Solar ingot and wafer manufacturing coming to Oklahoma The Norwegian company, Norsun, announced an investment of $620 million in a 5 GW ingot and wafer facility planned in Tulsa.

People on the move: Spruce Power, ConnectDER, Amp Energy and more Job moves in solar, storage, cleantech, utilities and energy transition finance.

pv magazine interview: ‘Oversupply issues may continue in 2025’ As part of our Intersolar 2024 interview series, pv magazine spoke with Amy Fang, Senior PV analyst at InfoLink Consulting, about new solar factories coming online and decreasing solar modules prices. She says the downward trend may continue until the first half of next year, with prices reaching $0.07/W, and estimates global module demand for this year could reached between 470 GW and 500 GW.

Back contact solar beats mono PERC at lifetime energy generation A new analysis finds that back contact solar shows an average lifetime energy generation increase of 16.0% over mono PERC. The paper also says back contact had an average 9.7% shorter payback time and 10.7% lower LCOE across all modelled locations.

New York governor urged to double solar deployment goal Currently New York has a state target of 10 GW deployed by 2030. The state’s Solar Energy Industries Association has called for a new target of 20 GW of distributed solar by 2035.

World4Solar held a launch event at its warehouse in Miami, Florida to introduce HelioWing, a pre-constructed solar canopy structure.

The HelioWing is available in two base models, HelioWing 5 with 7.38 kWp and the HelioWing 7 with 9.84 kWp. The HelioWing 7 roof is made of 24 Aptos 400 W bifacial solar panels. The company uses Sol-Ark 12kW hybrid 2-phase inverters for its canopy.

The canopy design can be customized with features like storage capacity or a carport with a built-in EV charger. The modular energy systems come preassembled and preconfigured. The unit comes equipped with motion sensor LED light strips.

HelioWing 7 measures 22.7 feet by 22.4 feet by 13.10 feet and has a 500 square foot gap-free solar roof.

World4Solar noted that the canopy should take about six hours to install, when set up by a certified installer on a prepared foundation. The HelioWing can be used grid-tied or off-grid. To operate off-grid, or to store electricity for later use, battery packs are available ranging from 8.3 to 24.9 kWh.

Two available Level 2 chargers per unit work with all electric vehicles and add 25 miles average of range per hour of charging.

HelioWing is waterproof rated and has an average 20-year life span. The system comes with a 10-year warranty. The main structure is listed at MSRP $37,180, while the modules are priced at $5,044 and the inverters $6,825. A Tesla level 2 EV charger is priced at $1,625 while the battery system can range from about $7,500 to over $18,000 depending on products selected. The company also offers what it calls a “hurricane-hardened” canopy.

GCL Perovskite, a branch of GCL Tech within the GCL Poly and GCL Solar group, introduced their latest perovskite and perovskite-silicon tandem solar modules. A key highlight was the public IEC test documentation, indicating they may have conquered the perovskite degradation challenge. The company plans to incorporate this technology in the top layer of their tandem modules, aiming for efficiencies above 27% in limited deployment testing next year.

The Solar Roll by Apollo, featured in the main image above, is a flexible roll measuring 20.1 feet in length and 6.6 feet in width. This innovative setup combines six 300-watt solar panels into a 1.8 kW array capable of generating more than 10 kWh in a single day. The unit, equipped with MC4 connectors, is designed for easy integration with any standard solar inverter.

Throughout the three days of Intersolar, as detailed on the pv magazine Intersolar Live Blog pages – Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 – attendees witness an impressive array of battery products. Numerous manufacturers showcased their latest offerings, particularly focusing on home battery solutions.

EcoFlow’s latest release, the PowerOcean Plus, represents a significant increase in residential system size and capacity. This smart hybrid inverter can manage up to 40 kW solar input with a 29.9kW AC output. Notably, it can support up to 60 kWh of battery capacity, 15 kWh more than its predecessor. Kevin Benedict, EcoFlow’s product and solutions manager, explained that this upgrade was a direct response to customer demand for larger systems to optimize home solar use and EV charging.

The presence of electric vehicles and their charging infrastructure was also a focal point at the event.

