Solar PV News

[mspohr]

Credit Suisse Predicts Renewable Energy That Is "Too Cheap To Meter" By 2025

Credit Suisse believes the Inflation Reduction Act will have a much larger effect on the transition to renewable energy that most believe.

cleantechnica.com

Credit Suisse says the Inflation Reduction Act will have such a tremendous impact on renewable energy that the US may see the levelized cost of electricity from renewable sources fall to less than 1 cent per kWh hour by 2025 after factoring in all tax and production credits.

We are all witnesses to a tipping point in human history. There is a giant nuclear reactor in the sky that supplies all the energy the Earth needs to meet its needs. All we have to do is harvest it. (Winds are also a product of the energy we get from the sun.) Some may quibble that the US should not be telling the rest of the world what to do and there is merit to that argument, but nevertheless, it does have an outsized influence on other nations.

The U.S. is ‘poised to become the world’s leading energy provider,’ according to the bank. America is already the world’s largest producer of oil and natural gas. The IRA could further enhance its advantage in all forms of energy production, giving it a ‘competitive advantage in low-cost clean electricity and hydrogen production, infrastructure, geologic storage, and human capital,’ the report states. By 2029, U.S. solar and wind could be the cheapest in the world at less than $5 per megawatt-hour, the bank projects. It will also become competitive in hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, and wind turbines.

 

[mspohr]

U.S. DOE invests in enhancing environmental and wildlife benefits of solar

As solar energy increases in the United States, the DOE is investing $14 million in studies on how the infrastructure affects wildlife and ecosystems.

pv-magazine-usa.com

One study conducted at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, however, found that solar farms provide better habitat than the wide-open desert. With tortoise-sized openings at the bottom of the fence surrounding the solar structure, tortoises found more shade and food under the structure. In another study conducted by First Solar at its Topaz project in Calif., First Solar uses a special fence to let endangered foxes in and their predators, coyotes, out. The study found that vegetation at the site showed “greater percent live cover, less bare ground, and higher species diversity” than on surrounding stewardship lands. In a study at the University of Arizona, researchers found that crops improve solar array performance, and the solar arrays improve crop yield in dry environments.
With DOE’s investment, it intends to expand the understanding

 

[mspohr]

EPA sued over lack of plan to regulate water pollution from factory farms

Dozens of advocacy groups have filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), claiming the federal department has failed to come up with a plan to regulate water pollution from factory farms. The suit claims the agency has yet to respond to a 2017 legal petition from more than 30 environmental groups demanding that the EPA tighten its Clean Water Act enforcement for factory farms, also known as concentrated animal feeding operations (Cafos), where thousands of animals are sometimes confined. The agency has never explained how it plans to crack down on water pollution that often contains manure, antibiotics and chemicals, the groups argue. Federal rules require government agencies to respond to petitions “within a reasonable time”.

 

[mspohr]

High electricity rates push homeowners to consider solar

Rising electric rates, grid instability, environmental concerns and decreased solar costs are all reasons for homeowners to go solar, according to a study by Rocket Solar.

pv-magazine-usa.com

 

[ggies07]

High electricity rates push homeowners to consider solar

Rising electric rates, grid instability, environmental concerns and decreased solar costs are all reasons for homeowners to go solar, according to a study by Rocket Solar.

pv-magazine-usa.com

Yep, it's finally happening here in Texas. I had a two year contract of 9.5 rate and had to renew in July. The most reasonable rate I could find was 14.5 with 16-19 being the most common. At just 14.5, a 5 cent difference, has caused my monthly bills to go from $200 to $400+.

My next door neighbor is getting them installed soon for this reason. It's time for us well as all the cheap rates have disappeared.

I've been wanting them for years, but the wifey never wanted to engage in such heavy debt as we can not pay upfront with cash and we have no other debt....but it's time.

 

[Unclepaul]

All energy on the Earth (except perhaps wave energy) originates from the Sun. Goal is how to most economically and ecologically harvest that energy to provide the energy necessary to advance civilization.

 

[mspohr]

Welcome to Modhera, India’s first village entirely powered by solar | The Optimist Daily

It’s only fitting that Modhera, the home of the Sun Temple, is India’s first village to completely harness solar power.

www.optimistdaily.com

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared Modhera to be the country’s first village to be powered by solar 24 hours a day, seven days a week. According to the Gujarati government, residents can save 60 to 100 percent on their power bills as a result of this. “Earlier, when solar was not there, I had to pay huge amount for the electricity bill — close to 2,000 rupees. However, with the installation of the solar, my electricity bill is now zero. Everything from the refrigerator to washing machine now runs on solar in my house. I am not paying even 1 rupee electricity bill now,” affirms village resident Gadvi Kailashben, who supports her family through farming. Nearly 30 acres of Modhera now have solar and rooftop panels that provide more kilowatts of energy than the village’s residents use each day.

