi-MO X6 Explorer and Hi-MO X6 Guardian modules. Later in late May, it presented the Hi-MO X6 Scientist panel. In June, it unveiled the Hi-MO 9 panel.

At Intersolar Munich 2024, Chinese solar cell and module maker Aiko Solar showed its Generation 3 Comet series of solar panels featuring a world record power conversion efficiency of 25.2%.

“The new products rely on our proprietary all-back-contact (ABC) solar cell technology,” Claudio Godinho, Europe Service Director at Aiko Solar, told pv magazine at the company’s booth in Munich. “The Comet Generation 3 solar module will be available in the fourth quarter of 2024. The module will be manufactured at their 10 GW and 14 GW facilities.”

Godinho noted that the modules use only copper in their backside located solar cell connections. The company said they can use copper, which tends to require thicker busbars, partially because they’ve moved those connections to the backside of the module.

Five versions of the new module series will be made available, with power output ranging from 625 W to 650 W and efficiency spanning from 24.2% to 25.2%. The open-circuit voltage is between 54.49 V and 54.99 V and the short-circuit current is between 14.60 A and 15.00 A. It has a size of 2,278 mm x 1,134 mm x 30 mm and a weight of 27 kg.

All products are built with 3.2 mm tempered anti-reflective glass and aluminum frames. They also feature an IP68 enclosure and a maximum system voltage is 1,500 V. The panels have a temperature coefficient of -0.26%/C and an operational temperature ranging from -40 C to 85 C (-40 F to 185 F).

Aiko Solar provides a 30-year performance warranty, with a purported 1% degradation in the first year and a guaranteed end power output of no less than 88.85% of the nominal power after 30 years.

The module features solar cells that overlap by about 0.3 mm. This reportedly generates more electricity within the same area – adding approximately 0.5% more sun-facing silicon. Moving all of the string connectors – the ABC technology – to the backside of the module increases the light absorption area by 1.1%, according to the manufacturer.

Aiko says approximately 93.5% of the solar module’s surface area is solar cells. Moving the solar cell interconnections to the backside of the solar panel does lower the bifaciality of the product to 70%. The backside contacts also give the module advantages in partial shade situations.

From ESS news

BASF Stationary Energy Storage, a subsidiary of chemical company BASF, and Japanese ceramics manufacturer NGK Insulators have launched a new version of their sodium-sulfur (NAS) batteries.

The containerized NAS MODEL L24 battery jointly developed by the partners, whose cooperation started in 2019, boasts a few technological improvements. Compared to the previously available battery type, the new NAS battery is characterized by a significantly lower degradation rate of less than 1% per year thanks to a reduced corrosion in battery cells.

Another technical achievement is an improved thermal management system in battery modules, which enables a longer continuous discharge. For instance, in the case of discharging at 200 kW-dc per NAS MODEL L24 unit, the continuous discharging duration is six hours.

The new technology elements have been incorporated into the field-proven battery design. Namely, NAS batteries were implemented practically for the first time in the world by NGK and since then installed at over 250 locations worldwide, with a total output of over 720 MW and total capacity of around 5 GWh installed.

Like the earlier version, the new concept complies with the latest safety standards for energy storage installations, such as UL1973 and UL9540A.

story continues…

From pv magazine Spain

Soltec Innovations, the innovation unit of ​​solar tracker manufacturer Soltec, has developed a floating solar tracker for reservoirs, irrigation ponds, and other inland bodies of water.

The new Flotus design is based on three main components: two longitudinal floats and a central floodable tank, responsible for regulating the east-west rolling movement.

“We have redefined the traditional approach,” said Ignacio Melón, general manager of Soltec Innovations and the head of the project. “The existing solutions in this segment were based on terrestrial photovoltaic structures on floats. With Flotus, we have started from a nautical structure equipped with photovoltaic modules, optimizing energy efficiency through better orientation and solar tracking.”

Soltec said a significant advantage of this technology is its ability to allow most light to pass through. The plant’s design, with followers in rows separated by at least 2 meters, avoids module shading during backtracking and, unlike traditional floating systems, allows the use of bifacial panels.

It said that robustness and stability are other strengths of Flotus. Equipped with pumps, the central tank not only provides mobility, but also acts as ballast, allowing the tracker to maintain its operation even in wind gusts of more than 100 kmh. Flotus stands out for its east-west tracking system, characteristic of terrestrial horizontal solar trackers, and its advanced naval design.