The Evum-motor aCar, showcased with a solar panel cleaning robot strapped to its flatbed, is tailored for operations and maintenance tasks. Starting at €33,990, this versatile vehicle is offered in several configurations: the base model features a 16.5 kWh battery with a range of 91 km. Additional options include a 23 kWh battery, which extends the range to approximately 128 km for an additional €4,290, and a 33 kWh battery that offers up to 203 km for an additional €10,890. Available in six base packages, the aCar punches above its weight with a payload capacity of 1,100 kg and a towing capacity up to 1,500 kg.

The aCar’s design, including its 1.5 meter width, allows it to fit comfortably between the rows of panels on solar farms, enhancing its utility. Its low-speed torque is specifically advantageous for traversing loose and steep terrain, facilitating the transport of essential hardware and personnel to less accessible areas. The inclusion of the solar panel cleaning robot underscores the vehicle’s practical application in maintaining and operating remote or large-scale solar operations.

Electric bike charger econec shared three electric bike chargers: the eBike Box micro for home use, eBike Box mini C for businesses, (featured in the image below), and eBike Box Vision for public charging. A notable feature of these systems is their customizable charger. Representatives noted that the e-bike industry has around 25 charging standards, with the public charging model, the eBike Box Vision, accommodating up to five unique plugs. Although Bosch dominates the market with 50% to 60% of all charger adapters, it offers two different types of connectors. Currently focused primarily on the European market, Econec is actively seeking U.S. partners as it works to expand its certifications.

Aiko is poised to launch the ABC Infinite Gen 3 solar module range, with efficiencies ranging from 24.2% to 25.2% in the fourth quarter. The standout 650 watt module, featuring 25.2% efficiency, aims to be the highest efficiency module globally upon its release. These products will be produced in the company’s two manufacturing facilities, with capacities of 10 GW and 14 GW of modules per year. A significant efficiency enhancement in these modules is the relocation of the busbars to the backside of the solar panels. While this adjustment reduces the bifaciality value to nearly 70%, it opens more silicon to face the sun on the front site, white significantly improving shade management capabilities.

Georg Giglinger, an environmental engineer, shared via Twitter what may have been the highest wattage module at Intersolar: Tongwei’s 765.18 watt rated, 24.63% efficiency panel.

Announced directly from the floor in Munich, Germany, Nextracker has acquired specialty ground screw manufacturer Ojjo in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $119 million. Ojjo’s truss systems are designed to use half the steel of conventional foundations, aim to reduce grading requirements, and would be the foundation that supports NexTracker’s motors and torque tubes.

The pv magazine team at Intersolar Munich 2024 included over 30 representatives from regions such as Ireland, England, Western and Southern Germany, the U.S., among others.

Maine may design a distribution system operator to advance distributed energy resources Maine has hired a consulting firm to evaluate whether forming a distribution system operator could speed deployment of distributed energy resources and support other state goals. Consultants are reviewing how the approach is used in five other countries.

New platform vets residential solar salespeople An industry plagued by deceptive practices is now verifying salespeople via a platform called Recheck.

Summit Ridge to procure 800 MW of Qcells solar panels The recent agreement brings the total to 2 GW of solar modules that the community solar specialist will purchase from Qcells, mostly manufactured in its facility in Georgia.

More solar installations coming to U.S. military bases In a partnership with Duke Energy valued at an estimated $248 million, the U.S. Department of Defense will be the exclusive purchaser of all output generated by two new solar facilities, which will serve five military bases.

Siting solar projects for best environmental results A new white paper from Clearloop identifies key U.S. regions for best carbon displacement impact of new clean energy projects.

Top solar panel brands in reliability, quality, and performance Solar modules are evaluated in the Renewable Energy Test Center annual PV Module Index.

pv magazine interview: ‘In the next year, some of these guys are going to be bankrupt’ At Intersolar in Munich, pv magazine spoke with Jenny Chase, solar analyst at BloombergNEF, about the incredibly low polysilicon prices, massive overcapacity, and increasing consolidation. According to Chase, this year there will be enough polysilicon capacity to produce 1.1 TW of solar modules, but global module demand is expected to reach around 585 GW. 

The Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC) released its 2024 PV Module Index report, evaluating the reliability, quality, and performance of solar panels.

