Comments for pv magazine USA

Comment on Solar trade group sets standards for ethical solar practices by Michael Shonka

Michael Shonka — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 01:48:13 +0000

The “Solar Bros” finally made it into the national headlines after years of running rabid. This is the same story, different decade, from the sales practice abuses of the 1980s. I am pleased SEIA chooses to act more forcefully this time. There will need to be a greater sense of urgency from State Attorney Generals, Dept of Energy, and even the FBI, to name a few. People will need the tools to help defend themselves and too few know their options (or can even discover the market price for solar installations). Congratulations to SEIA for acting and for PV Mag to cover the story. Let us not forget – this is just a start for the industry to reclaim its ethics.

Comment on Agrivoltaics for corn by Steve

Steve — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 17:14:40 +0000

Double-use is probably the future of renewable energy. Can’t think of any “double-use” options for strip mining, drilling or fracking. Nice bonus also that renewables are already cheaper than fossil fuel options.

Comment on Tesla usurps Sungrow as lead BESS producer globally in 2023 by Sharon Seldner

Sharon Seldner — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 22:28:20 +0000

I have 2 counties in Florida that want Agrivoltaics over their farmland but not for the pittance the local power company will pay per kWh. They wanted to buy the land so they are not interested in paying a fair land lease price or energy price for the equity people.
How do I make this work for the farmers?? There are others out there who are waiting to see how the first few farmers do.
I guess I did too good a job selling the idea. Now everybody is ready to make the 25 year commitment but the numbers don’t work for the financiers.
Please help.

Comment on U.S. government announces resources to protect solar customers by Patricia L Allen

Patricia L Allen — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 14:10:40 +0000

In Florida, we installed 52 panels on our residential home and then our insurance company said our homeowners insurance would double because it was a threat to the grid which nextera/FPNL also said we needed a battery to be off the grid in our garage. We were shocked we had no idea, I started calling and ask if this was correct and they back down but to say it was going to go up $4000 was astonishing after we thought we were doing the right thing !

Comment on SunPower goes bankrupt by John Griffin

John Griffin — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 15:05:49 +0000

Who will service warrantee work on existing SunPower installed residential roof-top solar systems? This must be a condition of sale of the bankrupt’s assets. I’m a Democrat!

Comment on Goldman Sachs invests $440 million in renewable independent power producer by John Dixon

John Dixon — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 13:28:17 +0000

Just another renewable company who will file for bankruptcy in a year or two.

Comment on Hail risk may bring financial instability to solar projects by David J. Arnold

David J. Arnold — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 02:13:44 +0000

That picture looks like someone dropped a bowling ball fro 30,000 ft. I am a thermographer and of course where there is damage to a panel has damaged a circuit there will be a hot spot. most of the damage I have seen are between a golf ball and baseball in size. The difference is most of the time the face of the panel looks brand new. The only way you can visually see the damage, and it is very obvious. The only way you can see it is with a FLIR camera. I do surveys and the array doesn’t look like it has a scratch, but with a FLIR camera, it looks like the array has a serious case of the measles. It’s not limited to hail. I have had panels come from China that also look new, but in infrared, they look like a spider’s web. The panels were probably perfect leaving the factory, but thousands of miles of truck and boat rides can do some damage.All it takes is one circuit to be cracked to seriously degrade the performance of the product.

Comment on SunPower goes bankrupt by John dixon

John dixon — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 21:06:37 +0000

Just proves that unless subsidized and paid for wirh others tax money, these industries cannot survive. Very reason that the government needs to stay out of business and let private industries be successful based on demand, and quality.

Comment on Proposed FEMA building code may hamper solar deployment by Richard J Dennis

Richard J Dennis — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 20:45:44 +0000

I live in Warwick RI. I had a solar system installed by United Better Homes. They pulled all the required permits, installed the system, had it inspected, made some corrections to satisfy the city inspectors and passed the inspection. Now the city of Warwick will not give the okay to the electric co. to put in the new meter. There reasoning is that the panels are not 18′ above high tide. I thought the 18′ elevation was for the first floor living space on new construction. What do you think???????

