Hello, fellow solar enthusiasts!
In my latest solar industry update, we’ll cover a variety of noteworthy happenings. These span from exciting solar panel efficiencies, potential impacts of the coming 2024 solar eclipse, to the latest ventures of Walmart in the realm of solar energy. As a fanatic of solar science, I’m always thrilled to learn of the latest advancements and I hope you are too!
Plus, this is an opportunity to learn more about solar options if you’re considering installing solar panels for your home. Understanding the industry helps make informed decisions, especially when choosing among a multitude of solar companies.
To start, I’d like to highlight the innovative work of researchers who have repurposed a common chemical used in water treatment facilities. They’ve used this chemical to develop an iron-based redox flow battery for large-scale energy storage. Impressive to know that their lab-scale battery managed to maintain 98.7% of its original capacity over one thousand consecutive charging cycles!
Moving on, have you ever considered how a solar eclipse affects solar energy production? As we look to the 2024 solar eclipse, grid operators will need to compensate for potential loss of solar energy. During the 2017 and 2023 eclipses, grid operators had to rely on other energy sources to maintain the stability of the grid.
Next, let’s talk about solar panel efficiency. Maxeon, a leading solar company, has claimed a whopping 24.9% efficiency rating for their IBC solar panel named Maxeon 7. The great news is this rating was confirmed by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory! If you’re scouting for solar panels for your home, this update sets a new benchmark in solar panel efficiency to look out for.
Moving from individual residences to corporate giants: meet Walmart, making strides in solar adoption. The retailer has entered multiple new agreements across the U.S. with solar developers, ensuring their position as a corporate leader in solar energy.
At a community level, the California Public Utilities Commission faced opposition from the Community Solar group, accusing the commission of having a “myopic view”. The community solar projects, as envisioned by the legislature with the enactment of AB 2316, are reportedly not going to become a reality with the current decisions of the Commission.
There’s more good news, folks! According to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s staff report, solar, wind, and battery storage constituted almost 95% of the capacity in transmission interconnection queues as of year-end 2023.
Finally, popular houseware store, Home Depot, has decided to dip into solar services. They’ve initiated a partnership with Sunnova, making them the exclusive solar provider at Home Depot stores. Over 2,000 locations will host Sunnova representatives, helping customers kickstart their inquiries into solar, storage and home energy management.
Whether it’s a shiny new solar array for home or understanding the bigger picture of solar in our global energy landscape, keeping up with the latest in the solar industry is always worthwhile. From technological advancements to policy decisions, everything influences us as consumers and citizens. Sun-fueled cheers to staying informed and paving our way to a more sustainable future!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/03/27/sunrise-brief-walmart-makes-big-commitments-to-solar-energy/
