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Solar PV News
- Thread starter mspohr
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Interesting article about the potential (sic) for perovskites
Making fudge with the smartest people on earth
Making fudge with the smartest people on earth
Too late?
After betting on fossils & losing big, GE & BlackRock turn to solar
General Electric (GE) is not one of the companies that is associated with a serious embrace of the energy transition, and for good reason. While GE is one of the world’s largest makers of wind turbines, its much larger GE Power division invested deeply in building, installing and maintaining coal, gas and nuclear power plants, an investment which deepened after its acquisition of Alstom in 2015.
The result was what the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) has described as “a case study in how rapidly and unexpectedly the global energy transition away from fossil fuels travels up the economic chain and destroys value in the power generation sector” – or in other words, a disaster.
After betting on fossils & losing big, GE & BlackRock turn to solar
General Electric (GE) is not one of the companies that is associated with a serious embrace of the energy transition, and for good reason. While GE is one of the world’s largest makers of wind turbines, its much larger GE Power division invested deeply in building, installing and maintaining coal, gas and nuclear power plants, an investment which deepened after its acquisition of Alstom in 2015.
The result was what the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) has described as “a case study in how rapidly and unexpectedly the global energy transition away from fossil fuels travels up the economic chain and destroys value in the power generation sector” – or in other words, a disaster.
ladysbff
Member
I was watching an old episode of 30 Rock a couple months ago and was kind of shocked to remember that they used to be the most valuable company in the world not less than 20 years ago... Considering their spectacular downfall and loss of market share when the recession hit, right after those episodes came out... Reminds me of a couple companies in 2019...
ladysbff
Member
Ooooooh I wonder if a floating PV shade ball alternative for the LA reservoir could be a viable project?
Those 96 Million Black Balls in LA's Reservoir Are Not Just There to Save Water
EIA Electric Power Monthly - October 2019 (to August 2019)
Solar lags wind by a lot, but is growing. Planned solar capacity additions were reduced, which suggests that some large projects were either canceled or delayed.
Utility Solar:
Capacity (MW):
[tr]
Generation (GWh):
Small Scale Solar:
Capacity (MW):
Generation (GWh):
Total Solar:
Capacity (MW):
Generation (GWh):
[/tr]
Solar lags wind by a lot, but is growing. Planned solar capacity additions were reduced, which suggests that some large projects were either canceled or delayed.
Utility Solar:
Capacity (MW):
| Period | Prior | Change | New | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | 33,687.3 | 227.6 | 33,914.9 | 0.68% |
| YTD | 31,878.4 | 2,036.5 | 33,914.9 | 6.39% |
| Rolling | 29,431.9 | 4,483.0 | 33,914.9 | 15.23% |
| Plan +12mo | 9,855.0 | -563.6 | 9,063.8 | . |
Generation (GWh):
| Year | Month | YTD | Rolling | Month % | YTD% | Rolling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 6,695 | 46,042 | 62,777 | 1.63% | 1.62% | 1.50% |
| 2019 | 7,844 | 51,250 | 69,033 | 1.94% | 1.83% | 1.66% |
| Difference | 1,149 | 5,208 | 6,256 | 0.31% | 0.21% | 0.16% |
Small Scale Solar:
Capacity (MW):
| Period | Prior | Change | New | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | 21,534.6 | 302.1 | 21,836.7 | 1.40% |
| YTD | 19,547.1 | 2,289.6 | 21,836.7 | 11.71% |
| Rolling | 18,519.6 | 3,317.1 | 21,836.7 | 17.91% |
Generation (GWh):
| Year | Month | YTD | Rolling | Month % | YTD% | Rolling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 3,017 | 20,793 | 28,041 | 0.74% | 0.73% | 0.67% |
| 2019 | 3,630 | 24,762 | 33,508 | 0.90% | 0.88% | 0.81% |
| Difference | 613 | 3,969 | 5,467 | 0.16% | 0.15% | 0.13% |
Total Solar:
Capacity (MW):
| Period | Prior | Change | New | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | 55,221.9 | 529.7 | 55,751.6 | 0.96% |
| YTD | 51,425.5 | 4,326.1 | 55,751.6 | 8.41% |
| Rolling | 47,951.5 | 7,800.1 | 55,751.6 | 16.27% |
Generation (GWh):
| Year | Month | YTD | Rolling | Month % | YTD% | Rolling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 9,712 | 66,835 | 90,818 | 2.37% | 2.35% | 2.17% |
| 2019 | 11,474 | 76,012 | 102,541 | 2.83% | 2.71% | 2.47% |
| Difference | 1,762 | 9,177 | 11,723 | 0.47% | 0.36% | 0.29% |
Residential solar power growing like a “weed”, straining labor
On July 4, this pv magazine USA author gave you their philosophies on why distributed solar power, in the hands of individual, parallels the political ideology of the United States – and the structure of the way the universe runs. As such, you ought term me generally bullish and optimistic on this topic.