Comment on How long do residential solar batteries last? by Michael Oellig

Michael Oellig — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 20:17:55 +0000

Thank you for this article, although, in my opinion it falls short of identifying the best way to prolong the health of a battery back up system.
The strong advice of EV manufacturers and even Apple iPhone is to NEVER, OR AT LEAST RARELY WHEN YOU ARE PLANNING A LONG TRIP, CHARGE YOUR LITHIUM ION BATTERY TO 100%!
I have had my LG Chem battery for 4 1/2 years and only charge it to 80%.
I do the same for my Electric Vehicle and my iPhone. Regularly charging these batteries to 100% will shorten their lifespan…PERIOD!
I have tried for years to get responses from the Solar battery industry, and this magazine as to why they fail to educate customers to this fact and have yet to receive a reply?
Oh My!

Comment on The evolving art and science of agrivoltaics by Michael Gallant

Michael Gallant — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 21:28:19 +0000

In reply to Joe.

Joe,

What’s wrong with soybeans? They help restore nitrogen to the soil. That’s why we rotate corn and soybeans, as corn consumes a lot of nitrogen.

GMO seeds are not intrinsically problematic. In fact, many GMO crops, including soybeans, are engineered to be more resistant to pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and herbicides. This can lead to more sustainable farming practices. Naturally, the corporate and legal aspects of GMO crops are extremely problematic, but I think these issues are separate from the potential functionality of GMOs.

As long as we continue funding and continue receiving good regulation from the NIH, USDA APHIS, FDA, EPA, EFSA, the European Commission, CFIA, Health Canada, CTNBio, OGTR, GEAC, Codex Alimentarius, and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, GMOs should remain unproblematic.

Energy producing shade structures create a new environment, and GMO technology has the potential to help us engineer plants to thrive in new environments. As we develop new agrivoltaics pairings and physical layouts, we will certainly want to modify some plants so that they are more shade tolerant. We may also benefit from engineering plants to be more resistant to disease, as agrivoltaics facilities are darker and damper, and carry the potential for humidity-loving funguses and bacteria.

Comment on Hail risk may bring financial instability to solar projects by Paul McGown

Paul McGown — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 18:18:16 +0000

The simple expedient of installing vertically mounted panels on a large scale would mitigate the “gamble” of hail damage. A multi-location operator could partner standard mount solar farms in lower risk geographical areas and hedge their risk exposure. Enhanced solar production during the “shoulders of the day” is a plus.

Comment on Senate committee approves bill to improve permitting of energy projects by Ajay Goyal

Ajay Goyal — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 12:30:02 +0000

Another "red herring" piece of legislation for POLLUTING fossil fuels under the guise of "promoting" POLLUTION FREE SOLAR / Renewable Energy... Shame on these Senators who refuse to accept their "addiction" to POLLUTING fossil (and other) fuels as they keep feeding them more and more benefits...

Comment on Interview: My experience as a battery energy storage homeowner by Larry West

Larry West — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 03:28:41 +0000

This is pretty similar to my experience with panels installed (SW San Diego County) in 2020 & 2021, but with a 24kWh battery made in California (NeoVolta), we only draw (net) from SDG&E when it’s been cloudy a lot. But, for black-outs, the battery is in a mode where it tops off during off-peak periods, which makes sense with NEM 2.0 but maybe not with 3.0 … but we’ve not been without electricity since installing, and even ran extensions to our neighbors twice.

My advice is to get the biggest battery you can afford, and the most panels: the technology is already good enough and electricity prices are only going to rise.

And, yes, we replaced our 17-year-old gas water heater with a Heat Pump one – a no-brainer in California.

Comment on Interview: My experience as a battery energy storage homeowner by E-lectric

E-lectric — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 01:37:11 +0000

The state PUCs are badly outmatched by the utilities. Public employees vs profit motivated IOUs who will engage expensive experts to bolster their case.

