Inverters with grid-forming controls can provide support functions on power grids with very large amounts of renewable, inverter-based resources like solar, wind and batteries. They can sense and respond to changes on the grid in real time, something that enables a network of solar energy systems to designate a subset of its inverters to operate in grid-forming mode while the rest follow their lead. That means more stable grid voltages and frequencies during disturbances and disruptions.
California Assemblymember Connolly has introduced new legislation to reduce fees and taxes on resi solar projects and restore incentives to state residents that were recently diminished by NEM 3.0. The bill would repeal the NEM 3.0 decision and require the CPUC to create a new rule structure based on the clean energy goals set by Senate Bill (SB) 100, which committed the state to achieving 100% clean carbon-free energy by 2045.
Solar Builder lays out the current state of the solar workforce and how it is being nurtured. They talk about upskilling through formal apprenticeship programs and other ways of entering the workforce, ensuring diversity and offer up stats by category.
SolarReviews has released its latest ranking of top ten solar panel brands serving the US market. They rank them based on weighted metrics like value, quality, U.S. investment, and more. The lineup: Qcells, Silfab Solar, JA Solar, JinkoSolar, Canadian Solar, Longi, Panasonic, REC, Maxeon, and SEG Solar.
The U.S. International Trade Commission released a report on the effectiveness of tariffs on CSPV cell and module imports, which will be sent to Biden and Congress. They acknowledged seven developments that have impacted the industry since the round initiated in 2022 by Biden. These include announcements of plans to start domestic CSPV cell production in the near term, increased imports of CSPV cells and modules and rising prices for them, a shift toward primarily bifacial CSPV cells and modules, decreased employment in the sector, and increased investments in it from the IRA passage.
SnapNrack has released its AnchorFoot roof attachment and DeckAnchor fasteners that are meant to be used in tandem with the company’s Ultra Rail mounting system. This offering expands SnapNrack’s roof attachment portfolio for direct-to-deck mounting, with AnchorFoot tapping the company’s SpeedSeal+ technology that includes a 0.2” thick butyl peel-and-stick pad shipping pre-installed.
EagleView’s has new tech called SolarReady meant to help contractors assess the solar potential of every home in an entire block in just a few minutes. In this video, the company gives an overview of soft cost challenges and their general offerings around “install-ready” designs. Then they look at what sets SolarReady apart from other solar assessment tools, walk through how it works, and discuss case studies as well as how the tech impacts contractor profitability. The video is below.