Solar Power World

Solar Power World Today

From The Field: Solar Power Generation, Day Two

Today at the Solar Power Generation show (see my report on the first day here), I found myself once again wishing I could split myself into three different people. Today was the day when the conference moved into a three-track system focusing on utility-scale technologies: concentrated solar power, concentrated PV and traditional PV. Since I couldn’t be be in all three places at once, I broke up my day so I could attend all three tracks. Here are some highlights from what... Read More

Manufacturer offers “Buy American” solar inverters

Solar inverter manufacturer SMA America offers certain Sunny Central models for commercial and utility-scale projects requiring compliance with the “Buy American” clause in the American Reconstruction and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Sunny Central 500-HE US solar inverter Currently, the full Sunny Central Compact Power (CP) line—which includes 500-800 kilowatt inverters—and the Sunny Central 500HE-US (assembled in Denver, Colorado) meet the guidelines of the the Buy... Read More

From The Field: Solar Power Generation, Day One

I hopped on a plane to Las Vegas on Monday to attend the Solar Power Generation conference and boy, I’m glad I did. The first day started with remarks from Barry McDonald, Vice President, Solar Energy Development, TetraTech, who outlined the challenges that faced the industry in 2011. He cited the bankruptcies of companies like Solyndra, Evergreen Solar and the rest, as well as plummeting PV prices as two of the biggest challenges that faced the industry. In 2102, McDonald... Read More

Pepco buys Solar Decathlon winner for public education

WaterShed, the international-prize-winning solar house built by University of Maryland students, faculty and professional partners, has found a buyer and a permanent site: Electric service provider Pepco is purchasing the high-tech building, and plans to locate it at one of its facilities in Montgomery County, Maryland. The purchase secures WaterShed’s future and will make its innovative technology and design available to the public for educational purposes, the parties... Read More

Axis inclinometer with analog/canopen output

Solar energy conversion systems translate solar radiant energy into a usable form, such as solar thermal energy or electricity through solar array panels. In one process, the solar radiant energy is converted into thermal energy by focusing the sun’s rays on a fluid, which is then used for power generation through the use of steam generation to drive turbines of electrical generators. Alternatively, the solar radiant energy is converted directly into electricity through... Read More

Kathie’s Question: Can renewable energy sources complement each other?

I recently read a few articles, including one in the Star Tribune, that discus incorporating wind and solar power in renewable energy projects. Wind and solar energy sources aren’t constant, so kind of makes sense right?  But when the wind isn’t blowing you can’t say the sun will be shining with 100% certainty. Developer Ecos Energy is testing the theory that locating solar photovoltaic systems near wind projects will increase reliability. The company is... Read More

Solar Policy: Hey, President Obama: Just DO It Already

There were 7,746 words in President Obama’s State of the Union speech last week. Of those, 573 of them were devoted to the clean energy future. Solar policy was only mentioned once. In case you missed it, here are his words: But with only 2 percent of the world’s oil reserves, oil isn’t enough.  This country needs an all-out, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy.  (Applause.)  A strategy that’s cleaner, cheaper, and full... Read More

Solar Research: University of Texas Studies Residential PV Solar Adoption

Varun Rai, assistant professor of Public Affairs and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas (Austin), released the preliminary findings of a study titled, Solar PV Adoption in the U.S. Residential Sector: Decision-Making & Behavior Change. The study examined what influences residential PV installations, including contextual and attitudinal factors and the impact of electricity rates, incentives, and socio-demographics (income, home value, environmental beliefs,... Read More

Solar calculator app for Androids and iPhone

The program is available in English, German and Italian. A solar yield calculator app is available for Android smartphones. An iPhone version already exists. Its developer Vario says the app enables calculating photovoltaic system yield and CO² savings. The calculator depends on the average annual solar radiation at the site to calculate the possible yield of a photovoltaic system. The application determines the location via GPS tracking. Modern mobile phones detect tilt and... Read More