All the utility has to do is cry bankruptcy or infrastructure decline. They regularly demonstrate the potential power outages on a regular basis.

Comment on The evolving art and science of agrivoltaics by Joe

Joe — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 15:45:54 +0000

If John Weaver write about Agrisolar and agripv, you can bet your bottom dollar the Agrivoltaicologist to be Joe is going to read it with a fine tooth comb. Next time lets write about the debate between ecovoltaics vs agrivoltaics as far as how policy should be written to give more points to actual farm capable agripv as opposed to the easier process that developers seem to choose of pollinator plantings. Not to say pollinator planting is not beneficial on lands that have been on corn, soybean , heavy fertilze, heavy herbicide, GMO seeds are not a good thing.

Comment on Interview: My experience as a battery energy storage homeowner by Barry Cinnamon

Barry Cinnamon — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 20:39:26 +0000

In reply to Gregory Devlin.

Hi Gregory – The California Solar and Storage Association, or CALSSA, is the non-profit organization that lobbies on behalf of the rooftop solar industry and homeowners. CALSS was fighting tooth and claw against the change in net metering, but was outspent 10-1 by utilities. Check out http://www.calssa.org for more.

Comment on Interview: My experience as a battery energy storage homeowner by Jerry Wagner

Jerry Wagner — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 15:02:20 +0000

A heat pump water heater & heat pump central heating/ AC system would have been a better choice. I live in the north SF Bay Area, & had a 10 panel Enphase micro-inverter solar system installed in 2016, along with a HP water heater, high efficiency gas FAU & a forced air gas fireplace. I’m now replacing the gas FAU with a heat pump. The gas fireplace is my backup heater. In 2016, my solar cost $8.5k, and so did the gas FAU + new ducts. The new heat pump will cost the same. My annual electric bill is less than $250, including the $140 fee paid to PG&E for grid connection. It’ll go up with the heat pump, but still be less than my gas bill for winter heating, & I’ll have AC.

Comment on How long do residential solar batteries last? by Toumal

Toumal — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 19:01:02 +0000

In reply to Rose and Clifford Hare.

Yeah, no, that’s just not the case. First of all, what “inverter system” costs 20.000 dollars? A 3000VA inverter costs about 1.500 dollars, and that powers more than “5 items”. 10kWh of battery storage are around $3500-4000.
I got 30kWh installed 8 years ago and the system is still going strong, last time I checked I still got over 29kWh out of a full charge (which is probably partly because these rack units have a buffer). The batteries have effectively doubled my PV yield, and the entire system (+PV) paid itself off already. Heating the house with geothermal heatpump and absolutely loving it. But I get that burning stuff was mankinds greatest invention and is so ingrained in our culture that it’s really hard to get away from that.

Comment on Interview: My experience as a battery energy storage homeowner by Gregory Devlin

Gregory Devlin — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 15:27:32 +0000

What needs to happen to get the legislation to roll back the regulations. Are we a block of voters, if so what is the lobbying group we need to fund? Our bill is average $550.00/month. We’re installing solar with batteries to the tune $100,000 just keep our head above water.

Comment on How long do residential solar batteries last? by Rose and Clifford Hare

Rose and Clifford Hare — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 23:41:48 +0000

wooh having just spent over $20,000 for an inverter system that can only power 5 items,which was eye opening in itself to now reading the batteries might last 10 years is all,well the installers said for another $20,000 I had room to put another battery in the box to power more things just eye opening we have a 926 sg ft house built in 1958 and for all that expensive money they won’t last as long as the solar panels do!

