Solar

  • Texas Cooperatives Agree to Purchase 7 MW of Distribution-Scale Solar Energy

    Innovative arrangement will help customers capture clean energy at competitive prices while strengthening resilience of local electric grid   RMI announces e–Lab Forge: Texas 2019 event Sept. 16–18 to support local procurement of new clean energy technologies   Also unveils new Solar Procurement Framework portal, offering an easy-to-use, step-by-step guide for prospective buyers of distribution-scale solar projects AUSTIN, Texas, May 21—Five electric distribution cooperatives […]

  • GE Is Banking on Africa’s Burgeoning Power Market

    Sub-Saharan Africa’s power generation capacity is projected to surge 4% annually through 2040, and its current energy mix—which is today dominated by hydro and coal—will likely be more diversified as interest rises in renewables such as solar and wind, General Electric (GE) said in a white paper surveying market opportunities in the region that it […]

  • Siemens selected by DOE for $6.4 million project to strengthen resilience of U.S. power system and critical infrastructure

    Siemens Corporate Technology (CT) US, Siemens central research and development (R&D) unit in the U.S., announced it was selected for a $6.4 million research award from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) to advance solar energy’s role in strengthening the resilience of the U.S. electricity grid. This project will create an […]

  • Arctech Solar Inks Supply Deal for Landmark 125-MW Solar Power Plant in Oman

    SHANGHAI, May 13, 2019 — Arctech Solar, a leading solar tracking and racking system provider, announced that it will supply 125 megawatt (MW) solar trackers to a solar power plant in Oman, Middle East. Located in the southern city of Amin, the plant will be commissioned by the end of 2019 and will power Petroleum Development Oman’s interior operations […]

  • EIA: Gas, Renewables Outpacing Coal for Power Generation

    The percentage of coal-fired generation in the U.S. electricity mix will continue to decline, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said May 9, with gas-fired generation accounting for at least 40% of the nation’s power this summer and output from renewables continuing to rise. EIA’s latest Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) said coal-fired units will produce only […]

  • ERCOT Warns of Summer Emergency Conditions as Demand Continues to Soar

    The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has issued a fresh warning that continued “above-normal” growth in electric demand could require it to enter Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) status to maintain system reliability this summer.  As it released its final Seasonal Assessment of Resource Adequacy (SARA) for the upcoming summer season (June to September), a preliminary […]

  • UK Milestone: One Week Without Coal-Fired Generation

    The UK has gone a week without using electricity from coal-fired generation, according to the National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO), which oversees the power network in England, Wales, and Scotland. Government officials said it’s the first time the UK has gone without coal in a week-long period since 1882, when a coal-fired plant opened […]

  • Energy Storage Changes the Power Profile

    The power grid is a pretty complex system. Electricity is generally produced on an as-needed basis. Generators ramp up and down based on demand. However, energy storage systems are beginning to change how

  • Sempra Energy Exits U.S. Renewables Sector

    Sempra Energy on April 22 marked its complete exit from the U.S. renewables business as it completed the sale of 724 MW of operating wind generation and battery assets to American Electric Power (AEP) for $1.05 billion.  The San Diego–headquartered utility holding company, which says it has the largest U.S. customer base, said the move […]

  • Generating a Winning Plan for Sustainability

    Managing the power load of a Las Vegas casino might seem a daunting task. MGM Resorts International, which operates several iconic properties on the city’s famous strip along with other hospitality and entertainment venues worldwide, took matters into its own hands a few years ago as it tried to control its energy costs and also […]

  • PURE SAFETY GROUP UNVEILS LATEST SELF-RETRACTING LIFELINES

    HOUSTON (Apr. 22, 2019) — Pure Safety Group (PSG), the largest company dedicated solely to fall protection, has unveiled a new lineup of three self-retracting lifelines (SRLs). The SRLs are part of the company’s robust schedule of new product launches in 2019, during which it will release more than 20 new products for keeping workers […]

  • Duke Energy Projects Lead Carolinas’ Solar Expansion

    Duke Energy on April 17 announced it will develop six utility-scale solar power projects in North Carolina, among 14 solar projects chosen as part of the state’s Competitive Procurement of Renewable Energy (CPRE) program. The 14 projects—10 in North Carolina and four in South Carolina—could cost as much as $772.5 million to build according to […]

  • GE Renewable Energy to Implement DC-Coupled Solar and Battery Energy Storage Hybrid System in Upstate New York

    PHOENIX, Arizona (April 15, 2019) — GE Renewable Energy today said is has reached an agreement with Helios Energy to deliver two energy storage systems to be integrated with solar arrays for the Lenox Solar / Energy Storage project in Lenox, NY. The hybrid system will be installed in upstate New York at the end […]

  • Storage ITC Bill Gains Key Industry Backers

    Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House that would expand the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) to energy storage technologies has gained the backing of major trade groups  representing the solar, hydropower, and wind sectors. The Energy Storage Tax Incentive and Deployment Act (H.R. 2096), introduced on April 4 by Reps. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.), […]

