• December 04, 2024

Full household electrification refers to the process of providing access to reliable electricity for all households within a particular region or country. It involves extending the electrical grid infrastructure and ensuring that every household has access to electricity for their basic energy needs. When a region or country achieves full household electrification, it means that every home is connected to the electrical grid and has a reliable and continuous supply of electricity. This allows households to have access to various electrical appliances and services, such as lighting, cooking, heating, cooling, refrigeration, communication devices, entertainment, and other electrical equipment. Full household electrification has significant social, economic, and environmental benefits. It improves the quality of life for individuals and communities by providing access to essential services and enabling opportunities for education, healthcare, and economic development. It also reduces the reliance on traditional, polluting energy sources, such as kerosene lamps, candles, or biomass for cooking, which can have adverse health effects and contribute to deforestation and air pollution. Different regions and countries may face unique challenges in achieving full household electrification. These challenges can include the extension of the electrical grid infrastructure to remote or underserved areas, affordability of electricity connections and appliances for low-income households, and ensuring the reliability and sustainability of electricity supply. To accelerate the progress towards full household electrification, many governments, international organizations, and private initiatives have been working on expanding access to electricity, promoting renewable energy sources, implementing efficient technologies, and addressing the barriers that prevent universal access to reliable.

• December 03, 2024

The rapid expansion of utility scale solar power plants across the United States has brought much-needed renewable energy to the power grid. However, this prosperity has forced many project owners to seek less than ideal land to keep up with current growth. In many cases, solar installations are built on farmland, which never needs to comply with the regulatory standards required for solar power stations. These locations typically face significant environmental challenges, particularly those related to soil health and potential erosion. These issues not only disrupt the project schedule, but also cause long-term environmental damage and complicate regulatory compliance issues. Unfortunately, many project owners are not aware of the costly risks of ignoring or not taking the time to identify these issues. This is where data analysis and proactive, normative planning come into play. Profile Products is an agricultural solutions company that has researched tens of thousands of current and potential solar sites to analyze and evaluate their soil health and erosion risks, providing insights that can help stakeholders develop targeted mitigation strategies. Industry Status This analysis was conducted using a tool called PV-IMPACTS, which represents a comprehensive mitigation plan for climate, terrain, and soil assessment. The software evaluated over ten geographic spatial factors of 13900 existing and potential solar project locations nationwide, showing that nearly 48% of solar projects (covering over 323000 acres) were classified as projects at risk of soil health issues. Poor soil health can lead to poor vegetation growth, thereby increasing the risk of erosion. In addition to soil health risks, the software also found that 29% of these projects are at risk of erosion. This is equivalent to over 294000 acres of land potentially experiencing severe erosion, leading to potential rainwater violations and project delays, thereby affecting the sustainability of solar energy projects. Due to the fact that solar installations typically require large areas of land and stable infrastructure, the dual threats of deteriorating soil health and erosion pose significant challenges to the industry. Dealing with risks Developers need to consider the interrelated regulatory, environmental, economic, and public awareness risks associated with not actively addressing soil health and erosion issues. From a regulatory perspective, maintaining soil health and controlling erosion are crucial for complying with environmental standards. Solar installations are typically subject to strict regulations that require the adoption of sustainable land management practices. Projects that do not meet these standards may face penalties, expensive corrective measures, and long-term reputation damage, which may hinder future development opportunities. Ensuring compliance from the outset through active soil management can protect developers from unexpected fines and create simplified pa...

• December 02, 2024

Maxeon announced that it will restructure its business and focus on the US market. This multinational company headquartered in Singapore will reach an agreement with its major shareholder (TCL)'s parent company to sell its sales and marketing businesses in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. TCL will establish a new department, TCL SunPower International, for non US entities prior to Maxeon, including Maxeon's manufacturing business in the Philippines. Maxeon stated that with a new focus on the United States, it has signed a five-year lease agreement for an existing building in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and plans to begin production of solar panels at the 2-gigawatt factory in early 2026. Maxeon had previously planned to build a solar cell and panel manufacturing plant from scratch in Albuquerque. As Maxeon strengthens its focus on the US market, our top priority is to further expand our growing network of residential and commercial partners and support our well-established utility scale customer base, "said George Guo, CEO of Maxeon. This strategic realignment of our business aims to bring us closer to and better suited to the needs of our American customer base, allowing us to leverage Maxeon's extensive experience and top reputation in product innovation and quality, which is almost entirely built upon 40 years of technological leadership and intellectual property investments Guo also stated that currently the 2-gigawatt factory is only engaged in module assembly, and Maxeon will continue to evaluate its long-term goals for solar cell manufacturing. Maxeon announced earlier this month that US Customs has detained its solar panels assembled in Mexico using Malaysian solar cells, as US Customs and Border Protection has intensified its scrutiny of the solar panel supply chain in search of links to Uyghur forced labor. Although these solar panels have no connection to Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region or China, Maxeon's sale of Asian business assets to TCL should improve document recording speed. Today's decision did not mention Maxeon's business in Malaysia.