Tweaking tiny parts can boost efficiency

By tweaking the smallest of parts, a trio of University at Buffalo engineers is hoping to dramatically increase the amount of sunlight that solar cells convert into electricity. Vladimir Mitin With military colleagues, the UB researchers have shown that embedding charged quantum dots into photovoltaic cells can improve electrical output by enabling the cells to harvest infrared light, and by increasing the lifetime of photoelectrons. The research appeared online last May in the... Read More

SolarBridge Technologies Signs Deal To Introduce Microinverters To Mexico

SolarBridge Technologies, a developer of module-integrated microinverters for the solar industry, announces a partnership with Solartec Energia Renovable to introduce AC modules to Mexico. Solartec will manufacture and sell AC modules powered by SolarBridge Pantheon microinverters into the Mexican market. Solartec’s S60MC is a 240-watt monocrystalline AC module that converts DC power from each solar module to grid-compliant AC power. The S60MC features a SolarBridge Pantheon... Read More

Understanding Clean Energy Standards

Although the U.S. currently lacks a solid national clean-energy policy, many states have already made commitments of their own. But clean-energy standards can be confusing. Join us in a special 1-hour webinar entitled “Understanding Clean Energy Standards.” Expert speakers from Standard Solar and DSIREUSA.org will define and distinguish clean energy policies and net metering laws, using different states as examples. This webinar helps explain clean energy standards and how... Read More

Kathie’s Question: Is solar energy already cheaper than fossil fuel?

In my Clean Energy Standards article in our 2012 Renewable Energy Handbook I discussed how manufacturers and their supply chains are working to get the cost of renewable power lower than that from natural gas. This is something I’ve heard commonly discussed at tradeshows. However, one reader sharply noted that renewable energy may already cost less than fossil fuels, depending on how you look at it. I’d like to share his comments with you. Perhaps the fossil fuel... Read More

GE Energy launches Power Conversion business

GE Energy has shared its next step in the integration of its acquisition of Converteam by renaming the business Power Conversion. The company says Power Conversion’s technologies in process controls, automation systems and high-efficiency power electronics, motors and generators will better meet customer needs by improving operational efficiency and productivity. Power Conversion will help GE expand its presence in energy efficiency, electrification and automation.Power... Read More

Solar Policy: Solyndra Attacks Are Already Starting

So I’m sitting on my couch with my wife, watching the morning weather forecast and enjoying my coffee, when this … thing comes across my TV during a commercial break:This is the third of fourth morning in a row that I’ve had my quiet time with my beloved spoiled with an ad that is dishonest, overblown and ridiculous (I’ve already spoken about this cooked up Solyndra scandal on a couple of occasions and criticized anyone who uses Solyndra as a metaphor... Read More

Solar Components

Manufacturer offers “Buy American” solar inverters

Solar inverter manufacturer SMA America offers certain Sunny Central models for commercial and utility-scale projects requiring compliance with the “Buy American” clause in the American Reconstruction and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Currently, the full Sunny Central Compact Power (CP) line—which includes 500-800 kilowatt inverters—and the Sunny Central 500HE-US (assembled in Denver, Colorado) meet the [...]

Inverters

Manufacturer offers “Buy American” solar inverters

Solar inverter manufacturer SMA America offers certain Sunny Central models for commercial and utility-scale projects requiring compliance with the “Buy American” clause in the American Reconstruction and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Currently, the full Sunny Central Compact Power (CP) line—which includes 500-800 kilowatt inverters—and the Sunny Central 500HE-US (assembled in Denver, Colorado) meet the [...]

Projects

Pepco buys Solar Decathlon winner for public education

WaterShed, the international-prize-winning solar house built by University of Maryland students, faculty and professional partners, has found a buyer and a permanent site: Electric service provider Pepco is purchasing the high-tech building, and plans to locate it at one of its facilities in Montgomery County, Maryland. The purchase secures WaterShed’s future and will make its [...]

Racking and Mounting

Westinghouse Solar Publishes White Paper On Solar Power Mounting

Westinghouse Solar, a designer and manufacturer of solar power systems, published a White Paper entitled: “The Revolution in Solar Power Mounting Systems.” This White Paper details the financial, engineering and customer benefits of rooftop solar power systems that have integrated racking, wiring and grounding, including those from Westinghouse Solar and Zep Solar. The White Paper [...]