  • POWER Notebook: New 1,600-MW Coal Plant in India; Low-Price Solar Deal in Idaho

    Financing has reportedly been secured for a 1,600-MW coal-fired power plant in India’s eastern state of Jharkhand. Qatar’s Gulf Times newspaper reported April 6 that Power Finance Corp., a state-run lender in India, and its subsidiary REC approved a $1.5 billion loan for the project. The report said the new plant would be funded through loans […]

  • How the DOE Is Looking to Save Hydropower

    The Department of Energy (DOE) unveiled a slate of measures to help U.S. hydropower thrive as costs for wind and solar plummet. Measures will include a roadmap to identify hydro’s value in a future grid, and a first-of-its-kind prize designed to encourage innovative and faster pumped storage construction techniques. In her opening speech at Waterpower […]

  • FPL Will Build World’s Largest Battery Storage System

    Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL) has been building new solar farms and bringing gigawatts of new natural gas-fired generation capacity online in recent years. Now the utility has announced what it calls the world’s largest solar-powered battery storage system. FPL on March 28 said the Manatee Energy Storage Center, a 409-MW/900-MWh battery storage facility, […]

  • Sharp Introduces New High Efficiency (19.1%) Mono PV Modules

    3 April 2018 – Sharp today launches three new monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) panels to the NU product family. The renewed line-up of high performing modules offer customers a solution for every application, from residential projects up to large-scale commercial installations and free-field power plants. The following three modules are available to buy now from […]

  • Introducing the Spectrum of Utility Solar Actions

    Consumer interest in rooftop solar is higher than ever. The most recent numbers from Pew Research show 89% of U.S. adults favor the expanded use of solar power, while only 9% oppose. Historically, this interest has only been met by solar salespeople, which can create a consumer protection risk. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken notice: […]

  • What Are Supercritical CO2 Power Cycles?

    While conventional power plant cycles produce power from turbines using water or steam as the working fluid, supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) cycles use CO2 that is in a supercritical state—at a temperature and pressure above its critical point where liquid and gas phases are not distinguishable.  CO2 has a relatively low critical pressure of 7.4 megapascal […]

  • Off-Grid Microgrid: Solar + Batteries + Thermal Generation

    Today’s microgrid installations showcase a variety of configurations and control systems. Commercial and industrial sites are finding innovative ways to power their operations, particularly those in remote

  • Using Infrared Drone Technology to Inspect Solar Panels and Wind Turbines

    An East Coast industrial plant had for months experienced a significant dropoff in energy production from its 36,000-square-foot solar field. The plant’s maintenance team had been unable to find any problems

  • Show Preview: ELECTRIC POWER

    The ELECTRIC POWER Conference + Exhibition celebrates its 21st birthday this year, with the event scheduled for April 23–26 at the Mirage Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. ELECTRIC POWER for the past two

  • Chile’s Innovative Floating PV Project on AngloAmerican’s Tailings Pond

    Chile has its first floating solar farm installed and on a brand-new type of site: a tailings pond, owned by the mining giant AngloAmerican. Located at Los Bronces mines, north of Santiago, the 84 kWp pilot should generate 153 MWh per year for the company’s energy needs. The project, developed by Lenergie and for which […]

  • Solar Power Is Economical Today, but Comes With Challenges

    Depending on the deployment location and competing energy prices, photovoltaic solar panels are among the most cost-effective power solutions being added to the grid today, often without subsidies and other incentives. The revelation came during a panel discussion—which included several CEOs from the power sector—that took place at the Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) Summit […]

  • Trump Ended War on Fossil Fuels, but Focus Needed on CCS [PODCAST]

    The United States Energy Association (USEA) is an association of public and private energy-related organizations, corporations, and government agencies that helps increase understanding of the world’s energy issues. Barry Worthington has been the executive director of the USEA for more than 30 years. During that time, he has seen the association grow from a two-person, […]

  • GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES SELECTION OF DEVELOPER TO INSTALL ROOFTOP SOLAR ARRAYS AT JAVITS CENTER

    Siemens to Design and Construct 1.4 MW Renewable Energy Project on Green Roof of Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Largest Rooftop Solar Installation in New York City Advances Governor’s Nation-Leading Clean Energy andJobs Agenda That Puts New York on a Path to Carbon Neutrality Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the selection of a developer to […]

  • RES Breaks Ground on America’s Largest Bifacial Solar Farm

    The 160 MWac project in Georgia ushers in a new era of high-efficiency solar. 21 March 2019 – RES (Renewable Energy Systems), a leader in the engineering and construction of wind, solar, transmission, and energy storage projects worldwide, has announced the start of construction on the Southern Oak Solar Project in the state of Georgia. […]

  • How a Major Resort Owner Manages Its Power [PODCAST]

    MGM Resorts International took a bold step in 2016 when it ended its energy-buying relationship with NV Energy and instead chose to purchase electricity from private providers. The company’s decision was driven by a desire to slash bills and boost renewables. Henry Shields, executive director of finance and analysis in the Corporate Sustainability division of […]