Hello solar enthusiasts,
Today’s blog post is set to light up your life as I delve into the latest trends and happenings in the solar industry. Whether you’re seeking “solar panels for your home” or you’re just interested in the broader “solar” landscape, read on for all you need to know.
Firstly, let’s turn our attention to the exciting news that the Connecticut Green Bank has earmarked a whopping $100 million for solar and storage projects. This move is a fantastic boon for the development of renewable energy infrastructure not just for “solar companies” but for municipalities, the commercial sector, and the state at large.
Community solar is another sector showing immense potential as per Arcadia’s first insightful report on the subject. The report observes that an incredibly bright future awaits community solar. Why? A combination of strengthened state programs, the implementation of federal legislation, and billions of dollars flowing into “solar company”-run projects. Solar is certainly not just for the affluent—these projects will create opportunities for all income levels to tap into clean, renewable energy.
In other news, Nikola is generating buzz by opening its first hydrogen refuelling station in SoCal for heavy-duty vehicles. The grand plan is to construct up to 60 hydrogen fueling stations over the next couple of years. However, it’s not all sunshine and roses in the solar arena. REC Silicon, for instance, has had to close shop on its polysilicon business in Montana due to local structural imbalances in electricity supply and demand.
Massachusetts is also inching towards a more sustainable future. Onyx Renewables and Qcells have entered a partnership to work on solar-plus-storage projects. These community solar projects will grow under the nurturing influence of the Massachusetts SMART program and the state’s Clean Peak Energy Standard initiative.
On the tech front, CubicPV has decided to halt its U.S. solar silicon wafer factory plans. The company now aims to concentrate on the production of perovskite tandem modules. This goes to show that the solar field is not just about “solar panels for your home” but encompasses a wide range of technologies and innovations.
Last but not least, let’s discuss the surprising solar rebound effect in residential PV. International researchers have discovered that resources like a “solar array for home” usage could result in unexpected reductions in gains due to behavioural or systemic changes. This could happen in any country where the policy that supports solar power isn’t sufficiently and scientifically explained.
In closing, no matter what your connection to the solar movement, it’s clear the industry is in a state of exciting evolution. Whether it’s a broadscale solar company resurgence, building a personal solar array for home electricity, or investigating the most effective way to implement solar policies for maximum gain, the sun, it seems, is just beginning to rise. Stay tuned for more insights in the field of solar power.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/02/09/sunrise-brief-rec-silicon-to-shut-down-polysilicon-business-in-montana/