 

[mspohr]

I'm trying out this simple "earth mount" technique with a few panels. It's cheap and easy.

Rackless, earth-mounted solar 107 MW memorandum of understanding signed

Erthos announced a 14 MW portfolio of earth-mount solar PV projects under contract along with a memorandum of understanding for a 107 MW project.

pv-magazine-usa.com

What makes earth mount solar PV unique is that the solar arrays are mounted directly on the earth with no mounts or trackers below. While the design is unusual, the company announced the closing of a $17.5 million Series B funding round in March to scale-up. This follows a $7.4 million Series A in 2019, which launched the company and helped it finalize the earth-mount system architecture. It also funded the development of the autonomous cleaning robot, which drives over the surface of the panels to clean them, which is necessitated by having the solar modules so close to the ground.

While most utility-scale solar installations use single-axis trackers, Erthos said that with the drop in solar module prices, it is more cost-effective to buy additional solar modules to make up for the loss of efficiency from foregoing trackers. The company points to other advantages as well, including increased panel density, which can cut land costs. Visual impact is minimal because the modules sit on the ground. And the company says it can install the modules in about half the time, halving the cost.

 

[mspohr]

In France, all large parking lots now have to be covered by solar panels

France just approved legislation requiring all parking lots, current and future, to be covered in solar panels.

electrek.co

Starting July 1, 2023, smaller carparks that have between 80 and 400 spaces will have five years to be in compliance with the new measures. Carparks with more than 400 spaces have a shorter timeline: They will need to comply with the new measures within three years of this date, and at least half of the surface area of the parking lot will need to be covered in solar panels.

 

[mspohr]

The benefits and challenges of sheep.

Optimized business model for agrivoltaics

BayWa r.e. has started optimizing its sheep count while experimenting with shepherd partnership business models.

www.pv-magazine.com

It all comes down to energy. Food is energy, and electricity is among our species’ greatest energy enablers. So what could be better than combining food production with solar electricity generation? The synergy of the food + energy production of an agrivoltaic facility jives in a common-sense, fundamental manner.

So BayWa r.e. decided to study how sheep at this location could help manage the vegetation. And after several rounds of buying sheep, their flock has grown to more than 700. Sadly, it lost seven of the sheep to predators, though they have gained a few back from lambing. The company pays a shepherd to manage the sheep, and splits profits from lambs and any mutton sold.

The end result is increased electricity generation and a savings of $413,774 compared to the cost of mowing. The sheep appear to have damaged two solar modules, as compared to the 1,035 panels damaged by projectiles.

Sheep draw predators. Part of the requirement for the sheep herder is to protect the sheep – typically with dogs, or a donkey. David points out that donkeys are risky – they are often stubborn animals who might kick the solar panels or racking systems.

 

[mspohr]

The role of solar in the Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 sets aside $369 billion to decarbonize the economy and respond to climate change. <b>pv magazine USA</b>’s <b>Anne Fischer</b> and <b>Ryan Kennedy</b> report on the boost the landmark legislation is expected to provide to solar and battery deployment and...

pv-magazine-usa.com

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), signed into law by U.S. President Joe Biden in August, is the largest climate and energy spending package in U.S. history. The massive bill includes $600 billion in spending, $370 billion of which is dedicated to renewables and climate resilience.

“This act includes $369 billion to take the most aggressive action ever … ever, ever, ever, in confronting the climate crisis,” said Biden during the bill’s signing.

The IRA mandates a nationwide reduction of carbon emissions by roughly 40% in 2030 and aims for energy savings for Americans. Biden’s administration said 7.5 million more families will be able install solar on their roofs with a 30% tax credit, saving them approximately $9,000 over the life of the system or at least $300 per year. Families that take advantage of clean energy, efficiency, and electric vehicle tax credits will save more than $1,000 a year, the administration claimed.

Solar investment could reach $321 billion in 2030, up from an anticipated pre-IRA $177 billion. The REPEAT report expects the IRA to drive almost $3.5 trillion in capital investment into new American energy supply over a decade. With annual US energy expenditure expected to fall at least 4% in 2030, the IRA would bring almost $50 billion of savings for households and businesses.

 

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Fun fact: including estimated solar, September was the first month that US solar generation exceeded US hydroelectric generation.
September is the low month for hydro, while September is normally 5th or 6th best for solar, so this is just an early milestone.

