As 2024 ends, we must reflect on our work covering the U.S. solar industry from the last year. The previous 12 months have held an anticipatory air about the future of solar technologies and project development, as federal agencies handed down more guidance for the subsidies fueling record growth in domestic solar; as the residential market reeled from a huge blow to its historically strongest state; as legal battles were waged and settled between competing manufacturers; as trade duties lingered over crucial solar components; and now, as we await a returning president who hasn’t been keen on solar and renewables in general.
There has been a lot to read about solar in 2024, so we’ve compiled a handful of stories from ourselves and industry contributors that you might have missed but still deserve your attention. Thank you for reading and sticking with us for all these years. We’re preparing some new, exciting things to be revealed in 2025, and we’re gearing up for another year of the thorough coverage you can expect from Solar Power World.
Some stories worth your time
The responsible solar supply chain
Ensuring compliance with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act is crucial to avoid shipping delays at the border and keep projects on schedule. This story about SEIA’s new ethical supply chain standard can help companies partner with the most responsible manufacturers.
What the latest FCC ruling means for solar lead generation
An FCC ruling from early 2024 that has major implications for how solar sales companies conduct their business is set to take effect next month.
Government and industry take aim at shady solar sales practices
Bad apples and shady fly-by-night companies are not uncommon in newer industries like residential solar, but now the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) is getting involved to protect consumers and keep companies in line.
Financiers—not homeowners—qualify for domestic content on residential solar
Residential solar projects are eligible for the domestic content bonus credit found in the Inflation Reduction Act, but the recipient of that adder must be the entity issuing third-party ownership of the project. In fewer words, the financier arranging a lease or a power purchase agreement receive the subsidy, not the homeowner.
‘I lived it’: Litigator provides his perspective on solar warranty claims
Professional litigator Todd Heffner recently disputed two separate warranty claims on solar components and contributed this feature to provide practical advice for solar project owners to better prepare for making warranty claims for malfunctioning hardware.
Is the commercial solar gold rush upon us?
The small- to medium-sized commercial solar market has drifted behind large commercial and utility-scale but may be catching up with new tax incentives and financing options.
Freedom Forever’s electrical apprenticeship program receives federal approval
Freedom Forever was the first residential solar company to achieve Dept. of Labor certification for an electrical apprenticeship program. The Registered Apprenticeship Program aligns with DOL standards to offer training in residential electrical systems, solar energy, battery storage and electric vehicle integration.
Rural Americans will make or break the clean energy transition
Rural America is rife with anti-solar sentiments and NIMBY-ism, but this region’s involvement will be necessary if the United States plans to meet its renewable energy deployment goals. Scott Laeser with the Rural Climate Partnership, a resident of rural America, authored an Op-Ed about the trials of gaining acceptance for renewable energy in communities that are hesitant to accept the technology.
Additionally, we’ve published our Top 10 most read stories from 2024, which you can read here.
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