Solar Tech News - RenewableEnergyWorld.com

Moniz Unanimously Confirmed As New DOE Chief

James Montgomery, Associate Editor, RenewableEnergyWorld.com — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:55:25 GMT

Ernie Moniz has been unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the next Secretary of Energy, in a 97-0 vote (with three nonvoters). He succeeds Stephen Chu who held the position for four years.

Solar PV Inverter Giant SMA Cutting Workforce Amid Sales Slide

James Montgomery, Associate Editor, RenewableEnergyWorld.com — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:02:25 GMT

Global inverter leader SMA AG cast a downward glance in its fiscal 1Q13 results today, and is preparing for what could be major layoffs in the face of the global PV market's first decline in many years.

US Solar PV Manufacturer Suniva Plans Expansion

James Montgomery, Associate Editor, RenewableEnergyWorld.com — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

It's been a tough several years for solar PV manufacturing. The common refrain has been that Chinese competition has undercut solar cells and modules made elsewhere to the point of market instability. That's why the U.S. laid out penalties on Chinese solar imports last year, and why Europe is positioning to do so now.

Energy Expert Predicts Solar Could Upend Major Utility in California on Price

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:09:00 GMT

Based on the falling costs of solar and rising electric prices, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), one of the largest utilities in the country that serves northern California, may not be able to compete with residential solar soon. That’s according to a recent piece at think tank, The Energy Collective by energy expert Douglas Short, President of Exas

Solar Fred's Guide to Positive Yelp Solar Installer Reviews

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:43:00 GMT

Whether you're in the solar business or any consumer-facing business, you can’t ignore Yelp today or in the foreseeable future. First of all, it won't ever go away, and it's only getting stronger. In fact, it’s even more important now in the age of “Siri,” Apple’s voice-activated concierge for the iPhone. If someone asks Siri, “Who are the best sol

Connecticut Seeks to Literally Water Down its RPS, Could it Happen in Your Region?

Jennifer Runyon, Managing Editor, RenewableEnergyWorld.com — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:07:46 GMT

Since I live in New Hampshire and write about the global renewable energy industry, once in a while small local news that might appear to be of minor importance to my neighbors leaps out at me as something that could end up having a huge impact on the renewable energy industry.

UPDATE: EU-China Solar Trade War Entering Endgame?

James Montgomery, Associate Editor, RenewableEnergyWorld.com — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:01:00 GMT

The European Commission has decided to recommend duties on Chinese solar panels up to 67.9 percent, according to reports from multiple sources.

Solar Photovoltaic Wafer Production Forecast to Grow 19% in 2013

Charles Annis, Vice President at NPD Solarbuzz — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

After falling 15 percent in 2012, solar photovoltaic wafer production is forecast to grow 19 percent in 2013, passing 30 GW and recovering to the 2011 level, according to the latest NPD Solarbuzz Polysilicon and Wafer Supply Chain Quarterly. However, industry utilization is expected to remain below 60 percent, and while prices have stopped falling, no significant increases are expected, so profitability for wafer makers will remain challenging.

Solar Mosaic Fills the Gaps for Solar-Free Solar Industry People — Like Me

Wed, 08 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT

I know a lot of passionate people in the solar industry who don’t actually own a solar system, and I’m one of them. On the surface, that may appear hypocritical when you make a living telling people how affordable solar is. “If it’s so affordable, why don’t you own it?” they ask. When you explain that it’s (currently) not physically possible to own

When Will Solar Batteries Become Economical?

Sascha Rentzing, Contributor — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

It's always the same problem: You save energy but the electricity bills are still getting more expensive. Luckily, there is a solution: Solar power can be generated in Germany for 12 cents per kilowatt hour. In contrast, utilities currently charge an average of 25 cents for domestic electricity. What better reason to invest into your own photovoltaic system? Solar storage systems can increase on-site consumption by up to 70 percent. They absorb surplus solar power and pass on the energy as required — expensive grid power is hardly necessary. This makes the systems very attractive for consumers: According to an EuPD Research survey, almost 90 percent of solar operators are already thinking about buying an additional storage system.

The Need for Reliable Solar Power at Sea

Ray Thackeray, Executive Director, International Rescue Group — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

In light of recent at-sea power failures on major cruise liners, smaller vessels are tuning into the need to ensure their own systems are dependable and won't strand crews and passengers at sea. Reliable and efficient power is vital on any size or type of boat or ship, but it's too often overlooked in efforts to keep costs down. Installing power redundancy and marine-grade power systems safeguards boaters from discomfort, danger and marred reputations that can result from on-board power outages.

EU Debate Over Climate Change Policy Could Dampen Renewable Energy Growth

Ewa Krukowska and Alex Morales, Bloomberg — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:39:31 GMT

Europe's program to halt climate change is in disarray with lawmakers in the region expressing concern the drift is undermining the planet's most significant effort to combat global warming.

Solar PV Module Rankings in 2012, And What Comes Next

James Montgomery, Associate Editor, RenewableEnergyWorld.com — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:28:39 GMT

The gap between PV supply and demand narrowed slightly in 2012, but overcapacity will continue to weigh on the industry for the next several years, even with optimistic outlooks, according to new industry analyst reports.

America's Real Problem with Solar Energy

Ter Dines, Honeycomb Solar — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Each day, our industry sits down and whittles the unsightly knots off the tree we call solar energy. We, as a group, spend more time than we should pointing to one of a growing number of reasons why solar energy isn't taking hold in America: that perhaps our government incentives were cut too quickly, that our state's SREC program is broken, that the net metering requirements aren't strong enough.

Massachusetts Resets Its Solar Energy Bar, Four Years Early

James Montgomery, Associate Editor, RenewableEnergyWorld.com — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:41:35 GMT

Solar installations in Massachusetts topped 135 MW in 2012, and through April of this year another 30 MW was installed. This week, on May 1, the state achieved a milestone: 250 MW of installed solar capacity, fulfilling a goal set by Governor Deval Patrick's administration — a goal that was expected to be achieved four years from now.

Distributed Energy Storage Benefits on Both Sides of the Meter

Thu, 02 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Solar and wind are excellent sources of clean, renewable energy, but as they contribute a larger share to the generation fleet, their integration will become increasingly challenging. The reason: solar and wind cannot be dispatched in the same way as other sources of energy, such as nuclear, hydro, and fossil fuels. Because the grid must operate “j

Latin America Report: Thinking Big About Clean Energy and Climate Change

Renewable Energy World Editors — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:07:36 GMT

Virtually eliminating the carbon footprint from Latin America's power sector by 2050 would require $66 billion in annual investments, with spending on renewable energy making up half that amount, according to a new report analyzing full "climate stabilization" in the region.

2013 Solar Industry Trends: A Look at US Geographical Markets

Wed, 01 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Trends in the geography of solar development are determined by three primary drivers: solar insolation (the quantity of sunlight during the year), local electricity rates (the higher the rate the better) and local regulatory and incentive programs. Good projects are found where bountiful solar resources, costly electricity rates, and generous incen

Verizon to Invest $100 Million in U.S. Solar and Fuel Cells

Justin Doom, Bloomberg — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:49:17 GMT

Verizon Communications Inc., the second-largest U.S. phone company, plans to spend $100 million on solar systems and fuel cells to power 19 U.S. facilities.

Rooftop Solar Seen Protecting U.S. Power Grid From Attack

Christopher Martin, Bloomberg — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:00:00 GMT

The U.S. power grid is vulnerable to terrorist attacks, and the growing use of rooftop solar panels will provide protection against lengthy blackouts, the chairman of the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said.