Roth Capital Partners forecasts 25% year on year growth in both 2019 and 2020 for the U.S. residential solar power market. The firm notes that executive interviews are saying Roth’s projections are conservative, suggesting growth in the 30-50% range.
On July 4, this pv magazine USA author gave you their philosophies on why distributed solar power, in the hands of individual, parallels the political ideology of the United States – and the structure of the way the universe runs. As such, you ought term me generally bullish and optimistic on this topic.
Roth Capital Partners forecasts 25% year on year growth in both 2019 and 2020 for the U.S. residential solar power market. The firm notes that executive interviews are saying Roth’s projections are conservative, suggesting growth in the 30-50% range.
TheTalkingMule
Distributed Energy Enthusiast
Residential solar is set to make it's next major leap. Two big factors have crossed their tipping point:
1) Financial risk outside of CA is stabilizing. Even solar buyers in fracking states like PA can feel considerably more confident that legislators and utilities won't be able to team up and drop their shenanigans on unsuspecting consumers.
2) Sales processes are finally starting to change. Most people willing to have annoying sales reps sit in their living room and then pay a $5k premium for the privilege.
Tesla with their lobbying in 2015/16 and now their set pricing are obviously leading the way on both fronts.
Summer 2020 should be monumental.
1) Financial risk outside of CA is stabilizing. Even solar buyers in fracking states like PA can feel considerably more confident that legislators and utilities won't be able to team up and drop their shenanigans on unsuspecting consumers.
2) Sales processes are finally starting to change. Most people willing to have annoying sales reps sit in their living room and then pay a $5k premium for the privilege.
Tesla with their lobbying in 2015/16 and now their set pricing are obviously leading the way on both fronts.
Summer 2020 should be monumental.
No-Gold Perovskite Solar Cells Aim A Dagger At The Heart Of Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuel stakeholders are already shivering in their boots over the low cost of wind and solar energy, and now here comes yet another dose of stone cold reality. In a new report, a research team in Italy suggests that perovskite solar cells are set for another steep drop in costs. Perovskite has great promise as a low-cost material for super cheap solar cells, so how much lower can perovskite solar cells go?
NREL is riding hell for leather with a 2020 goal of achieving solar cells that cost just 6 cents per kilowatt hour in its pocket, and that’s just one example of the different avenues of pursuit the lab is pursuing.
Fossil fuel stakeholders are already shivering in their boots over the low cost of wind and solar energy, and now here comes yet another dose of stone cold reality. In a new report, a research team in Italy suggests that perovskite solar cells are set for another steep drop in costs. Perovskite has great promise as a low-cost material for super cheap solar cells, so how much lower can perovskite solar cells go?
NREL is riding hell for leather with a 2020 goal of achieving solar cells that cost just 6 cents per kilowatt hour in its pocket, and that’s just one example of the different avenues of pursuit the lab is pursuing.
Navy engineer wants infrared scanning and disciplined data to stop solar fires
In a document published earlier this year (pdf), he pointed out the need to create an industry standard for residential PM that includes annual visual inspections, and infrared imaging specifically to look for system hotspots. The below image, from his company’s Residential PV Solar System O&M Scope table of contents, shows that his own work goes further, something he wishes other did.
In a document published earlier this year (pdf), he pointed out the need to create an industry standard for residential PM that includes annual visual inspections, and infrared imaging specifically to look for system hotspots. The below image, from his company’s Residential PV Solar System O&M Scope table of contents, shows that his own work goes further, something he wishes other did.
That 6c/kWh uility solar target was met 2 years ago.
(I think it's clear that residential (10c/kWh) and commercial (8c/kWh) targets weren't met, probably because USA.)
So, in November 2016, with utility solar already at 7c/kWh and falling, to beat the administrative deadline
, the DoE announced their Sunshot 2030 targets.Energy Department Announces More than 90% Achievement of 2020 SunShot Goal, Sets Sights on 2030 Affordability Targets
The Energy Man said:
TheTalkingMule
Distributed Energy Enthusiast
I don't know why we feels the need to track panel cost per kWh as if that's something, it's certainly different in San Diego vs. Anchorage. Whats wrong with the simple price per Watt?
