The market for solar PV design software has opened up significantly in the past five years. New offerings have taken off in that time, and they range from fully integrated systems offering one-stop functionality, to niche services that are hyper-focused on one segment of the design process.   [...]

On Wednesday July 12 in San Francisco, U.S. clean energy organizations including American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Wind Energy Foundation (WEF) and NEXTracker gathered to launch Renewable Energy Jobs Communications Campaign. This campaign steering committee, working in partnership with The Solar Foundation, Advanced Energy Economy and VoteSolar, will organize a series of approximately two dozen events over 18 months in targeted locations across [...]

The stars are aligned for a breakthrough of small-scale solar energy in urban areas. This could completely change the world, the planet's source of energy generation and save the environment. [...]

This year’s somewhat smaller, but seemingly more intense Intersolar North America trade show held in San Francisco this week featured a wide array of innovative solar tracking, racking and mounting solutions. While offerings by new and old players from around the world include many fresh design and feature developments, here are a few of the standouts. [...]

With hundreds of solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) providers in the world, deciding who is going to build their multi-million-dollar solar farm, is not something developers take lightly.  [...]

On Tuesday June 11 Gov. John Hickenlooper signed an Executive Order committing the state to climate action. The full text is available here. The press relase regarding the Exectuive Order is below: “Coloradans value clean air and clean water. Our strong economy is a reflection of how our exhilarating outdoors attracts young entrepreneurs and the talent they need for their businesses,” said Governor John Hickenlooper. “The vast majority of our residents, and indeed the country, expect us t [...]

As the private sector increasingly takes on the task of installing solar PV in China, growth is happening quickly. Last year China installed more solar capacity than any other country in the world at 34 GW, beating the US's 14 GW and Europe's 6.9 GW. [...]

As pressure to decrease photovoltaic solar power plant operating expenses, solar asset owners are looking for the best ways to find savings while avoiding risks to equipment performance and longevity.  [...]

BlackRock Inc. exceeded a $1 billion fundraising target for wind and solar investments for its latest global clean energy fund, underscoring investor interest in renewable energy amid policy uncertainty in key markets. [...]

Ideal Power has teamed up with Azimuth Energy and Wright Architects to retrofit a building in rural New York with a solar-plus-storage microgrid for backup power during grid outages. [...]

In late June, solar energy stakeholders in New Hampshire rejoiced when the public utilities commission (PUC) released new order effectively removing the solar net-metering cap in the state.   The new order allows all customers with systems of <100kW to receive a monthly excess export bill credit up to 100 percent of the energy and transmission costs and 25 percent of the distribution services. Customers will still be required to pay non-bypassable charges such as the system benefits char [...]

Summit Ridge Energy, a new solar company led by former employees of bankrupt SunEdison Inc., obtained funding to build, finance and acquire solar power plants across the U.S. [...]

This document provides a recap of Xcel’s recent solar stakeholder meeting, which included topics on Solar*Rewards, Solar Connect, and other items.     The post Recap from Xcel’s Solar Stakeholder Meeting 6/27 appeared first on Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association. [...]

Researchers have developed a solar paint that can absorb water vapour and split it to generate hydrogen — the cleanest source of energy. [...]

Post Date: June 28, 2017 Job Title: Director of Curriculum and Instruction Location:  Remote Position Target Hire Date: Applications due July 21, 2017, with a start date of approximately early September To Apply:  Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three references letter in one combined PDF to *protected email* Vision of Curriculum and Instruction Department SEI’s mission is to provide industry-leading technical training and expertise in renewable energy to empower people, communi [...]

There’s another solar trade war brewing and if the US solar manufacturing companies that have brought it to the forefront are successful, it’s estimated that up to $.78 per watt could be added to solar panel costs in the United States. For background, earlier this spring, bankrupt Georgia-based manufacturer Suniva filed a complaint about its inability to compete with cheap solar imports from Asia. In May, SolarWorld became a co-petitioner. The U.S. International Trade Commission should rule [...]

In April, solar reached a new milestone, providing more than 2.3 percent of U.S. electrical supply, according to the latest issue of the U.S. Energy Information's (EIA) Electric Power Monthly, with data through April 30, 2017. Consequently, solar has now moved into third place among renewable sources — behind hydropower and wind but ahead of biomass and geothermal. [...]

Concentrating solar power (CSP) has existed since 1866, but for the last couple of decades, photovoltaic (PV) has been the dominant solar technology. Now with technological advancements and energy storage, CSP is poised to make a significant comeback.  [...]

On June 23, 2017, Black Hills will issue a request for proposal for up to 60 megawatts of eligible energy resources in Phase II of its 2016 Electric Resource Plan (2016 ERP). Black Hills is conducting this competitive bid to determine if it can acquire eligible energy resources that will save customers money and renewable energy credits for compliance with Colorado’s Renewable Energy Standard.  The solicitation will be completed on-line at bheerrfp.accionpower.com. Black Hills will host a web [...]

Post Date: June 22, 2017 Job Title: SolarCorps Fellowship Program Construction Fellow Location:  Denver, CO and Nationwide Target Hire Date: Immediate To Apply: Submit both a resume and cover letter online at www.gridalternatives.org/work-at-grid*protected email*(No Calls Please) About the SolarCorps Fellowship Program: GRID Alternatives’ SolarCorps Fellowship Program is an opportunity for highly motivated and enthusiastic people to join GRID Alternatives for thirteen months. Fellows will ga [...]

Post Date: June 22, 2017 Job Title: SolarCorps Outreach Fellow Location:  Denver, CO Target Hire Date: Immediate To Apply: Submit both a resume and cover letter online at www.gridalternatives.org/work-at-grid*protected email*(No Calls Please) About the SolarCorps Fellowship Program: GRID Alternatives’ SolarCorps Fellowship Program is an opportunity for highly motivated and enthusiastic people to join GRID Alternatives for thirteen months. Fellows will gain valuable experience in the solar an [...]

Shares of solar manufacturers rose sharply Thursday after President Donald Trump told supporters that mounting solar PV panels atop his proposed Mexican border wall would allow the project to pay for itself. [...]

Fully identifying and understanding real life cycle solar PV costs creates a challenge; while not addressing those costs in detail accurately and dramatically, increases project risk. The probability that one can effectively cut costs without clearly understanding what the underlying costs are, is exceptionally low. [...]

  A solar trade case pending before the International Trade Commission poses significant risks to the entire U.S. solar industry, believes the Solar Energy Industries Association. A petition was filed by Suniva, a Chinese-owned solar company that has filed for bankruptcy,and supported by SolarWorld, a German-owned solar company. They  are requesting that the federal government impose tariffs on imported solar cells and establish minimum prices on imported solar panels. SEIA estimates that [...]