Solar Builder has released their 2023 Ground-Mount BOS Buyer’s Guide in which they cover both structural balance of systems and electrical balance of systems. They lay out some current trends such as terrain following trackers, elevation, above ground cable management, and the growth of utility-scale players. They then run through top brands and their offerings.
NREL has certified a triple junction perovskite solar cell that has achieved a record 24.3% efficiency with an open-circuity voltage of 3.21 V. Developed by scientists from Canada, the US, and the UK, the cells retained 80% of their initial efficiency after 420 hours of operation at the maximum power point.
SPW has a helpful series on cable sizing. The first part focuses on inverter output conductors and recommends designing for true AC output ampere requirements and not wasting money, which may include thinking outside of NEC parameters. The second part focuses on safely reducing cable sizes to maximize project returns – recommending understanding anticipated year-long variations in PV system behavior.
EnergySage reviews panel offerings from two manufacturers: Tesla and CertainTeed. Tesla panel efficiency range is from 19.3% – 20.6%, and cost is $3.03 to $3.35/W, bringing it to $29,088 to $32,160 for a 9.6 kW system before the ITC. They offer 4 pre-set sizes: 4.8 kilowatts (kW), 9.6 kW, 14.4 kW, and 19.2 kW. CertainTeed panel efficiency ranges from 16% – 20.21% with cost at $2.54 to $3.28/W.
The DOE has selected 5 higher ed institutions to serve as Centers of Excellence for its Industrial Assessment Centers Program in order to boost training in solar and other green tech manufacturing. They will receive a total of $18.7 million in funding. Also, another $54 million will expand the IAC Program to community colleges, trade schools, and union training programs, and form Building Training and Assessment Centers at many higher ed institutions.
In the fourth of a nine part SunCast/SolarAcademy solar conversation, Ted Thomas, founder of Energized Strategies and former chair of the Arkansas Public Service Commission, explores the concept of natural monopolies in industries like electricity, gas, and telecom, and how regulation is necessary to ensure universal service and fair pricing for consumers. He explains how the transmission and distribution systems in the US are privately owned but with public access for service delivery. The video is below.
In this fifth of nine excerpts from a SunCast/SolarAcademy solar conversation between solar industry veterans Jon Bonanno, Kerim Baran, and CEO of Caelux Scott Graybeal, Scott dives further into their unique tech to demonstrate how they offer maximum value to customers. The video is below.