Comment on Construction begins on largest utility-owned solar project in New Hampshire by Craig butler

Craig butler — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 12:36:46 +0000

It’s OK to see the solar farm going into kingston nh.
The draw back is green energy is not true statement.
The amount of pollution in obtaining rare earth minerals and copper far out way the savings
As of now the is no rare earth recycling.
And recycled copper can not be used in electrical applications.
It takes 2 tons of rare earth minerals for a wind turbine. And 2,000 tons of waste to obtain it.
Anyway the solar farms should not be put on virgin
Grounds.
The old toxic site could be utilized or the old capped dump.
Thus utilizing land that will sit idle forever

Comment on Top solar panel brands in reliability, quality, and performance by Asad Mohamed

Asad Mohamed — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 12:08:52 +0000

Does anyone know if the new Inverter ( IQ8 ) is any more reliable than the previous?

Comment on Utility-scale agrivoltaic installation in Ohio is now operational by Jack Meoff

Jack Meoff — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 21:10:51 +0000

Does it work at night or cloudy weather..?? One similar site outside Houston just got DESTROYED by hail, out of business.. Of course it never hails in this location ..?? Solar has uses in limited situations, but it’s not going to change our lives..

Comment on Organic solar cell gains counterintuitive efficiency boost from entropy by Phillip

Phillip — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 05:00:52 +0000

This is great news. I see I world where power is so cheap that everyone can have access to it. Coal fired power plants still dominate here in South Africa and as a result we have to deal with dirty air and rising energy cost due to corruption. I see every property in the near future will benefit from this evolving technology.

Comment on Who supports the clean energy transition? by Chuck Golden

Chuck Golden — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 21:13:41 +0000

I am 82 years old. We have solar and batteries. We also have Geothermal so 100% of energy usage is electric and the 72 solar panels exceed our needs. We also have a a n Electic Vehicle that we use for 95% of our transportation needs. We live in the country and mow about 6-7 acres with an Electric Zero-Turn mower.
I wish more people were doing it.

Comment on California approves 525 MWac of solar and 320 MW of geothermal by John Weaver

John Weaver — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 13:27:18 +0000

In reply to Jerry Wagner.

Technically Jerry, it is already the case that geothermal has more in the queue than nuclear – in the whole of the USA in fact…because there isn’t a real nuclear power plant anywhere in the queue in the USA.

Comment on California approves 525 MWac of solar and 320 MW of geothermal by Jerry Wagner

Jerry Wagner — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 20:22:45 +0000

Enhanced & Advanced Geothermal will eclipse proposals for any new nuclear power plants in most of the US west. Exploitable US Geothermal resources are already mapped & even exist in West Virginia. In terms of cost, safety, & required land footprint, it’s going to be the Go-To resource for firm power wherever it’s feasible.

Comment on Ohio regulators set hearing for proposed 350 MW solar project by David Wells

David Wells — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 13:13:13 +0000

I am a life long resident of Croton. I know change does happen but we can slow it down some. Town council does its best but there is not much they can do. Due to the solar farm being outside of village limits. I could go on but what’s the point.

Comment on Rutgers University studies co-locating solar energy with crop production by Ajay Goyal

Ajay Goyal — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 12:42:08 +0000

NJ already has a lot of farmers nearby and should collaborate with them and include them in their “research” to provide faster adoption of AgriVoltaics (AV) by farmers in NJ.

The best part is these farmers, like in other States, are the biggest landowners… ready to install PV Panels and implement AV…

AV is ready for Implementations… the Basics are already there… PV Panels, Hardware etc, land with Solar exposure and hundreds of years experience with different types of Agricultural products… They just have to be Integrated and Optimized. The earlier the better, as every KWhe of Pollution Free Electricity generated saves human lives and suffering somewhere in the USA and around the globe, providing an immediate “payoff” for mankind…

Mankind cannot afford to Research-n-Develop On and On…. and needs Pollution Free AV Electricity asap, so as to start shutting those Polluting Facilities and Equipent down asap… and saving Human Lives & Suffering..

Comment on North American EV battery production forecast to reach 1 TWh annually by 2030 by Gaurav Singh

Gaurav Singh — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 09:41:24 +0000

Thanks, for sharing the article; reaching a production capacity of 1 TWh annually by 2030 is a significant leap forward. This will not only strengthen the EV industry but also create a more sustainable transportation sector.

