Jobs in renewables paid 25% more than the national median wage and were more likely to offer retirement benefits and health care and be unionized. Last year the median hourly wage was $23.89 vs. $19.14 for the national wage. Solar energy workers earned $24.48 an hour.
Trina Solar has received the world’s first IEC certification for their PV module manufacturing quality system. This IEC 62941 cert is the industry’s only quality system management standard with stronger applicability, operability and tech for module design and development.
The U.S. Court of International Trade placed a temporary restraining order on Trump’s extension of Section 201 tariffs to two-sided solar panels. It’s not clear how this will be handled now that the Supreme Court has Coney Barrett or if Biden is elected.
Biden summed up his vision for the energy transition in a podcast. He included supporting an equitable energy transition, upgrading the infrastructure for energy transmission, and joining the Paris climate accord. He stated that “Climate change is the existential threat to humanity.”
Solar and storage design software giant Aurora Solar passed the 4 million project mark, going from 3 to 4 million in only six months. The majority of solar companies use at least one third-party software created for PV system design – an indicator the industry is maturing.
FERC’s order to open the US wholesale energy markets to aggregated rooftop solar, etc. positions intelligent energy management as the key tech to provide the needed behind-the-meter, bi-directional platforms to efficiently integrate renewables with the grid.
Regardless of the results of the 2021 election climate policies will probably face difficulties as they make their way through Congress. This includes the same barriers in the Senate as Democrats would only hold it by a slim margin and sweeping change could face the filibuster.
Solar Builder’s 2021 Solar PV Module Buyer’s Guide has a detailed roundup of the latest tech and product updates for res and C&I modules from the major manufacturers. Includes info on Hanwha Q CELLS, Panasonic’s N330E HIT Black Series, and Solaria’s PowerXT 400W.
Three solar company CEOs talked about how they weather a recession: tap the advice of your C level execs because they can have the long view, use outside expertes (like economists) to help with prep, prioritize employee health, and balance work/life carefully.
Solar and EVs have a lot in common: similar growth trajectory, policy needs and barriers to widespread adoption. Both benefit from the evolution of rapid tech and grid modernization plus TOU rates and proper valuation. Both advocate for competitive access to broader benefits.