Solar modules are put through a variety of accelerated stress tests to evaluate these parameters. Through comparative test results, project stakeholders can select products best suited for a particular environment, location, or portfolio.

To identify the best of the best, RETC reviewed and ranked the overall data distributions across three disciplines: quality, performance, and reliability. Find the overall top performers at the end of this report.

Reliability

Backsheet ultraviolet durability

Top performers: JA Solar, Longi Solar, SolarSpace

Backsheet ultraviolet durability (BUDT) incorporates a durability testing sequence to probe glass-on-backsheet PV module designs for vulnerabilities to UV exposure and prevent backsheet-related failures. This BUDT sequence starts with 1,000 hours of damp heat exposure to weaken polymeric bonds.

Highlighted top performers experience no backsheet cracking in the test.

Damp heat test

Top performers: Astronergy, ES Foundry, Longi Solar, Runergy, and Trina Solar

The RETC thresher test includes a damp heat test that exposes modules for 2,000 hours, double the amount required for product certification. The test evaluates a module’s ability to withstand prolonged exposure to humid, high-temperature environments. Taking place inside an environmental chamber, the test exposes modules to a controlled temperature of 85 C (185 F) and a relative humidity of 85% for a set amount of time.

RETC highlighted performers that experienced less than 2% degradation after this exposure.

Hail durability

Top performers: JA Solar, Longi Solar

RETC’s hail durability test takes UL and IEC standards testing a step further, exposing solar modules to higher kinetic impact to reflect the risk posed by hail over a 25 or 30-year operating life. In addition to ballistic impact testing, RETC runs thermal cycle and hot-spot tests to reveal potential long-term module degradation.

The top performers in this category withstood an effective kinetic energy of 20 Joules or more. These modules effectively demonstrated resistance to a 45 mm (1.8 in.) iceball traveling at a terminal velocity of 30.7 m/s (68.7 mph).

Potential induced degradation (PID) 

Top performers: Astronergy, ES Foundry, GEP VN, Gstar, JA Solar, Longi Solar, Qcells, REC Solar, Runergy, SEG Solar, Silfab Solar, SolarSpace, Talesun, Trina Solar, VSUN Solar, and Yingli Solar

Potential induced degradation (PID) resistance tests rack-mounted modules in an environmental chamber, which controls temperature and humidity and exposes them to a voltage bias of several hundred volts with respect to the mounting structure for 192 hours (PID192 exposure). PID testing characterizes a module’s ability to withstand degradation due to voltage and current leakage resulting from ion mobility between the semiconductor and other elements in module packaging.

RETC required that PV module models withstand PID192 exposure with less than 2% degradation in maximum power. At the other end of the spectrum, it considered maximum power degradation greater than or equal to 5% a red-flag result.

Static and dynamic mechanical load test

Top performers: Aptos Solar, Astronergy, ES Foundry, Gstar, JA Solar, Longi Solar, Runergy, Silfab Solar, SolarSpace, Trina Solar, and Yingli Solar

This test exposes modules to 1,000 cycles of +1,000 pascal and –1,000 pascal loads at a frequency of three to seven cycles per minute. Measurements were taken after this stress test rate electrical performance.

This year, RETC required that PV module models withstand SDML exposure with less than 2.5% degradation in maximum power. It considered maximum power degradation greater than or equal to 5% to be a red-flag result. In this testing category, it notes that 68% of samples qualified as high achievers whereas 7% returned red-flag results.

Thermal cycling

Top performers: Aptos Solar, Astronergy, ES Foundry, Gstar, JA Solar, Longi Solar, Qcells, Runergy, SolarSpace, Trina Solar, and Yingli Solar

The thermal cycle test calls for cycling modules in an environmental chamber between two temperature extremes—85 C (185 F) on the high end and –40 C (–40F)  on the low end. The RETC test runs 600 cycles, three times as much as the 200 required for certification.

About 67% of modules in this test achieved high performer status of less than 2% power loss, while 9% of tested brands had power losses of 5% or more.

Ultraviolet induced degradation (UVID)

Top performers: Trina Solar and VSUN Solar

UVID tests characterize a PV module’s ability to withstand ultraviolet induced degradation. This optional testing sequence exposes test samples to 220 kWh/m2 of UV exposure (UV220), nearly 15 times the UV exposure required for product certification.