 

[mspohr]

U.S. Customs releases UFLPA detained solar panels, said ROTH note

Industry checks show that a meaningful supply of JinkoSolar modules made with Wacker polysilicon have been cleared for the U.S. market, said Philip Shen, managing director of ROTH Capital Partners.

pv-magazine-usa.com

An industry note from Philip Shen, managing director, ROTH Capital Partners, said industry contacts have informed the firm that the first potentially meaningful supply of solar panels detained by Customs Border Patrol under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) has been released to the U.S. market. The note said JinkoSolar modules made with Wacker polysilicon were released. “We believe this could result in a ramp up of volume and imports. The company likely has a substantial amount of Hoshine WRO & UFLPA backlog to get through,” wrote Shen.

 

[mspohr]

Rallies underway in 10 California cities to combat anti-rooftop solar policy

In opposition to a 75% cut of utility payments for excess rooftop solar customer production, California residents, environmental activists, and renewable energy workers will hold rallies across the state on Thursday, December 1, calling on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and...

pv-magazine-usa.com

The proposed decision comes after a year of rulemaking battles waged between investor-owned utilities and rooftop solar advocates, including environmentalists, employment and labor groups, small businesses, and concerned citizens. This June, a similar rally was held to strike down a proposed fixed charge to solar customers, a policy that was maligned as “a tax on the sun.” The provision was successfully removed, but the revised proposal still contains provisions that are significantly damaging to the value of local, clean energy.

 

[mspohr]

Canary Media: A 100MW solar farm in Texas will mount panels directly on the ground. A 100MW solar farm in Texas will mount panels directly on the ground

 

[mspohr]

CleanTechnica: Hourly Electric Grid Monitor for USA. Hourly Electric Grid Monitor for USA

 

[mspohr]

Solar carport tax incentives suggested in California

California Senator Josh Becker submitted SB 49, which roughly states that California should incentivize parking lot solar power via an (as of yet) unspecified tax credit.

pv-magazine-usa.com

If we were to cover just 25% of the country’s parking spots with 2.88 kWdc per spot, the capacity of those 500 million parking spots would total 1.44 TW. And if we assume a lower average generation capacity factor due to suboptimal angling of the panels – let’s assume 15% – they would generate 1.89 PWh of electricity. The total electrical consumption of the US is currently around 4 PWh per year.

(As a side note, I just purchased a solar canopy for my office parking lot. It's just one space, 4.3 kW. Beam EV ARC)

 

[mspohr]

White House releases IRA program guidebook

The guide to the IRA's investments in clean energy and climate action describes the programs in plain English, with links to the official legal language.

pv-magazine-usa.com

Inflation Reduction Act Guidebook | Clean Energy | The White House

Download the Inflation Reduction Act Guidebook On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, marking the most significant action Congress has taken on clean energy and climate change in the nation’s history. With the stroke of his pen, the President redefined...

www.whitehouse.gov

 

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Solar carport tax incentives suggested in California

California Senator Josh Becker submitted SB 49, which roughly states that California should incentivize parking lot solar power via an (as of yet) unspecified tax credit.

pv-magazine-usa.com

If we were to cover just 25% of the country’s parking spots with 2.88 kWdc per spot, the capacity of those 500 million parking spots would total 1.44 TW. And if we assume a lower average generation capacity factor due to suboptimal angling of the panels – let’s assume 15% – they would generate 1.89 PWh of electricity. The total electrical consumption of the US is currently around 4 PWh per year.

Such a good idea in hot states. PV generation at commercial locations, potential to feed desirable workplace and commercial charging , and shading of vehicles to reduce cooling.

For us cold Northern states it's more of a double-edged sword. The shade limits the lovely cold-weather solar heating, and while it would reduce snow on the vehicles, it could also make plowing and re-paving the lot more difficult.

 

[mspohr]

Such a good idea in hot states. PV generation at commercial locations, potential to feed desirable workplace and commercial charging , and shading of vehicles to reduce cooling.

For us cold Northern states it's more of a double-edged sword. The shade limits the lovely cold-weather solar heating, and while it would reduce snow on the vehicles, it could also make plowing and re-paving the lot more difficult.

I'm not sure what you mean by "limit the lovely cold-weather solar heating"? Are you talking about keeping your car warm outdoors in the sun? Probably insignificant.
Plowing is easier since the show sheds into a nice pile at the edge of the array. (I live in an area where we get lots of snow and the area under the panels stays snow free and the snow sheds to the edge.)