Hello, fellow solar enthusiasts! There are so many exciting updates in the solar world I’m thrilled to share with you today. The industry is on fire with advancements for solar companies, which are delivering promising results for those of you who are considering solar panels for your home.
First up, news just broke that the Green Bank network’s total investment in 2023 has a projected reach of a staggering $10 billion — that’s a massive 52% increase from what we saw in 2022. These numbers come from preliminary reports provided by the Coalition for Green Capital and show the soaring interest in clean energy projects and technologies. The message is clear; sustainable sources of energy are being widely recognized as the way forward, and solar is at the forefront of this shift.
In other news, there’s a new product on the block that adds more value to residential solar arrays for homes. Anker’s state-of-the-art home energy storage system has made its debut in the North American market. The all-new Anker X1 is weather-resistant and has an impressive operational range from -4 F to 131 F, truly built for any climate. Anker claims that it offers 100% power output without derating.
Another major highlight is the game-changing move by Nextracker, a leading solar company that has managed to cut the carbon footprint of their solar trackers by a whopping 35%. This is achieved via the innovative use of recycled steel and electric furnaces in the creation process. Their low carbon option emphasizes solar solutions’ ethical responsibility to not only harness clean energy but also minimize carbon-intensive materials during product manufacturing.
In international news, Australian battery materials company, Sicona, announced plans to develop its first commercial manufacturing plant in the United States. This objective aligns with their ambitious goal to become the largest global producer of silicon-carbon battery materials. Once this is achieved, we can expect to see a significant boost in the solar industry with cost-effective and efficient storage solutions being more readily available.
Lastly, I need to talk about the lawsuits filed by Maxeon against REC and Hanwha Qcells for alleged patent infringements. Maxeon alleges these two manufacturers have made unlawful use of an unspecified tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cell technology. This lawsuit underlines the intense competition within the solar industry, hinting at the continuous evolution of solar technologies.
In a call to action, approximately 200 solar and energy storage companies have urged Congress to address and restructure clean energy bottlenecks ahead of the 2024 election. These businesses stressed the need for reforms in siting, permitting, and transmission to ensure a smoother path towards a more sustainable future.
The solar industry is constantly innovating, offering countless opportunities for those interested in solar. Be it solar companies developing more efficient solar panels for your home, or making your solar array for home more effective with an energy storage system, the future of solar is incredibly promising. Keep checking back for more exciting updates in the solar industry – there’s always something new under the sun!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/04/24/sunrise-brief-maxeon-sues-rec-hanwha-qcells-for-alleged-topcon-patent-infringement/