Top performers withstand UV220 exposure with less than 2% degradation in maximum power. Red flag modules that degraded more than 5% represented 40% of brands tested.

“Alarmingly, we observed double-digit power loss in some mass-produced, commercially available PV modules, indicating that these products could degrade 10%–16% in the first three years of in-field operation,” said RETC.

Performance

Module efficiency

Top performers: Astronergy, Mission Solar, Qcells, REC Solar, and Silfab Solar

Module conversion efficiency is determined by dividing a product’s nameplate maximum power rating under standard test conditions by its total aperture area.

RETC has recognized manufacturers of PV module models with conversion efficiencies greater than 21% as test category high achievers. About 56% of tested modules were listed as high performers.

Incidence angle modifier

Top performers: Dehui Solar, ES Foundry, JA Solar, JinkoSolar, Longi Solar, Meyer Burger, Qcells, Runergy, Silfab Solar, and SolarSpace

Incidence angle modifier (IAM) is a performance characteristic that accounts for changes in PV module output based on changing sun angles relative to the plane of the array. To characterize IAM, RETC conducts electrical characterization tests at different incidence angles, ranging from 0° to 90°.

Manufacturers of PV module models with an IAM greater than 88% at a 70° angle of incidence were listed as test category high achievers.

LeTID resistance

Top performers: Astronergy, Gstar, JinkoSolar, Longi Solar, Runergy, SEG Solar, Silfab Solar, SolarSpace, Talesun, Trina Solar, VSUN Solar, Waaree, Yingli Solar

Relatively new cell technologies may experience long-term degradation associated with light exposure and elevated temperatures. This phenomenon, called light- and elevated temperature-induced degradation (LeTID), is tested with a protocol of light soaking, followed by 75 C (167 F) temperature exposure for two 162-hour cycles to identify significant degradation (>5%). Subsequently, test samples are subject to 500 hours of 75 C temperature exposure followed by two additional 162-hour cycles.

Highlighted top performers demonstrated products that had less than 0.5% power loss after 486 hours of exposure.

LID resistance

Top performers: Astronergy, GEP VN, Gstar, JA Solar, JinkoSolar, Longi Solar, Meyer Burger, Qcells, Runergy, SEG Solar, Silfab Solar, SolarSpace, Talesun, Trina Solar, VSUN Solar, Waaree, and Yingli Solar

Light-induced degradation (LID), or power losses from sunlight exposure, affects some PV cell types but not others. PV modules exposed to LID losses rapidly lose performance over the first few hours or days of operation before stabilizing. RETC notes LID resistance is highly correlated with cell type.

RETC required that PV module models withstand the LID sequence with less than or equal to 0.5% degradation in maximum power.

Module efficiency

Top performers: Auxin Solar, JA Solar, Longi Solar, Meyer Burger, Mission Solar, Qcells, REC Solar, Silfab Solar, Trina Solar, Yingli Solar

Module efficiency, or the percentage of incident solar energy converted to electrical energy, is a well-known and key metric for solar performance. It is highly correlated with cell technology and module design.

The top 14 highest scoring modules scored efficiencies of 20% or more. An n-type TOPCon cell scored the highest at 25.8% efficiency, followed by a monocrystalline silicon module with heterojunction technology, recording a 22.4% efficiency.

PAN file

Summit Ridge Energy expanded its partnership with Qcells with an agreement to purchase 800 MW of solar panels.

The agreement builds on an existing 1.2 GW relationship between Qcells and Summit Ridge, announced in April of 2023 by Vice President Kamala Harris. At the time the 1.2 GW order was the largest equipment purchase in history for the community solar market.

By increasing the total commitment to 2 GW, Summit Ridge reports it will develop more than 100 additional community solar projects across the country using U.S.-made solar.

Last year Qcells announced what was then the largest investment in U.S. solar manufacturing history, investing more than $2.5  billion to build a complete solar supply chain in the United States. This made the Korean company, a subsidiary of Hanwha Solutions, the first company to establish a fully-integrated silicon-based solar supply chain in the U.S. When complete, Qcells solar panels — from polysilicon to the finished panel — will be entirely made in the U.S.

