Solar

  • 10 Near-Term Global Power Sector Trends

    While 2021 provided its own share of extraordinary energy debacles, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 cascaded into full-blown energy turmoil. This year will begin with the world “in the midst of

  • Identifying State-Focused Renewable Energy Tax Exemptions

    President Joe Biden last year signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that, in addition to a number of other actions, extended and enhanced a number of green energy tax opportunities. Notably, it extended the

  • China Breaks Ground on Massive 16-GW Solar, Wind, Coal Project

    A massive, multibillion-dollar renewable and fossil-fuel energy project is underway in China. The installation, being built by China Three Gorges (CTG), includes wind, solar, energy storage and coal-fired power generation. Ground was broken for the first pilot of the Kubuqi Base project in Dalate Banner, Ordos, Inner Mongolia on Dec. 28, 2022, according to Chinese […]

  • Biden Administration Rolls Out ‘Durable’ WOTUS Definition in Final Rule

    The Biden administration has rolled out in a final what it says is a “durable” definition of “waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS), potentially capping a legal and political battle that has raged for nearly two decades. The final rule issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army on […]

  • The 12 Most-Read POWER Global Monitor Articles of 2022

    Every month, POWER magazine publishes several articles in its Global Monitor section covering topics important to the electric power generation industry. The articles typically feature interesting updates on progress made at notable projects around the world, big policy changes, or promising research and development (R&D) news. Short notes about major contracts are also touched on […]

  • Covering More with Less: Securing Renewable Energy Sources

    A wide range of industries fall under the umbrella of critical infrastructure, and they are all—as the name implies—critical. From energy production and water treatment to transportation and data storage, everything within critical infrastructure serves an essential purpose when it comes to the continued functioning of the nation. Unfortunately, that makes critical infrastructure sites a […]

  • New Report Shows EU Solar Installations Rise Nearly 50%

    A new report from industry group SolarPower Europe shows that solar installations in the European Union increased by almost 50% year-over-year in 2022, to a record 41.4 GW of generation capacity. “The numbers are clear. Solar is offering a lifeline amid energy and climate crises,” said Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe. “No other energy […]

  • The POWER Interview: What Energy Consumers Want from Utilities

    EY earlier this month released the findings from its Energy Consumer Survey 2022. The report is “focused on how energy impacts the lifestyles and wallets of consumers,” according to the company. EY is the trade name for Ernst & Young, the multinational professional services group headquartered in London, UK. The report is based on a […]

  • Renewable Properties Acquires Over 40 MW of Maine Community Solar Projects from NextGrid

    San Francisco, California (Dec. 5, 2022) — Renewable Properties, a developer and investor in small-scale utility and community solar projects, is expanding its portfolio in the Maine market, adding a third tranche of projects to the portfolio of Maine community solar projects acquired from NextGrid, a renewable energy company that develops and operates distributed solar energy […]

  • Hybrids Combine Technologies to Enhance Electricity Production

    Solar + wind, solar + storage, wind + storage—even fossil fuels combined with renewable energy—are supporting the growth of hybrid power plants that are breaking the norms of traditional power generation

  • Major Energy Players Seal Big Deals for Renewables

    The world’s oil and gas majors, along with some of the largest utility companies, continue to invest in renewable energy as they develop diversified power generation project portfolios. Among the latest is

  • Projects Underway as Part of UK’s Hydrogen Plan

    The UK has a broad plan to develop a hydrogen economy as a feature of its commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Energy analysts have said hydrogen not only could fuel the country’s

  • Large Hydro Station Wins POWER’s Highest Honor, 21 Additional Outstanding Projects Recognized in 2022

    It’s always difficult to select winners from the field of nominations submitted to POWER for its annual awards, and this year was no exception. The Wudongde Hydropower Station was the big winner, while

  • POWER Digest [December 2022]

    Qatar Inaugurates the Country’s First Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant. With Essa bin Hilal Al-Kuwari, president of Qatar General Electricity & Water Corp. (Kahramaa); Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi

  • Tracker Configurations for Bifacial Modules Support Distributed Generation Sites

    Industry trends toward bigger and heavier modules, along with greater adoption of bifacial technology, are changing the way designers of solar power sites are thinking about tracking systems. Distributed

  • Reduce Plant Fuel Use, Emissions, and Operating Cost with Performance Models and Predictive Maintenance

    Thermal power generation has to adapt new methods to thrive as renewables transform dispatch. Now used more often as a bridge source of power rather than the main source of power, many fossil fuel plants

  • Four Large-Scale Solar Projects Fined $1.34M for Alleged Clean Water Act Violations

    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have settled to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Water Act with four separate large-scale solar farm owners in Alabama, Idaho, and Illinois. The solar farm owners—all subsidiaries of large international finance and investment companies—used a common construction contractor for their farms. The federal […]