And who even cares about panel cost in the first place? We've passed $.25/W for utility scale panels and you can get awesome high end residential panels for $.55/W if you shop around or leverage a group buy.
The raw cost problem can be considered solved if you ask me. I'm excited to hear this new First Solar plant is kicking out utility style panels with 1/6 the manufacturing carbon footprint of traditional PV manufacturing. In....sane. Doesn't hurt that Ohio's a swing state
And who even cares about panel cost in the first place? We've passed $.25/W for utility scale panels and you can get awesome high end residential panels for $.55/W if you shop around or leverage a group buy.
The raw cost problem can be considered solved if you ask me. I'm excited to hear this new First Solar plant is kicking out utility style panels with 1/6 the manufacturing carbon footprint of traditional PV manufacturing. In....sane. Doesn't hurt that Ohio's a swing state
nwdiver
Well-Known Member
$/kWh (or MWh) for utility scale projects is the best indicator of how well that technology will perform economically when actually connected to the grid. Labor costs are usually ~50% of the actual cost so improvements in installation can have an outsized effect on the viability of solar or wind which aren't going to be visible with a simple $/w analysis.
First Solar has an interesting approach to vertically integrate panel and installation at lower cost.
Large, CdTe panels with unique mounting.
Series 6
All PV technologies are not created equal. First Solar’s advanced thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules are manufactured using less energy, water and semiconductor material, resulting in the best environmental profile in the industry.
Large, CdTe panels with unique mounting.
Series 6
All PV technologies are not created equal. First Solar’s advanced thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules are manufactured using less energy, water and semiconductor material, resulting in the best environmental profile in the industry.
One gigawatt down, portfolio of gigawatts next
Wireless solutions allow for strategically distributed energy storage systems (sometimes plus solar) to replace powerline upgrades or installations. The California Independent System Operator (CAISO), which manages the state’s power grid, last year canceled or modified powerline and grid upgrades that would have cost $2.6 billion due to efficiency efforts and distributed solar. And Eversource – a utility in New Hampshire – is installing a 1.7 MW / 7.1 MWh battery instead of a $6 million, 10-mile powerline.
Wireless solutions allow for strategically distributed energy storage systems (sometimes plus solar) to replace powerline upgrades or installations. The California Independent System Operator (CAISO), which manages the state’s power grid, last year canceled or modified powerline and grid upgrades that would have cost $2.6 billion due to efficiency efforts and distributed solar. And Eversource – a utility in New Hampshire – is installing a 1.7 MW / 7.1 MWh battery instead of a $6 million, 10-mile powerline.
Saving water with solar and wind
Scientists at Princeton have found solar and wind energy offer the added environmental benefit of reducing water usage, by comparison with hydroelectric dams. Their findings, say the researchers, could have a positive impact on groundwater sustainability in drought-prone regions such as California, where they conducted a case study.
The researchers noted, 54% of the world’s hydropower plants compete with agriculture for water use. The two sectors rarely collaborate on water management schemes and have quite different needs – hydropower stores water in reservoirs to maintain a head for power generation while farms need water released for irrigation downstream.
Scientists at Princeton have found solar and wind energy offer the added environmental benefit of reducing water usage, by comparison with hydroelectric dams. Their findings, say the researchers, could have a positive impact on groundwater sustainability in drought-prone regions such as California, where they conducted a case study.
The researchers noted, 54% of the world’s hydropower plants compete with agriculture for water use. The two sectors rarely collaborate on water management schemes and have quite different needs – hydropower stores water in reservoirs to maintain a head for power generation while farms need water released for irrigation downstream.
If all else fails, try renewables.
Fukushima to be reborn as $2.7bn wind and solar power hub
A plan is under way to develop 11 solar power plants and 10 wind power plants in the prefecture, on farmlands that cannot be cultivated anymore and mountainous areas from where population outflows continue.
Fukushima to be reborn as $2.7bn wind and solar power hub
A plan is under way to develop 11 solar power plants and 10 wind power plants in the prefecture, on farmlands that cannot be cultivated anymore and mountainous areas from where population outflows continue.
SageBrush
REJECT Fascism
I'm sure that is somewhat true but the reservoirs were paid for by the electricity generator.
So this is a case of the farmers asking someone else to foot the bill for the reservoirs and then complaining that they are not used exactly as they want.
In both hydropower and irrigation dams, it's the taxpayer who pays. These are usually built at taxpayer expense (usually low interest loans) and then everybody fights over the water.
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