• November 29, 2024

Ipsun Solar has announced a partnership with Versiris Energy to install 1.58 megawatts of rooftop solar energy on storage units across Virginia. This cooperation is in line with the commitment of both companies to increase access to clean energy and promote sustainable development. The first completed installation project of this collaboration is located at a factory in Fairfax, Virginia, marking the beginning of at least a dozen project portfolios. As we continue to expand our supply of commercial and industrial solar projects nationwide, our partnership with Ipsun Solar has been an important part of Virginia's efforts. Their familiarity with the Virginia market, coupled with savvy engineering skills and grounded teams, has proven crucial to our joint success, "said Rocky Shoemaker, Vice President of Engineering and Construction at Versiris Energy. Given its strategic location and ample rooftop space, storage facilities are the perfect choice for rooftop solar installations. Ipsun Solar is honored to support Virginia's ambitious goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2050 and is pleased to continue this influential collaboration. The next project in this growing investment portfolio will take place in Chantilly, Virginia.

• November 28, 2024

Entergy Louisiana and DE Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) have started commercial operations at Sunlight Road Solar in the Washington Diocese of Louisiana. The 50 megawatt solar power facility located in Franklin will be developed and constructed by DESRI and will supply power to Entergy Louisiana's grid through a 20-year power purchase agreement. Sunlight Road Solar has over 100000 photovoltaic panels that will generate enough electricity to power approximately 11500 households, helping to meet Louisiana's growing demand for renewable energy. Phillip May, President and CEO of Entergy Louisiana, said, "With the addition of Sunlight Road Solar, we are taking another step towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future for our state." "This milestone is not just about adding solar energy to our product portfolio; it's about providing our customers with affordable, reliable, and clean energy. We are excited about what this means for the future of Louisiana's electricity as we continue to meet the growing demand for renewable energy and strive for a net zero emissions future Entergy Louisiana's customers expect to save approximately $22 million during the term of the Sunlight Road Solar power purchase agreement. The facility uses a Nevada single axis tracker to keep the solar panels following the sun throughout the day, maximizing energy production. DESRI is pleased to collaborate with Entergy to develop and build another renewable energy project to support its customers, "said Hy Martin, Chief Development Officer of DESRI." We are grateful to Sunlight Road Solar's numerous stakeholders, including Washington Parish, Entergy, our landowners, project lenders, Nevados, and Primoris Renewable Energy, and look forward to continuing to invest in clean, cost competitive energy to create opportunities for Louisiana and the wider Gulf region The company plans to put nearly 50 megawatts of Stirling solar facilities into operation at some point in 2026. The solar facility will be owned and operated by Entergy Louisiana, located next to the Stirling Power Station, which is one of the company's oldest power plants in northern Louisiana. These milestones are in line with Entergy's commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

• November 26, 2024

Earlier this year, Nexamp opened its second national headquarters in Chicago, attended by Governor JB Pritzker and Congressman Danny K. Davis (Democrat of Illinois). As part of this announcement, Nexamp has committed to hiring an additional 50 team members and investing over $2 billion in the state through its existing projects and strong development channels. Now, Nexamp has been designated by the US Department of Labor as a Registered Apprentice Program (RAP) employer in Illinois. This appointment was announced during last week's National Apprenticeship Week. It is the result of the company's extensive workforce development program, including the successful implementation of STEM based scholarship programs with the City College of Chicago and the Solar Sunrise program, which provides participants with full-time career opportunities through one-year rotation experience across multiple Nexamp businesses. Marion Jones, Vice President of Workforce Development and DEIJ Engagement at Nexamp, said, "Since we first announced the establishment of our second headquarters in Chicago in February this year, our focus has been on expanding employment opportunities for underrepresented communities in the Chicago area. Successful energy transformation requires skilled and knowledgeable labor, and all communities must have access to these opportunities. By offering apprenticeships and working closely with educational institutions in the region, we are expanding the urgently needed clean energy workforce today The U.S. Department of Labor is responsible for managing the Registered Apprenticeship Program, which helps ensure a strong and fair economic recovery after the epidemic by enabling all Americans to get good jobs in priority industries and among people who are particularly affected by the epidemic. Registering an apprenticeship program enables employers to develop and train their future workforce, while providing affordable pathways for job seekers to secure safe, high-quality, and high paying jobs. In Illinois, we are cultivating the future workforce through world-class education and apprenticeship opportunities, "said Governor JB Pritzker. I am grateful to Nexamp's partners for their continued investment in the success of Illinois, including the opening of a second Chicago headquarters and the new U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship program. This program will undoubtedly ensure that the next generation is adequately prepared for skilled labor while creating more high paying jobs and fair opportunities