The manufacturer said that another advantage of Flotus over fixed floating structures is its ability to increase energy production by 15% to 25%, depending on latitude, especially during the first and last hours of the day. Thanks to the cooling effect of water, Flotus also surpasses the production of terrestrial solar trackers.

Soltec claimed that “Flotus is especially interesting for hybridizing hydraulic plants, maximizing the use of its already amortized electrical energy evacuation infrastructure.”

The company is now securing the first expressions of interest from developers in Spain and the United States, with a view to carrying out the first pilot projects next year.

Flexible interconnection with curtailed output can benefit everyone, analyst says  Allowing flexible interconnection for large solar projects can reduce costs and speed deployment, benefiting developers, ratepayers and utility staff, said a presenter at a North Carolina conference of utility regulators.

Startup launches online platform for residential PV system purchase Two-year old Monalee developed an online platform for homeowners looking to buy solar PV and storage systems. Its software enables the process from quotes to financing, installation and after-sales support.

Concentrator photovoltaic module based on surface mount technology A research group in Canada has optimized the performance of concentrator photovoltaics by using the so-called surface-mount technology for thermal management. The CPV module prototype utilizes four non-interconnected III-V germanium cells, a Fresnel lens, and a transparent glass printed-circuit board.

Five Puerto Rico reservoirs could host 596 MW of floating solar Potential sites for solar in Puerto Rico include reservoirs, brownfields, closed landfills, fossil generating plants after closure, and transmission rights of way, determined analysis by the National Renewable Energy Lab.

Weather-related damage to solar assets exceed modeling expectations by 300% The report from kWh Analytics, with input from several industry leaders, identified 14 risks to be aware of in the solar industry, including risks related to extreme weather, such as hail, and operational risks.

Cheapest source of fossil fuel generation is double the cost of utility-scale solar Solar levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) has fallen to $29 to $92 per MWh, said a report from Lazard.

List of top solar module manufacturers led by JA Solar, Trina Solar, Jinko Solar Wood Mackenzie says that JA Solar has taken first place on its list of solar panel manufacturers. Nine of the first 12 positions are held by Chinese manufacturers, seven of them could surpass 100 GW of capacity by 2027, and eight are self-sufficient in cell capacity, according to the research firm.

Largest ground-mount solar project in downtown Washington D.C. now operational  The community solar installation at The Catholic University of America was built through a collaborative effort between the university and 1,200 local residents.

Bosch unveils water source heat pumps for residential, commercial applications  Bosch Home Comfort has presented two new heat pumps series that can be used for both retrofits and new buildings. Both products have a size of a size of ½ to 6 tons and a coefficient of performance of up to 4.9.

Community solar increases energy equity, report finds For the first time research looks at data about households adopting community solar along with policy that promotes outreach, and the results confirm that coalition efforts are beneficial.

U.S. solar trade case moves forward The U.S. International Trade Commission unanimously voted that solar cell manufacturing in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, supported by local incentives, is harming U.S. industry. This decision paves the way for the Commerce Department to finalize its determinations on Countervailing Duties by July 18 and Anti-Dumping duties by October 1.

Empowering multifamily housing with Solar for All grants As multifamily housing emerges as a key player in the solar revolution, it is poised to not only benefit from but also drive positive change in the clean energy landscape.

Longi presents 24.4%-efficient 660 W HPBC solar panel Intended for applications in utility-scale PV projects, the new Hi-MO 9 module is available in eight versions with power output ranging from 625 W to 660 W and power conversion efficiency spanning from 23.1% to 24.4%.

More states now require smart inverters, enabling more distributed solar Pennsylvania and Minnesota have joined six other states in requiring smart inverters for distributed solar and storage. Certain utilities in 13 states and Puerto Rico also require smart inverters, while six states are considering the requirement. Smart inverters enable more solar on distribution circuits.

From pv magazine global

Chinese solar module manufacturer Longi unveiled a new module series based on its proprietary hybrid passivated back contact (HPBC) cell technology.

“Longi’s first-generation BC products were primarily positioned for the rooftop market, but the second generation of BC is entirely different,” the company said in a statement. “The Hi-MO 9 panel is mainly positioned for the ground-mounted utility market.”

The new product is available in eight versions with power output ranging from 625 W to 660 W and power conversion efficiency spanning from 23.1% to 24.4%. The open-circuit voltage is between 53.30 V and 54.00 V and the short-circuit current is between 14.85 A and 15.41 A.

The double-glass modules have a temperature coefficient of -0.28%/C and a maximum system voltage of 1,500. Their size is 2,382 mm x 1,134 mm x 30 mm and their weight is 33.5 kg. They also feature IP68 junction boxes, an anodized aluminum alloy frame, and 2.0 mm coated tempered glass.