Both the build-out of Qcells U.S. manufacturing footprint and the growth of Summit Ridge Energy are incentivized by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The includes tax incentives for domestic energy production as well as manufacturing. Many of Summit Ridge’s solar projects also qualify for IRA tax credits that will provide thousands of low-income households with greater access to clean energy savings.

“We are excited to expand our partnership with Qcells, which enables Summit Ridge to deliver on our promise of giving more Americans the opportunity to power their homes and businesses with locally generated clean energy,” said Brian Dunn, chief operating officer of Summit Ridge Energy. “Through our Qcells partnership, we are able to support domestic manufacturing and job creation, while simultaneously bringing low-cost clean energy to communities that have historically been left out of the clean energy transition.”

Summit Ridge’s planned fleet of community solar farms are expected to generate enough clean energy to power an estimated 200,000 homes and businesses. Since launching in 2017, the company reports that it has deployed over $2.6 billion into clean energy assets and controls a development pipeline of more than 3 GW that will provide solar power to homes and businesses nationwide.

“Expanding this relationship with Summit Ridge Energy means more communities will have access to the most affordable energy resource in the world,” said Justin Lee, CEO of Qcells. “This partnership not only supports the domestic manufacturing industry and thousands of jobs in solar, but it also ensures more people – especially those who have historically been left out – benefit from everything the clean energy economy has to offer.”

The majority of the solar panels purchased by Summit Ridge will be produced in Qcells’ new U.S. manufacturing facility located in Georgia. Additionally, Qcells will continue to provide Summit Ridge with battery storage and software solutions under separate procurement agreements.

From pv magazine Global

Chinese solar module manufacturer Longi unveiled last week a new module series based on its proprietary hybrid passivated back contact (HPBC) cell technology at the SNEC tradeshow in Shanghai, China.

The new Hi-MO X6 Artist panel is available in two versions dubbed Ultra Black and Full Black, which share the same electrical specifications.

The new products are sold with wattages ranging from 420 W to 430 W and power conversion efficiency spanning from 21.5% to 22.3%. The open-circuit voltage is between 39.45 V and 40.05 V and the short-circuit current is between 13.54 A and 13.77 A.

The modules have a temperature coefficient of -0.29%/C and a maximum system voltage of 1,500. Their size is 1,722 mm x 1,134 mm x 30 mm and their weight is 22.5 kg. They also feature IP68 junction boxes and 3.2 mm coated tempered glass.

The new products come with a 30-year linear power output warranty, with the 30-year end power output being guaranteed to be no less than 86.9% of the nominal output power.

The new modules are based on HPBC all-black cells and structured glass, which the manufacturer said ensures uniform light reflection in various directions. This feature guarantees a consistent black appearance without glare, regardless of the installation angle.

Unlike traditional solar modules priced by wattage, the Hi-MO X6 Artist is priced by square meter, facilitating easier alignment of the roof area with solar module size and simplifying cost calculations for homeowners. The version with a power output of 450 W is priced at CNY 298 ($41.7)/m2 and the 430W model is sold at CNY 268/m2.

Longi said that the Hi-MO X6 Artist module will enter mass production in the fourth quarter of this year and will be simultaneously available in all global markets.

In March, Longi launched its Hi-MO X6 Explorer and Hi-MO X6 Guardian modules. Later in late May, it presented the Hi-MO X6 Scientist panel. In June, it unveiled the Hi-MO 9 panel.

At Intersolar Munich 2024, Chinese solar cell and module maker Aiko Solar showed its Generation 3 Comet series of solar panels featuring a world record power conversion efficiency of 25.2%.

“The new products rely on our proprietary all-back-contact (ABC) solar cell technology,” Claudio Godinho, Europe Service Director at Aiko Solar, told pv magazine at the company’s booth in Munich. “The Comet Generation 3 solar module will be available in the fourth quarter of 2024. The module will be manufactured at their 10 GW and 14 GW facilities.”

Godinho noted that the modules use only copper in their backside located solar cell connections. The company said they can use copper, which tends to require thicker busbars, partially because they’ve moved those connections to the backside of the module.

