Solar Policy, Concentrated Solar, PV, Solar Thermal : Solar Power World

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Live From WREF Denver: An Interview With Andrea Luecke

Welcome to another edition of Solar Speaks, Solar Power World’s podcast series that gives you the opportunity to hear from the industry’s biggest newsmakers – in their own words. In this edition, we interview Andrea Luecke, executive director of The Solar Foundation, to discuss the real state of the solar labor market — and what we can all do to help the growth to continue. Take a listen and let us know what you think.Podcast: Read More

Breaking Solar News: China Is Slapped with High Solar Tariffs

The U.S. solar power industry (along with China) has been on its toes since a coalition of solar panel manufacturers filed an anti-dumping complaint last fall. The U.S. Department of Commerce placed mild tariffs on Chinese solar manufacturers in March, but continued to investigate to see if these companies are illegally distorting the market. Today, we finally have a decision. Many sources are confirming the United States Commerce Department has placed tariffs upward of 30% on... Read More

Project Review: The Home of the Future is Here Now

Nexus EnergyHomes’ entire energy electrical system is tied to the electrical or utility grid for net metering. Power is produced during sunshine and drawn from the grid at night, or in periods of extensive cloud cover, to produce annual, zero or near zero electricity demand off the grid.

Nexus EnergyHomes builds net-zero homes available at market price Imagine opening your mailbox and never seeing another electric bill. This may seem like a dream for the future, but with today’s technology it’s actually possible to build houses that produce as much power as they generate. “Net-zero” homes have made headlines here and there, but at such high prices they are more of a novelty than an option for today’s house hunters. One company, however, set out to change... Read More

Ionomer Encapsulant Reduces Cost, Increases Strength CIGS Modules

Axuntek Solar Energy Co., Ltd. offers a IEC-certified Copper Indium Gallium (di)Selenide (CIGS) thin film solar cell modules using DuPont™ PV5400 series ionomer encapsulant. These frameless solar modules, which are the first adoption of DuPont™ PV5400 into CIGS technology, take advantage of the ionomer’s excellent clarity and low moisture ingress, which combine to create a highly efficient module with a low cost position due to the elimination of edge seal and frame. The... Read More

Solar Speaks: Live From Denver — An Interview With Sunny Rai of Intertek

Welcome to another edition of Solar Speaks, Solar Power World’s podcast series that gives you the opportunity to hear from the industry’s biggest newsmakers – in their own words. In this edition — live from Denver at the World Renewable Energy Forum — we interview Sunny Rai, regional vice president at Intertek , about what he’s seeing in the international solar industry, the increasing need for component certification and what needs to happen to push the U.S. solar... Read More

Photovoltaic Metallization Enables Efficient Solar Cells

DuPont says its Solamet PV17x photovoltaic metallization paste has become the leading frontside silver paste series on the market today due to its ability to raise efficiency in standard solar cell constructions. Its unique properties enable Lightly Doped Emitter (LDE) cell designs. LDE is a strong differentiator for solar cell producers as it can boost efficiency by up to 0.4 percent. DuPont Microcircuit Materials is taking steps to increase its supply capability for Solamet... Read More

From The Field: Of Mug-Me Badges, Session Attendance And More

DENVER: The first time I heard the term “mug-me” badges, I was a 25-year old trade editor attending a trade show in New York. I left the Jacob K. Javits Center still wearing my show badge. My editor at the time, a kindly gentleman whose only goal was to keep me alive, tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Take your badge off. If you don’t, you look like a tourist, and you’re just begging someone to mug you.” That’s good advice for anyone,... Read More

All in One Weather Station Monitors Solar Module Temperature

Lufft of Germany says its all-in-one weather station is equipped with a special external surface temperature sensor for monitoring solar module temperature. The new optional external sensor can be attached to the station and adds additional channels, which can be easily polled via the existing communication signal. The WS Family of all-in-one weather stations provide high precision measurements of multiple parameters including solar radiation, wind, rainfall, temperature, humidity... Read More

Eclipsall To Supply 3-MW to Uganda

Eclipsall Energy Corp. has agreed to supply 3MW of solar modules to the Government of Uganda, Ministry of Health. The solar modules will be used for planned solar projects on 100 medical clinics throughout the Republic of Uganda. The medical clinics are located largely in remote areas of the country. The installations will include both grid tied and off-grid photovoltaic systems and will include battery back up and related services to ensure that the systems continue to operate... Read More

Solectria Inverters Power Largest CSP Facility

Solectria Renewables’ solar inverters will be used in the 30-MW Alamosa Solar Generating Project, the largest high concentrating photovoltaic power (CPV) generating facility in the world. The solar project consists of over 500 large CPV pedestals, solar inverters and dual axis trackers. The site is located in Alamosa, CO, and extends 225 acres. The San Luis Valley in Colorado has a high altitude and is one of the best places for solar projects in the United States. Cogentrix... Read More

Software Helps Solve PV Fleet Management Challenges

Photovoltaic systems—from residential to utility-scale—experience rapid changes in power output due to cloud cover. As more photovoltaic systems are installed in a given area, this variability poses a challenge for utilities and ISOs who are responsible for grid stability. SolarAnywhere software from Clean Power Research can help with these solar challenges. The solar software uses High Resolution irradiance data and newly patented fleet analysis methodologies that together... Read More

From The Field: Turn Right At The Big Blue Bear

“Turn right at the Big Blue Bear.” Those are the first words that greet you as you exit the parking garage at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver, where I am attending the World Renewable Energy Forum this week. Sure enough, as you walk down 14th St. to get to the front entrance of the facility, there is a 40-foot Blue Bear with its nose pressed up against the windows, watching the people inside scurry around to get the latest information on renewable... Read More

Report Recommends Changing Solar Standards for Ground Mounts

The Solar America Board for Codes and Standards (Solar ABCs) has released a final report, “Grounding Photovoltaic Modules: Issues and Recommendations,” which draws on feedback from solar industry experts as well as ongoing research at Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) and presents the issues with recommendations for changes to existing standards. The need for this study was identified through a gap analysis completed by the Solar ABCs following a survey of U.S. stakeholders. There... Read More

Silicon Energy Selects Motech Americas as Exclusive Supplier

Silicon Energy, a manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems made in Marysville, Washington and Mountain Iron, Minnesota, has selected Motech Americas, a manufacturer of solar modules, as its exclusive supplier of solar panels. The Solar modules have been manufactured at Motech’s Newark site for over 20 years. Under the terms of the agreement Motech will work to support Silicon Energy in delivering US-made standard solar modules. “Silicon Energy is committed to manufacturing... Read More

Calling All Clean-Tech Execs

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association announced today the creation of the Cleantech Fellows Institute (CFI), an intensive, 17-week executive training program to create near-term venture backable companies in cleantech. The fellows program is the first of its kind with a national focus. Selected executives from across the nation will join the program. Targeted executives are those who have built successful companies in different sectors such as aerospace, biotechnology... Read More

Solar Components

Ionomer Encapsulant Reduces Cost, Increases Strength CIGS Modules

Inverters

Solectria Inverters Power Largest CSP Facility

Projects

Project Review: The Home of the Future is Here Now

Racking and Mounting

Racking & Mounting Company Updates System for Intersolar

Sollega says its InstaRack ballasted solar racking system makes flat-roof solar installations faster and easier. The system installs quickly and easily and has the least number of parts of all racking systems currently on the market, according to the manufacturer. The system is made from high-density polyethylene with a built-in UV inhibitor, and can withstand [...]