The International Energy Agency released a report that looks at imbalances in the solar panel supply chain. It found that manufacturing of parts is largely fueled by fossil fuels in Chinese production but that solar panels still only need to operate for 4-8 months to offset their manufacturing emissions. The report also pushes for increased decarbonization of supplies and diversification of supply chains for solar to further reduce the footprint.
Forbes offered up an in-depth analysis of the current panel supply chain issues as they relate to industry growth, tariffs, and President Biden’s recent actions. They discuss recent industry struggles around supply and dig into the impact of tariffs and Biden’s recent decision to grant a 2 year stay on tariffs.
This Solar Builder article argues that value engineering is something that should be employed all through a project, not just in the initial phases, as the best way to decrease cost and increase value. Three prime ways to do this are 1) reducing excess equipment during the utility interconnect application process, 2) cutting out redundant equipment procurement, and 3) mitigating cable cost and keeping an eye on future O&M as you design.
This video, Smart Energy Storage + Modeling Solutions with Stem and AlsoEnergy, discusses Stem’s energy storage offerings in C&I as well AlsoEnergy’s PowerTrack PCLS 400 and 600 for the commercial market. The video also dives into best practices for EPCs looking to up their game around solar and storage.
In this first video in the 6-part series on why nonprofits and their installers go solar with CollectiveSun, Nicole Withrow of CollectiveSun and Kerim Baran of SolarAcademy discuss the unique discount offered by CollectiveSun for nonprofits seeking to go solar.
This ninth video in a ten-part training series of key concepts for people looking to buy a solar system has Kerim Baran of SolarAcademy describing the best sources for nonprofits looking to find contractors to work with when they go solar. The entire series can be viewed here.