  • Group Readies for Construction of Europe’s Largest Solar Farm

    An independent power producer (IPP) formed earlier this year and backed by a leading global renewable energy investment firm announced it will build what is expected to be the largest solar photovoltaic power plant in Europe. Rezolv Energy on Nov. 4 said it had acquired the rights to build and operate a 1,044-MW solar PV […]

  • Major investments in wind, solar and battery storage key features of final Minnesota Power long-range energy plan

    SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA  – The newly approved long-range energy plan for Minnesota’s second largest public utility company reflects an exciting agreement reached between Minnesota Power, Clean Energy Organizations, labor unions, industrial customers, and the Boswell coal plant host communities to more quickly transition towards a reliable and carbon free electric system that works for everyone.  […]

  • TVA Will Explore Building Utility-Scale Solar on Closed Coal Ash Sites

    The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) will pursue a first-of-its-kind pilot program at the Shawnee Fossil Plant in West Paducah, Kentucky, to determine if closed coal ash sites are suitable for utility-scale solar projects. The self-funded U.S. corporate agency’s board on Nov. 10 unanimously approved a $216 million pilot project to explore repurposing the 1,071-MW coal-fired power […]

  • The POWER Interview: A Renewed Shift in Energy Investing

    Companies involved in energy production continually look to maximize their investments, and today are tasked with navigating increasingly volatile energy markets. These companies must choose where and how to compete as the world transitions to a low-carbon future. Where are the best opportunities for investment? How important is seeking out positions that reduce exposure to […]

  • China Unveils World’s First Commercial Offshore Wind-Plus-Solar Project

    A pilot project in the waters off China, featuring two floating solar power arrays connected to a transformer on a moored offshore wind turbine, will test the viability of the technology in an area prone to typhoons. China’s government-owned State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) on Nov. 1 announced it had commissioned the project, calling it […]

  • Inovateus Solar Awarded EPC Contract to Build 28-MW Solar Project for the Cincinnati Zoo

    South Bend, IN – November 2, 2022 – Inovateus Solar has been awarded the prime EPC contract to build a 28 MW solar array on over 230 acres against the backdrop of the historic Cincinnati Zoo in Lebanon, Ohio. The project was initially developed by Melink Solar Development and Soltage, LLC and is owned by […]

  • How Rural Communities Can Benefit from the Energy Transition

    Economic development can be a challenge for leaders in rural communities. Often, it’s hard to attract businesses to rural areas because the local workforce may not have the skills or numbers required to meet companies’ needs. But opportunities that haven’t been widely available in the past exist today for rural communities due to the energy […]

  • Avantus and Allianz Capital Partners Announce Completion of Sale for Galloway 2 Solar Project

    AUSTIN, Texas (Nov. 3, 2022) — Avantus (formerly 8minute) announced it has completed the sale of the 147-megawatt (MWdc) Galloway 2 Solar Project to Allianz Capital Partners, one of the Allianz Group’s asset managers for alternative equity investments. Located in Concho County in Central Texas, Galloway 2 is expected to inject tens of millions of […]

  • TVA, Silicon Ranch, DENSO Move Forward on Four Tennessee Solar Sites

    A supplier of equipment to the e-mobility industry, including electric vehicles (EVs), joined with one of the largest U.S. independent power producers at a groundbreaking for the first of four solar power farms that will provide electricity for the manufacturer’s campus. DENSO, headquartered in Japan and with one of its U.S. manufacturing plants in Maryville, […]

  • Webinar Brief: Clearing the Air with GE Digital

      Daniel Hynum discussed operational challenges that utilities face as the power grid shifts to renewables, and how GE Fleet Orchestration can help address those challenges. KEY TAKEAWAYS Market shifts create challenges for vertical integration of utilities’ operations. There is a major energy transition taking place in power grids around the world. As the market moves toward […]

  • Fulcrum 3D sheds light on solving U.S. solar industry’s underperformance

    U.S. solar developers can address a number of crucial underperformance issues identified in kWh Analytics’ Solar Risk Assessment: 2022 through the adoption of pre-build resource assessments that utilize site-based measurement campaigns, according to Fulcrum 3D. kWh Analytics’ Solar Risk Assessment: 2022 report called on the U.S. solar industry to identify new solutions to issues causing underperformance across the industry. Despite […]

  • ACWA Power set to enter Indonesia with two floating solar PV projects

    Saguling and Singkarak projects represent a 110MWac combined capacity and US$105million in investment value Facilities are ACWA Power’s first floating solar PV projects in its 60+asset portfolio Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, November 01, 2022:  ACWA Power Company, a leading Saudi developer, investor, and operator of power generation, water desalination and green hydrogen plants, today announced […]

  • Idiot or Maniac: Where Does Your Power Company Fit in the Discussion?

    It’s kind of exciting to be able to write that events are back in full swing. In case you missed it, POWER hosted the co-located Experience POWER, Distributed Energy Conference, and HydrogeNext events, Oct