Hello my passionate solar enthusiasts! Today, I’m thrilled to share some exciting updates from the world of solar. We’ve seen some incredible progress in areas ranging from solar radiation levels to breakthroughs in solar tracker technology. Hold onto your seats because the future of solar is here and it’s brighter than ever!
Let’s begin by talking about irradiance, the measure of solar power that is incident on a surface. 2023 was an exceptional year for irradiance, with reports showing an impressive increase of 10% or more above long-term trends in large regions. These regions included Western and Northern Europe, Eurasia, a great deal of China, Southern Australia, and the Midwestern and Southern U.S., as well as Central and a majority of South America. This is fantastic news for solar companies and homeowners looking to install solar panels for your home, as areas with higher irradiance levels typically see more productivity from their solar arrays.
Next, I want to highlight a significant advancement from Array Technologies. This solar company has announced a dual-row solar tracker upgrade. The new capabilities of the STI H250 make this tracker an excellent choice for utility-scale solar projects, especially those built on hilly or uneven terrains. And it doesn’t stop there – agrivoltaic installations are also set to benefit from this advancement. For those who might not know, agrivoltaics is a game-changing approach that combines agriculture and photovoltaics (solar power) to increase land efficiency.
In the transportation realm, an intriguing dual-use solar snow fence experiment is underway. Spearheaded by the Minnesota department of Transportation, this endeavor is looking at pairing electricity production with snowdrift barriers to protect roads – an excellent example of how solar panels for your home are not the only uses of this groundbreaking technology.
Unfortunately, not all solar news is sunny. A recent bill in Washington, called The Fair Access to Community Solar Act, aimed to reinforce the state’s community solar program, faced opposition from utilities. This unfortunate setback means supporters of the Act and fans of community solar projects will need to wait a bit longer for progress.
Lastly, a solar-propelled electric vehicle (EV) developer, Aptera, has successfully crowdfunded a whopping $33 million! The innovative new EV offers a remarkable 400 miles of battery range, but that’s not all. This vehicle can also notch up 40 miles of solar-generated range per day, pointing towards a future where a solar array for home isn’t the only means to tap into the power of the sun.
Stay tuned to my blog as I continue to explore the fast-paced world of solar, sharing the latest developments, tips, and advice on making the most of this clean, renewable energy source. Whether you’re looking to join the ranks of solar companies or are considering solar panels for your home, I’m here to help shed light on your solar journey.
Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/02/05/sunrise-brief-utility-opposition-stymies-fair-access-to-community-solar-act-in-washington/