The new products come with a 12-year product warranty and a 30-year linear power output warranty, with the 30-year end power output being guaranteed to be no less than 88.85% of the nominal output power.

“In the second-generation BC product, the company has comprehensively optimized the bifaciality issue,” the company said, noting that the bifaciality factor cannot generally be very outstanding in back contact technologies. “However, taking this into full consideration, the overall life-cycle power generation capability we display now an improvement of 6% to 8%,” it added, without providing more details.

The company has not revealed yet all the technical aspects of its HPBC cell technology. It previously said it’s an extension of p-type interdigitated back-contact (IBC) technology that combines the structural advantages of PERC, TOPCon, and IBC solar. Additionally, BC technology can be combined with p-type wafers, for which Longi has substantial production capacities, giving it an advantage over the more common IBC technology.

In March, Longi launched its Hi-MO X6 Explorer and Hi-MO X6 Guardian modules, and last week it introduced the Hi-MO X6 Scientist panel.

In its preliminary findings, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) found reasonable indications that the domestic solar module manufacturing industry is being materially harmed by imported solar cells from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. These countries have been identified as providing governmental incentives for setting up manufacturing facilities, sparking this investigation.

The complaint was initially brought forward by the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, which includes prominent members such as First Solar, Hanwha Qcells USA, and Mission Solar Energy, according to the USITC. The group’s press release also named Convalt Energy, REC Silicon and Swift Solar.

Industry insiders told pv magazine USA that this outcome was expected from this group. 

A detailed report titled “Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam; Inv. Nos. 701-TA-722-725 and 731-TA-1690-1693” is scheduled for release on July 5, 2024, on the USITC website.

The specific outcome from this meeting is that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) will continue its most recent ongoing investigation on the topic. Commerce will release its preliminary determination results on Countervailing Duties on July 18, with Anti-Dumping results due on October 1. These will be followed by final rulings from Commerce and the USITC’s final rulings on the subject.

In its initial filing, the USITC reported that over the past three years, the four countries have exported 71 GW of solar modules to the U.S., valued at $21 billion. During the same period, the U.S. installed a total of 83.8 GW of solar capacity. Suggested by USITC data, there’s an estimated 50 GW of solar modules currently stored in warehouses across the country. The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects that more than 50 GW of new solar capacity will be installed in the U.S. in 2024.

A significant portion of these imported solar modules is used in utility-scale solar projects.

The merchandise under investigation includes crystalline silicon photovoltaic (CSPV) cells and modules, as well as laminates and panels containing these cells. Excluded from this investigation are thin-film photovoltaic products made from materials such as amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, or copper indium gallium selenide, typical of products manufactured by First Solar. Off-grid CSPV panels are also excluded from this investigation.

Currently, the cost of importing solar panels into the U.S. could increase dramatically, according to Clean Energy Associates, if the panels originate from China. The collective effect of multiple tariffs – including Section 201, 301, Anti-Dumping, and Countervailing Duties, could raise the price of imported panels by 15% with no Chinese connections, and up to 286% for Vietnamese modules, should the proposed rates be approved.

From pv magazine Global

Bosch Home Comfort Group, a unit of German industrial conglomerate Robert Bosch GmbH, has launched new water source heat pumps intended for use in both new buildings and renovation projects.

“What we have solved for with our Bosch CL and RL Series heat pumps is a need for an HVAC unit design where high-quality and efficiency meet accessibility,” the company said in a statement. “Not only will these products make the jobs of techs and installers more seamless, but they will also offer them a deeper product portfolio to meet their customers’ needs and wants.”

The company said both products are available with both a vertical and a horizontal cabinet, use R-454B as a refrigerant, and rely on water coil and air coil freeze protection.

The CL Series has a size of ½ to 6 tons  The heat pump’s number of tons doesn’t refer to its weight but to the tons of heat a home needs. Its dimensions range from 48.3 cm x 48.3 cm x 58.4 cm to 61.0 cm x 83.8 cm x 147.3 cm. Its coefficient of performance spans from 4.45 to 4.90, depending on the size.

The CL Series also features a swinging electrical box, a slide-out blower on the vertical units, and designated compartments for high and low voltage components. “Together, these features not only improve safety conditions for technicians and installers, but also streamline routine services and repairs by offering greater accessibility to the unit’s compressor, air coils and other internal components,” the manufacturer said.

