Today’s topics include U.S. President Trump’s official proclamation that he is imposing 25 percent tariffs on steel and 10 percent tariffs on aluminum and how they will affect all facets of the energy industry, including solar companies. We also touch on the now-becoming-more official JinkoSolar manufacturing plant. There is still no official announcement that they are building something that will manufacture solar modules in the U.S. however JinkoSolar is named in legislation recently filed [...]

Solar PV saw its lowest levelized cost of energy (LCOE) — 1.78 US cents/kWh — in a bidding contest in October 2017 to Saudi Arabia's first 300 MWp utility-scale solar PV Plant in Sakakah.  [...]

The University of Hawai'i Maui College says it will be capable of generating 100 percent of its energy from on-site solar PV systems coupled with battery storage next year. The effort is part of a goal for the 10-campus UH system to be net-zero by 2035. [...]

The 2017 Solar Census highlighted job growth in the Colorado market, which now boasts over 6,000 solar workers. Colorado ranks 9th nationally in solar job numbers. More information on the Colorado market can be found on this fact sheet.   The post 2017 Solar Census Highlights Job Growth in Colorado appeared first on Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association. [...]

On Tuesday March 26, Lockheed Martin and Cypress Creek Renewables announced that they commissioned 12 MWh of Lockheed Martin’s GridStar lithium energy storage systems for 12 solar-plus-storage projects. The solar-plus-storage system will provide clean electricity to communities served by Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) in southeastern North Carolina.   [...]

Microsoft Corp. yesterday said that it made the largest corporate purchase of solar in the U.S. from two projects in Virginia. According to the company, it will buy 315 MW from the Pleinmont I and II solar projects, which are part of sPower’s larger 500-MW Pleinmont project. sPower is an AES and AIMCo company.   [...]

A simple potassium solution could boost the efficiency of next-generation solar cells, by enabling them to convert more sunlight into electricity. An international team of researchers led by the University of Cambridge found that the addition of potassium iodide 'healed' the defects and immobilised ion movement, which to date have limited the efficiency of cheap perovskite solar cells. [...]

In this minicast, France and India host the founding summit of the International Solar Alliance, and French President Emmanuel Macron says France’s total commitment to solar deployment through 2022 will reach 1 billion euros. [...]

M-Kopa, the Kenyan pay-per-use solar power provider, is downsizing in a bid to improve its competitiveness, ensure long-term sustainability, and increase return for investors. The Nairobi-headquartered company said it laid off more than 150 of its over 1,000 staff members as part of a company-wide restructuring that took place at the end of 2017. [...]

Sunrun Inc., the largest U.S. residential-solar company, is seeking about $500 million to fund more rooftop-power systems, according to people familiar with the company’s plans. [...]

A global coalition aimed at supporting the use of solar power is expected to announce a slew of projects worth about $700 million during its inaugural conference this weekend in New Delhi, according to government officials familiar with the matter. The International Solar Alliance, an initiative launched at the Paris climate talks in 2015, plans to unveil 20 projects in as many countries during the event on March 11, said the officials, asking not to be identified as the information isn’t publ [...]

Post Date: March 1, 2018 Job Title: Commercial and Residential Sales Representative Location:  Hotchkiss, CO To Apply: Send cover letter and resume to *protected email* Job Description Empowered Energy Systems is looking for a lead sales representative for commercial and residential sales to support our company development. The ideal candidate will have solar sales and installation/technical experience, have excellent communication skills, and be able to work independently. The primary respo [...]

In April 2017, Wilbur Ross, the U.S. Commerce Secretary, began an investigation into steel and aluminum imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion act of 1962. Ross made a variety of tariff recommendations to Mr. Trump including 24 percent tariffs on steel imports from all countries, 53 percent tariffs on steel imports from Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, India, Malaysia, South Korea, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam or cuts in imports of 37 percent from all countries. [...]

The growth of consumer purchases of solar power via community-based systems is accelerating throughout the Southeast as more utilities develop or roll out offerings. [...]

As the solar industry works to adjust to solar tariffs set by the Trump Administration in January on imports of crystalline silicon PV cells, the industry must now consider other possible new tariffs that could affect solar’s supply side. [...]

Missouri-based Greenbacker Renewable Energy Co. has purchased six operational solar facilities in California and Colorado with a total generating capacity of 10 MW. [...]

Did you know there are alternatives to standard silicon solar panels? Or that someday soon, you might be able install a solar panel that is 50 percent more efficient than the average silicon PV solar panel? [...]

Early estimates from SolarPower Europe show that Europe installed about 8.6 GW of solar power systems in 2017, a 28 percent increase over systems installed in 2016. [...]

A 50-year old company has a solution to provide clean drinking water and power for regions that were hard-hit by the hurricanes last fall. Aldelano Solar Cold Chain solutions is providing off-grid refrigeration, water generation and power generation equipment to Antiqua, Barbuda and the British Virgin Islands.   [...]

By connecting off-grid solar-powered systems to the cloud, a city or utility official can monitor, control and manage street lights, telecom systems, security cameras, and other critical infrastructure from a smartphone — anywhere, anytime.  [...]

Countries and entities negatively affected by solar tariffs set by the Trump Administration in January on imports of crystalline silicon PV cells are beginning to seek redress — with the latest action taking the form of a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade. [...]

Last year, COSEIA worked hard in the state legislature to get a bill passed to extend and strengthen the Fair Permit Act. This caps solar permit fees at $500 for residential projects and $1,000 for commercial projects. But we have heard many cities are charging more. We have posted a letter for you to use if you are having problems with a city. Simply download the letter and present it. Let us know of your experiences by writing us at *protected email*. The Fair Permit Act Letter Can Be Found [...]

Natural gas is getting edged out of power markets across the U.S. by two energy sources that, together, are proving to be an unbeatable mix: solar and batteries. [...]

Vestas Wind Systems A/S will offer solar power and storage, allowing the world’s biggest turbine maker to sell hybrid renewable plants that generate electricity around the clock. [...]