NERC is reporting that more frequent extreme weather plus the shuttering of older plants with the adding on of new variable resources is resulting in more and more electric grid instability. All this with a Midwest (via Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s grid) capacity shortfall just around the corner.
PERC solar panels are built with PERC cells, tech that has an added layer on the back of the traditional solar cells. This extra layer makes it so more sunlight is captured and converted to electricity. The result is higher efficiency and an ability to mitigate rear recombination and prevent longer wavelengths from becoming heat that impairs cell performance. Read more to learn why they are a more viable option these days.
Canary Media assesses 2021 by looking at the top 11 solar power trends. These include rising component costs and unprecedented growth, the skinny on Build Back Better woes, online sales of rooftop systems, the push for US solar manufacturing, NEM squabbles, the fabulous interconnection queues, innovation and VC investment, the solar+storage boom, and import tariffs.
With certain supply and labor shortages, drones can compensate in some instances in order to run on-site surveys and map install environments. They can be used in tandem with site techs and expedite the design and overall install process. This can result in a better installation for the consumer and time and cost savings all around.
The China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) has condemned the US adoption of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act by Congress, which bars all imports from the Xinjiang region. They are calling the allegations false rumors – that they lack evidence and that the law violates international law and damages China’s interests.
This PV Solar article digs into how to mitigate risk to panels from severe winter weather. It looks at ice load, frost heave, water intrusion and ponding, and how to assess risk in advance. They also discuss issues related to insurance and gravity load.
6 states have been particuarly ambitious around climate friendly legislation in 2021: Colorado (enforceable emission-reduction requirements), Illinois (funding for developers, stringent utility regulations), Massachusetts, Oregon (labor and environmental justice protections), Washington (a carbon ?“cap-and-invest” system), and North Carolina (expansion of the large-scale solar procurement program).
EnergySage lays out all you – and your prospects – need to know about critical peak pricing. They define it and discuss its purpose for homeowners and other consumers of electricity. The article also looks at how to save on this kind of pricing though consumption reduction (insulation, appliance upgrades, tackling vampire loads) and installation of solar+storage.
FERC is looking into possibly altering its accounting rules to block utilities from charging customer for expenses around political and lobbying they undergo. Part of this would require them to show that their trade association dues are for activities that FERC allows to be recovered in rates – ushering in more transparency all around.
Energy Storage News rounds up their top articles for 2021: Battery analytics: The game changer for energy storage, Vanadium flow batteries for a zero-emissions energy system, Renewables as baseload energy: Form Energy’s multi-day storage seeks to replace gas and coal, Fluence IPO ‘can open investment doors for energy storage and renewable energy industry’, Three new energy storage projects that prove the versatility and value of batteries for the grid.
