Solar Power World

Project Review: The Home of the Future is Here Now

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... 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... 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... Read More

AlsoEnergy Monitors PV Project of PV Distinction Award Winner

Accepting award are: Robert Schaeffer, AlsoEnergy; Jonathan Postal, Main Street Power; Rex Stepp, APS; Lori Stofft, AWC; Bruce Mercy, PPA Partners; and David Lincoln, Rosendin Electric. A 23-acre solar installation at Arizona Western College (AWC) in Yuma, Ariz. being monitored for performance by AlsoEnergy was recently recognized with the PV Project of Distinction award at PV... Read More

World’s Largest Aperture Parabolic Trough Installation

3M’s Renewable Energy Division has teamed with Gossamer Space Frames to unveil a new parabolic trough solar collector technology designed to significantly reduce equipment and installation costs for CSP systems used in power generation. The Large Aperture Trough 73 (LAT 73) features a concentration factor of over 100x and an aperture size of 7.3 m, both world benchmarks for the... Read More

ABB Plans A Photovoltaic Plant for SunEdison

Power and automation company ABB is teaming up with SunEdison to build a photovoltaic system at the Apex Industrial Park in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The 24.8-MW PV plant will supply clean renewable solar power to Nevada Energy from an array of 87,168 solar modules covering an area of 154 acres on private land, equivalent to approximately 116 football fields. The PV power plant is... Read More

Walmart Wants 100% Renewable Power

Although Walmart is often accused of being an unethical employer and a cruel competitor, you have to admit it’s use of green energy is impressive. The company is the third-largest user of green energy in the nation and plans to have all of its power come from renewable energy one day. Even with its questionable practices, one thing we can say for Walmart is that its a great... Read More

San Francisco Giants Go Solar

Korean PV manufacturer Hanwha Solar has partnered with the San Francisco Giants to “increase Bay Area awareness of environmental responsibility while contributing to youth in the community.” As the official solar partner, Hanwha Solar will launch a green initiative campaign named “I SUN SF,” which will build on the Giants’ legacy of environmental responsibility.... Read More

Missouri Baseball Teams Go Solar

UPDATED APRIL 16 to reflect whose panels were used in the St. Louis project — SCHOTT Solar. Missouri’s two Major League Baseball (MLB) teams have recently scored renewable energy projects. Both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals have installed solar panels that were up and running when the 2012 season opened. At Busch Stadium in St. Louis, home of the 2011 World... Read More

Detecting Arc Faults

SolarBOS says it’s offering the industry’s first working arc-fault and ground-fault detection and interruption combiner box, as well as a ground fault interruption for PV systems. The AFDI combiner allows system integrators to meet the letter of the 2011 National Electric Code in a cost-effective and reliable manner. The combiner box has a module that detects series arcs and... Read More

Project Review: Stimulating Schools With Solar In California

  JMC Steel Group’s Atlas Tube division was able to work through PDM Steel to provide 1,200 tons of large-size HSS squares and rectangles to for use in the steel columns of the solar carports. By leveraging its resources and relationships, JMC Steel delivered the order on time, despite a tight schedule. –photo courtesy of SRVUSD Utilities are often school districts’ second... Read More

Guardian Delivers Mirrors For World’s Largest Solar Thermal Plant

Guardian Industries announced that the company’s EcoGuard Solar Boost mirrors are being installed at the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System (ISEGS) in California’s Mojave Desert. The project, a partnership between NRG Solar (a subsidiary of NRG Energy), Google and BrightSource Energy, will nearly double the amount of solar thermal energy produced in the U.S. today.... Read More

Rooftop Solar Program Wins Approval From L.A. City Council

The Los Angeles City Council cleared the way for the launch of an innovative rooftop solar-energy program, approving a measure to allow the Department of Water and Power (DWP) to move forward with the groundbreaking CLEAN LA Solar program. The CLEAN LA Solar program will allow local property owners to sell solar power generated from rooftops and parking lots back to the DWP, using... Read More

Arizona Partners Will Build First-Ever Solar Facility On State Land

Arizona’s State Land Department and Arizona Public Service are working in coordination to build the first-ever solar project on Arizona State Trust lands. Nearly 400 acres in Yuma County will soon be home to the 35 MW APS Foothills Solar Plant. The cost to APS for a 35-year lease on the land is $10 million, which will go primarily to help fund Arizona public education. The unprecedented... Read More

Joule Energy Installs Large 28 KW Solar System on Its Warehouse

Joule Energy, an integrator of high-efficiency solar systems, is installing a large 28 KW solar system on its primary business location. The system illustrates the design of a working installation, serves as a training tool and significantly reduces the operating cost of Joule’s facilities. “As a solar contractor, the choice to put solar on our own roof was a no-brainer,”... Read More