Comment on Solar project developers face opposition from Joshua Tree conservationists by Sara

Sara — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 16:35:25 +0000

In reply to John Somics. Change.org

Comment on Spontaneous glass breakage on solar panels on the rise by Matt Powers

Matt Powers — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 22:41:10 +0000

It would be nice to see the data on how thickness of glass correlates to failures as well. REC has talked for a long time about micro-fractures in solar cells due to flexing panels too much during installation, but I’m curious if that’s what’s happening with the thinner glass as well.

There’s a lot of fear-mongering over the longevity of solar, but the failure rates are still exceptionally low. A lot of the data comes from commercial and industrial sites as well, which typically source cheaper & lower-quality modules than a residential system would use. Some maintenance and failure is expected, but I would be surprised if this issue was persistant across all models of solar panels, and not just the more commodity modules.

Comment on Legal experts dispel fourteen false claims about solar, wind and electric vehicles by Andy Cason

Andy Cason — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 12:41:39 +0000

In reply to Alfred Z. You have to click the link in the article."Rebutting 33 False Claims About Solar, Wind, and Electric Vehicles"

Comment on Improving solar panel recyclability with lasers by john

john — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 04:54:19 +0000

The advancements in solar panel recyclability through laser technology are groundbreaking. NREL’s use of femtosecond lasers to create glass-to-glass welds eliminates plastic layers, facilitating easier and more efficient recycling. This innovation not only enhances sustainability but also ensures valuable materials like silicon can be reused effectively, marking a significant step towards greener energy solutions.

Comment on Top solar panel brands in reliability, quality, and performance by Paul wisdom

Paul wisdom — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 00:29:57 +0000

Looking for solar carport only

Comment on Spontaneous glass breakage on solar panels on the rise by Al Sade

Al Sade — Sun, 23 Jun 2024 15:10:16 +0000

I agree with the statement that solar panels are getting bigger and bigger but the protection glass is prone to cracks and breakages especially during transporting. Need to control it’s size.

Comment on Spontaneous glass breakage on solar panels on the rise by David Brosky

David Brosky — Sun, 23 Jun 2024 14:05:00 +0000

Could the glass be made in a oval form like a magnifying glass thickining at the middle or make the glass with the same concept as a 3D picture with different angles as you look at it

Comment on Largest solar and storage project in U.S. activated by Ajay Goyal

Ajay Goyal — Sun, 23 Jun 2024 08:20:37 +0000

In reply to neutrino78x. There is no such thing as "barren land"... they are ALL mineral rich and JUST waiting for water to arrive... that is all... Even Desert land can be turned "green" with water and even better with shade provided by PV Panels. This 4,600 Acre, 875 MW PV Panel + Storage Project dooms 4,600 Acres to remain barren, when it could be made Green & Fertile... In addition, the Toxin Laden Batteries will end up in Toxic Waste Landfills in a few years... spreading (leaching) Pollution.... We appear to ... to repeat our mistakes of the past... by wasting resources and kicking the "Pollution Ball" from one place and form to another.... This 875 MW Project could have (can) easily adopted "Agro/Food Friendly" AgriVoltaics (AV) where one generates SOLAR Electricity above as one continues to Graze and Grow food below by pumping water (using AV Electricity) and using PHS (Pumped Hydro Storage) by ADOPTING UHES (see youtube channel zeropollution2050 ... UHES) for S2S .... Sunset-To-Sunrise... Energy Storage. In BOTH CASES it Optimizes use of Existing Resources... Land and Hydro Storage at EXISTING Hydro Sites. " When will we ever learn... when will we ever... learn"...

Comment on Spontaneous glass breakage on solar panels on the rise by Kurt Markshausen

Kurt Markshausen — Sun, 23 Jun 2024 02:56:47 +0000

This report didn’t mention the country of origin of these solar panels where the glasses spontaneously breaks. I’ve traveled to China more than 50 times over the last 20 years, and I can assure you that the Chinese are simply cheating by making thinner, glass and glass that does not meet Standards. I’ve probably visited more than 100 different factories, including a dozen making photovoltaic products.. Most of them were conscientious and tried to make good products. However, in the last 10 years tensions between the US and China have escalated over the South China Sea and the Chinese are doing whatever they can to increase their market share. Often this includes selling products below cost or cheating on recognized industry standards to gain sales.

