T1 Energy and Corning have created a partnership for a fully domestic solar supply chain that includes polysilicon, wafers, cells, and panels manufactured in the US. T1 will source hyper-pure polysilicon and solar wafers produced by Corning at its MI campus, and Corning wafers will be delivered to T1’s G2 Austin solar cell facility. The cells will then be used to manufacture solar modules at T1’s operational G1 Dallas site.
This article looks at why groundmount systems are sometimes better for homeowners than rooftop. Factors include cost, safety for workers, maintenance issues, homeowner engagement, and efficiency.
DG Matrix (and a few other companies) has been able to build solid-state transformers for real-world applications as a universal adapter for solar, batteries, EVs, and microgrids. The desire is to meet a need in the C&I market. DG Matrix is building a NC factory set to produce 1,000 units each year late this year.
This SPW article talks about the benefits of coaching solar teams re Lean Fundamentals as a cost savings and efficiency framework. It talks about the basics around all team members speaking the same “lean language” and then using specific lean tools like value stream mapping and “takt,” the pace at which a task or process must be completed to meet customer expectations.
The resi sector is experiencing a surge as homeowners race to go solar before the ITC expires. One installer saw a three to fourfold increase in requests for quotes “overnight” after Trump signed the OBBB. The surge, though, is thought to be temporary.
The DOT issued guidance on the “start of construction” rules for solar projects wanting to safe harbor the 48E ITC and 45Y PTC. Apparently, the new guidance makes it harder for projects to qualify for credits, but the changes aren’t as bad as rumored. Treasury discarded the bright-line 5% capital expenditure test for starting construction of solar projects over 1.5 MW, and projects under 1.5 MW can still achieve tax credit eligibility by showing a 5% capital expenditure.
Baywa re talks with SMA America and American Solar and Roofing re the ins and outs of repowering aging systems. They define what it is and how it looks as a business model for existing customers and orphaned systems. They also discuss best practices for quoting repowering jobs, why repowering matters right now, customer acquisition for it, what your team needs and more. The video is below.