As for the RL Series, Bosch said its size and COP are the same as the CL Series. “Similar to the commercial model, the Bosch RL Series is equipped with a swinging and divided electrical box for faster and safer maintenance, as well as a slide-out blower on the vertical units,” the company added.

This series also features permanent split capacitor motors (PSC) and a unit protection module (UPM) that interfaces directly
with thermostats to provide time delays and protect the unit against freezing.

The two products come with a 1-year parts limited warranty and a 5-year compressor limited warranty.

As the United States reassesses its shrinking manufacturing base relative to China’s expanding influence and considers the global geopolitical landscape, solar panel import tariffs continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the industry. Solar modules are now the world’s leading source of new energy, and international relations often hinge on energy politics. This is exemplified by the current war in Europe, which was precipitated by Russia using its gas resources to slow the continent’s response to its invasion of Ukraine, leading to a massive increase in the adoption of photovoltaics across the continent.

Since October 10, 2012, the Commerce Department, then under President Barack Obama, has subjected all solar modules containing key components from China to an import tariff. Now, in 2024, as the solar industry strives to fully scale and establish itself, the U.S. has imposed five import tariffs, one geographical import ban, and has also recently initiated an additional tariff case now under investigation.

Christian Roseland, an analyst at Clean Energy Associates, released a document titled “US Trade Policies That Affect Solar PV.” This document lists seven policies:

2012

Starting from the oldest, the original Antidumping and Countervailing Duties (AD/CVD) case of 2012 was applied to all solar cells originating in China. According to a fact sheet from the U.S. International Trade Administration, the Commerce Department found that “Chinese producers/exporters have sold solar cells in the United States at dumping margins ranging from 18.32 to 249.96 percent. Commerce also determined that Chinese producers/exporters have received countervailable subsidies of 14.78 to 15.97 percent.”

Although Suntech and Trina were most publicly associated with these solar panel import tariffs, the ruling covered all solar cells from China, including 59 additional companies explicitly named in the document.

2014

While it didn’t technically affect solar cell prices, in 2014, the Obama administration charged “Five Chinese Military Hackers for Cyber Espionage Against U.S. Corporations and a Labor Organization for Commercial Advantage.” These charges stemmed from the theft of “thousands of files including information about SolarWorld’s cash flow, manufacturing metrics, production line information, costs, and privileged attorney-client communications relating to ongoing trade litigation, among other things.”

2015

In February 2015, a second pair of duties targeted solar modules assembled in China and solar cells from Taiwan. The solar module duty focused on Trina and was extended to include Jinko Solar. It applied to all companies assembling solar modules in China using solar cells from any manufacturing hub. It was determined that China had started to manufacture cells outside its borders, only to import them later for module assembly. The second ruling aimed to curtail Chinese companies that were specifically investing in the production of solar cells in Taiwan for subsequent reimportation into China.

The tariff rates were 26% for Trina, 78% for Jinko, with a standard 52% for a large number of companies. Companies not on the original list faced a nationwide tariff of 165%.

2018

Following lawsuits by Suniva, the Trump administration implemented two additional tariffs: Section 201 & Section 301, applying to solar modules and hundreds of other items, respectively. The Section 201 tariff imposed a 30% import tariff on all solar modules from all countries, decreasing 5% annually until its scheduled end. The Biden administration later extended this tariff.

Initially, the Section 201 tariff excluded bifacial solar modules, as no significant U.S. production existed. However, as the U.S. module manufacturing base began to scale, the Biden administration recently reinstated a 15% tariff on bifacial modules.

2022a

The Uighur Protection Act aimed to ban all materials coming from the Xinjang region of China, identified as originating from forced labor. This region is noted for its solar polysilicon production, facilitated by inexpensive coal-powered electricity. As a result, significant volumes of solar modules were blocked from entering the U.S. by Customs.

In response, many solar manufacturers began to shift their sourcing of solar polysilicon away from this region, including all products coming into the United States. To prove the origin of the product, the industry has started to develop supply chain verification techniques, and some Chinese solar manufacturers have initiated agreements with international polysilicon groups.

2022b (2012 – Part 2)

After a lawsuit was dismissed in 2021 due to anonymity concerns, Auxin Solar filed an AD/CVD lawsuit targeting Chinese manufacturers who had relocated solar cell and module production to Southeast Asia, claiming these actions violated the 2012 circumvention ruling. In winter 2022, the ruling confirmed circumvention by four companies, while another four major companies were found compliant.

The ruling specified that Chinese-origin solar cells would not be tariffed if at least three of six key subcomponents, including silver paste, aluminum frames, glass, backsheets, ethylene vinyl acetate sheets, and junction boxes, also originated outside of China.

