December 20, 2023

Request for Information: Supercritical Carbon Dioxide-Based Turbomachinery for Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power Plants

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) issued a request for information (RFI) to better understand the opportunities to deploy supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) based turbomachinery for concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) plants. Electrical power generation based on sCO2 as the working fluid has the potential to yield higher thermal efficiencies at …

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December 20, 2023

Chile, 17 hours of storage with Concentrated Solar Power

In the Atacama Desert, the driest in the world located in northern Chile, the only Concentrated Solar Power tower in Latin America operates, a symbol of an energy revolution in the making against climate change. Aerial view of Cerro Dominador, the first concentrated solar power plant in Latin America, in Antofagasta, Chile. The imposing 240-meter …

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December 20, 2023

Another standalone thermal energy storage tech – the Heatcube

Heatcube tanks of molten-salts ©Kyotogroup Norway’s Heatcube began life in a quest to replace wood-fired heat used in the tea industry in rural Africa. “The idea was to try to bring cheap heat to Africa,” explained Kyotogroup’s Tim de Haas. “The challenge was that farmers were using a good portion of their land to cultivate …

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Today at the CPUC: Legislative Lifeline for Ratepayers as AB 1999 Amends Utility Tax May 19, 2024

Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 11, 2024 In a rapid response to public outcry and mounting pressure, California lawmakers have taken decisive action to amend Assembly Bill 1999 (AB 1999), aiming to cap the controversial Big Utility Tax. This legislative effort follows closely on the heels of the California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) decision to […]

Today at the CPUC: PG and E Enhances Net Billing Programs for Solar and Storage Systems May 19, 2024

Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 10, 2024 Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG and E) has taken a significant step forward in enhancing its solar and storage system policies by submitting the Third Substitute Sheets for Advice Letter 7149-E to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). This latest submission is aimed at refining the interconnection […]

Chinese firms exit Romania solar tender after EU probe May 19, 2024

Brussels, Belgium (AFP) May 13, 2024 Two Chinese-owned solar panel manufacturers have withdrawn from a public procurement tender in Romania after the EU launched a foreign subsidies probe, Brussels said Monday. Brussels is both seeking to ramp up Europe's renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while simultaneously moving away from excessive reliance on cheaper […]

Arevon Breaks Ground on Indiana Posey Solar Project May 17, 2024

Arevon Energy, in partnership with CenterPoint Energy, have broken ground on construction for the 228 MW Posey Solar Project in Posey County, Ind. Arevon developed the project along with CenterPoint, with Bechtel serving as its EPC contractor. CenterPoint will be the project’s long-term owner and operator during its estimated 35-year lifespan. “Posey Solar provides significant […]

DOE to Invest $71M in Domestic Solar Manufacturing, Development May 17, 2024

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is making a $71 million investment, including $16 million from President Biden’s infrastructure law, in R&D and demonstration projects aimed at increasing the network of domestic solar manufacturers. The department selected projects it felt addressed gaps in the domestic solar manufacturing supply chain capacity, including equipment, silicon ingots and […]

New York Adopts Statewide Solar for All Program May 16, 2024

The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) has adopted a Solar for All program that the commission hopes will spur development of more solar and retail energy storage projects across the state. Going forward, the program will be administered by each of the investor-owned utilities that serve electric energy affordability program (EAP) customers, while […]

New Maryland solar grant program offers up to $7,500 for eligible households May 16, 2024

The Maryland Energy Administration today announced the launch of an important new program to provide major incentives for income-eligible Maryland households to install solar panels. Contained in the Brighter Tomorrow Act of 2024 recently signed by Governor Wes Moore, the new Maryland Solar Access program will boost solar development in the state and make it… […]

Schneider Electric buys 45X tax credits from Silfab May 16, 2024

Schneider Electric announced a collaboration with Crux, a sustainable finance technology company, to purchase Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credits from Silfab Solar. Schneider Electric’s purchase of these tax credits generated supplemental investment funds for Silfab to accelerate its expansion plans for American manufacturing of solar energy for commercial and residential utilization. “We are… […]

Community solar legislation awaits governor’s signature in Alaska May 16, 2024

Senate Bill 152, “Saving Alaskans Money with Voluntary Community Energy,” has passed the Alaska State Legislature and now awaits Governor Dunleavy’s signature to become law. SB 152 will allow Alaskans to subscribe to community-owned solar arrays not located on their home or property, opening up clean energy access for the first time to the more… […]