Comment on Spontaneous glass breakage on solar panels on the rise by Joe Woods

Joe Woods — Sat, 22 Jun 2024 16:49:45 +0000

This article once again proves solar panels just aren’t right and safe for producing energy. During construction of these so-called solar panel fields, the natural environment is destroyed. Then when the “fields” are put into operation the great potential for eternal damage to the environment exists. Other than money to the landowner, no positive impact will occur to the surrounding landowners. Let’s get behind this effort and do what is necessary to kick the solar fields out of our backyard.

Comment on Spontaneous glass breakage on solar panels on the rise by Vernon Dann

Vernon Dann — Sat, 22 Jun 2024 16:24:34 +0000

Would be better article if you identified specific panels that tend to break.

Comment on Spontaneous glass breakage on solar panels on the rise by Terry Chambers

Terry Chambers — Sat, 22 Jun 2024 13:32:51 +0000

What’s going to happen to all the damaged solar panels ? And when they stop working? A solar land fill!

Comment on A look at the great transformer shortage affecting U.S. utilities by Gonzalo

Gonzalo — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 22:44:50 +0000

In reply to Mike. Hey Mike, my local Home Depot has 900 meter sockets in store. Are you looking for something very niche? Doesn't seem to be a shortage for residential meter sockets.

Comment on Minnesota sues GoodLeap, Sunlight, Mosaic and Dividend over dealer fees by Alexsa E

Alexsa E — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 01:09:38 +0000

Please let me know how I can do this in Florida or if I can join this class action as I am being scammed from Titan solar which went bankrupt last week. my loan amount from Goodleap is 97,000 with an interest rate of 1.98% with a 420 payment every month. we have been trying to get out of this loan for 3 years now! It literally has been a nightmare.

Comment on Titan Solar latest in residential solar business closures by Bill

Bill — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 01:07:42 +0000

In reply to Randy Dunton. Now need to know who to contact for help? My system is only a year old this month

Comment on U.S. grid-scale storage grows 84%, residential storage 48% by Lance Benson

Lance Benson — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 23:46:30 +0000

I understand GW vs GWh with respect to solar panels, with the first term representing the instantaneous output power, and GWh representing cumulative energy produced over a day, but I don’t understand what that distinction means with respect to storage.

Can someone explain what is signified by this statement: “About 250 MW / 515 MWh of residential storage was installed”?

Comment on Titan Solar latest in residential solar business closures by Justin Waters

Justin Waters — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:45:54 +0000

Just fine a local company to resolve your solar problems that simple. Titan Solar did better work than the utiltiy companies across the country. No utiltiy company scaled in other states like Titan Solar has and other utility companies. If you have an inverter problems or leak just have someone resolve it.

Comment on Titan Solar latest in residential solar business closures by Randy Dunton

Randy Dunton — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 14:29:55 +0000

25 year workmanship? first off the more important warranty is with the PV modules and the PV inverter. Workmanship warranty is usually 2 years.

Comment on Titan Solar latest in residential solar business closures by Al Harsch

Al Harsch — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 17:41:49 +0000

I had the pleasure of working with the Titan Team and in the 19+ years that I have been in this industry. I first hand witnessed TITAN solar give back to the community and to numerous charities on a unprecedented scale. Far more than any other company in this industry to date. A lot of us go into solar to do our part for the environment and make some difference. Then we get locked in the seat of the solar coaster. Titan put did not just say or hope to do it, they actually put money where it made a difference out of their own pocket. While they have closed they still have left behind a legacy of help and assistance for thousands of people. What they did in terms of growth just 10 years was unlike any other solar company in the nation.