President Biden paused the resultant tariffs for two years to foster the expansion of the U.S. solar industry, aligning with the goals of the inflation Reduction Act. The suspension was strategically planned to bolster the manufacturing and installation sectors of the solar industry during a critical growth period before any reductions in imports were enacted. Recently, Auxin challenged this decision by filing a lawsuit against the pause. This tariff suspension is scheduled to conclude on June 6, 2024.

2024a (2018 Part 2)

The current administration has extended and increased tariffs under the Section 301 ruling established in 2018, now covering solar cells, as well as batteries for cars and grid storage. The tariff on solar cells has risen from 25% to 50%, and battery cells have seen increases up to 25%. Today, importing solar cells from China, which cost between a few cents to a nickel per watt, would see a tariff increase from $0.0125/Wdc to $0.025/Wdc with this hike.

2024b – Pending Investigation

A petition filed by the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, which includes First Solar, Qcells, Meyer Burger, REC Silicon, and others, claims that the U.S. “manufacturing renaissance” is threatened by heavily subsidized Chinese cells and modules. These are alleged to be in violation of antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) laws.

The petition advocates applying the logic of the 2012 and 2015 AD/CVD rulings, which contend that certain countries hosting solar cell and module assembly factories – Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam – are unfairly subsidizing those factories, affecting all crystalline solar cell and panel manufacturers in those countries.

In their filing, the group says, “Although the Petitioner does not identify specific subsidy rates from the Subject Countries, the Petition alleges that solar cells and modules are imported and dumped in the U.S. market at the (above) margins.” The rates alleged are 70.35% for Thailand, 81.24% for Malaysia, 127.06% for Cambodia, and 271.45% for Vietnam.

How to apply solar panel import tariffs

Solar tariffs are collected by customs agents. While the buyer ultimately pays for the tariffs in the long run, the immediate financial responsibility depends on the import technique – EXW, FCA, DDP, etc. This determines who writes the check at the moment of import approval and who might be responsible if the amounts are incorrect or if evolving laws change the tariff amounts.

When calculating the AD/CVD and Section 201/301 tariffs, each tariff percentage is applied to the purchase price of the product. Among the four AD/CVD tariffs, a single charge is applied, but this only pertains to modules from specific regions. Conversely, both the Section 201 and 301 tariffs are imposed on all solar modules globally.

For example, if a solar module costs $0.10 per watt, then the Section 201 tariff at 15% would add $0.015 per watt, and the Section 301 tariff at 50% would add $0.05 per watt.

For a 2015 AD/CVD non-compliant solar module, the tariffs would vary significantly by manufacturer and country. For instance, when importing from China, tariffs are 26% for Trina products, 78% for Jinko, with a standard rate of 52% applying to a large number of companies. Non-listed companies would face a 165% tariff, leading to additional costs ranging from $0.026 to $0.165 per watt due to tariffs.

Should the 2024b tariff be applied as proposed, tariffs would increase costs significantly, adding $0.07035 per watt for modules assembled in Thailand up to $0.27145 per watt for those from Vietnam. However, none of these countries would have the Section 301 tariff applied, as that tariff only applies to products manufactured in China.

In total, a solar module initially costing a dime per watt could eventually cost between $0.191 and $0.38 per watt – an increase of 91% to 286%.

In comparison to the Inflation Reduction Act

Solar panel import tariffs are primarily intended to support the development of a new U.S.-based solar module manufacturing supply chain, which is financially backed by the Inflation Reduction Act. This act introduces a series of tax credits designed to bolster domestic manufacturers.

For solar modules, the credits are as follows:

• Solar cells: 4 cents per direct current watt of capacity
• Solar wafers: $12 per square meter
• Solar grade polysilicon: $3 per kilogram
• Polymeric backsheet: 40 cents per square meter
• Solar modules: 7 cents per direct current watt of capacity

For inverters, the credit varies depending on the type and is applied per watt of alternating current:

• Central inverter: 0.25 cents
• Utility inverter: 1.5 cents
• Commercial inverters: 2 cents
• Residential inverters: 6.5 cents
• Microinverters: 11 cents

Additionally, torque tubes for racking will receive a credit of $0.87 per kilogram, and structural fasteners will receive $2.28 per kilogram. Detailed information on these production credits is available starting on page 414 of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Has the Inflation Reduction Act bolstered the U.S. solar supply chain?  Wood Mackenzie is tracking the capacity that manufacturers have announced will come online in the U.S.; however, three challenges remain including a balance of materials, pricing and tariffs.

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