• November 25, 2024

On November 18th, a group of elected officials from both parties in California celebrated the launch of the first community solar project in the Central Valley with Dimension Energy. Joe Henri from Dimension Energy, along with Senator Anna Caballero, Congressman Devon Mathis, Raja Ramesh from the California Energy Commission, and community organizer Melynda Metheney, gathered in front of a solar array just 10 minutes away from downtown Visalia to promote the many benefits of community solar energy. Valley residents. Dimension Energy is proud to bring affordable energy solutions to the residents of the Central Valley, "said Joe Henri of Dimension Energy. We hope this is just the beginning. We envision establishing a truly effective community solar and storage project throughout California that will enable more farmers and landowners to host these facilities, protect agricultural land within their homes, while creating employment opportunities and generating clean energy locally The Visalia project is one of three new community solar pilot programs developed by Dimension Energy in the Central Valley, and is also part of the state's Vulnerable Community Green Tariff (DAC-GT) program. The other two projects of the pilot program are located in Cocoon and Lemore. These three projects will provide clean solar power to over 3700 low-income valley residents at a 20% discount, saving an average of $40 per month for households. Dimension strives to ensure the localization of benefits for each project, collaborating with trusted community organizations such as Proteus and Self Help Enterprises to provide affordable clean energy to residents in greatest need, and sponsoring workforce development programs to ensure high-quality work for every project. According to the latest census data, 50% of the population in Tuleri County does not speak English: a significant portion of registered residents speak Spanish, and all of Dimension's community partners also speak Spanish. The DAC-GT program ended earlier this year, making these pilot community solar projects the first and last of their kind. Ideally, these projects would become a model for CPUC as it considers how to deploy the $250 million Solar For All funding allocated by the Environmental Protection Agency this spring. Federal funding provides an opportunity to launch and expand community solar energy programs across the state. The event speaker emphasized that if PUC deploys most of the federal funds this fall to expand community solar across the state, it will bring additional benefits to households in the Central Valley.

• November 22, 2024

GameChange Solar, a solar structure manufacturer, has released TopoSmart+, a project analysis tool designed to minimize the terrain cost of installing the company's single axis solar tracker on challenging and uneven terrain. TopoSmart+runs multiple design iterations on solar project sites to determine lower cost leveling and steel column options, optimize tracker elevations, and generate leveling plans. The 3D modeling of this tool supports the straight pipe and terrain following configuration of GameChange's Genius Tracker to ensure that the tracker design is suitable for the specific conditions on site. For homeowners interested in terrain tracking systems, GameChange offers solar trackers suitable for medium and extreme terrain tracking, allowing for a maximum slope variation of 1 ° between each column span. TopoSmart+can also be designed with relatively small changes in the slope of the pipeline to increase the power output of the tracker system. Our goal at TopoSmart+is to provide powerful and streamlined solutions that reduce terrain costs while supporting project financing, "said Anthony Assal, Director of Technical Development at GameChange." By optimizing the slope and steel requirements of specific terrains, we provide developers with an efficient and cost-effective approach, even in the most challenging locations

• November 21, 2024

Castillo Engineering has been selected by Recon Corporation to provide design and engineering services for two new community solar projects in Illinois, with a total capacity of 15 MW DC. As part of the Shines or Adjustable Block Program in Illinois, these two 7.5 MW projects are located in Pontiac and Odell cities and will use single axis trackers. These projects are expected to start construction in the first quarter of 2025 and be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025. Prior to this announcement, Castillo and Recon acquired a portfolio of three projects (totaling 23 megawatts) in the first quarter of 2024. Once these latest projects are put into operation, Castillo and Recon will jointly complete projects exceeding 50 megawatts. Recon President Scott Walker said, "Castillo remains our preferred partner because of their extensive experience in the Midwest and consistent track record in completing projects on schedule and within budget." "We look forward to further leveraging their internal expertise in civil, electrical, and structural engineering to provide more effective community solar projects for Illinois residents In the past four years, community solar capacity in Illinois has tripled. In terms of community solar installed capacity, the state currently ranks among the top four states in the United States, second only to New York, Minnesota, and Massachusetts. This can be achieved through favorable legislation in the state. Illinois Shines plans to recently increase the size limit for qualified projects from 2 MW to 5 MW AC. These two new projects are the first projects in the new allowed scale completed by Castillo and Recon. Christopher Castillo, CEO of Castillo Engineering, said, "We are delighted to once again have the opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders like Recon Corporation in the Midwest. Their expertise is unparalleled in the region, and we look forward to helping them effectively execute this range of impactful community solar projects