Five versions of the new module series will be made available, with power output ranging from 625 W to 650 W and efficiency spanning from 24.2% to 25.2%. The open-circuit voltage is between 54.49 V and 54.99 V and the short-circuit current is between 14.60 A and 15.00 A. It has a size of 2,278 mm x 1,134 mm x 30 mm and a weight of 27 kg.

All products are built with 3.2 mm tempered anti-reflective glass and aluminum frames. They also feature an IP68 enclosure and a maximum system voltage is 1,500 V. The panels have a temperature coefficient of -0.26%/C and an operational temperature ranging from -40 C to 85 C (-40 F to 185 F).

Aiko Solar provides a 30-year performance warranty, with a purported 1% degradation in the first year and a guaranteed end power output of no less than 88.85% of the nominal power after 30 years.

The module features solar cells that overlap by about 0.3 mm. This reportedly generates more electricity within the same area – adding approximately 0.5% more sun-facing silicon. Moving all of the string connectors – the ABC technology – to the backside of the module increases the light absorption area by 1.1%, according to the manufacturer.

Aiko says approximately 93.5% of the solar module’s surface area is solar cells. Moving the solar cell interconnections to the backside of the solar panel does lower the bifaciality of the product to 70%. The backside contacts also give the module advantages in partial shade situations.

From ESS news

BASF Stationary Energy Storage, a subsidiary of chemical company BASF, and Japanese ceramics manufacturer NGK Insulators have launched a new version of their sodium-sulfur (NAS) batteries.

The containerized NAS MODEL L24 battery jointly developed by the partners, whose cooperation started in 2019, boasts a few technological improvements. Compared to the previously available battery type, the new NAS battery is characterized by a significantly lower degradation rate of less than 1% per year thanks to a reduced corrosion in battery cells.

Another technical achievement is an improved thermal management system in battery modules, which enables a longer continuous discharge. For instance, in the case of discharging at 200 kW-dc per NAS MODEL L24 unit, the continuous discharging duration is six hours.

The new technology elements have been incorporated into the field-proven battery design. Namely, NAS batteries were implemented practically for the first time in the world by NGK and since then installed at over 250 locations worldwide, with a total output of over 720 MW and total capacity of around 5 GWh installed.

Like the earlier version, the new concept complies with the latest safety standards for energy storage installations, such as UL1973 and UL9540A.

story continues…

From pv magazine Spain

Soltec Innovations, the innovation unit of ​​solar tracker manufacturer Soltec, has developed a floating solar tracker for reservoirs, irrigation ponds, and other inland bodies of water.

The new Flotus design is based on three main components: two longitudinal floats and a central floodable tank, responsible for regulating the east-west rolling movement.

“We have redefined the traditional approach,” said Ignacio Melón, general manager of Soltec Innovations and the head of the project. “The existing solutions in this segment were based on terrestrial photovoltaic structures on floats. With Flotus, we have started from a nautical structure equipped with photovoltaic modules, optimizing energy efficiency through better orientation and solar tracking.”

Soltec said a significant advantage of this technology is its ability to allow most light to pass through. The plant’s design, with followers in rows separated by at least 2 meters, avoids module shading during backtracking and, unlike traditional floating systems, allows the use of bifacial panels.

It said that robustness and stability are other strengths of Flotus. Equipped with pumps, the central tank not only provides mobility, but also acts as ballast, allowing the tracker to maintain its operation even in wind gusts of more than 100 kmh. Flotus stands out for its east-west tracking system, characteristic of terrestrial horizontal solar trackers, and its advanced naval design.

The manufacturer said that another advantage of Flotus over fixed floating structures is its ability to increase energy production by 15% to 25%, depending on latitude, especially during the first and last hours of the day. Thanks to the cooling effect of water, Flotus also surpasses the production of terrestrial solar trackers.

Soltec claimed that “Flotus is especially interesting for hybridizing hydraulic plants, maximizing the use of its already amortized electrical energy evacuation infrastructure.”

The company is now securing the first expressions of interest from developers in Spain and the United States, with a view to carrying out the first pilot projects next year.

Flexible interconnection with curtailed output can benefit everyone, analyst says  Allowing flexible interconnection for large solar projects can reduce costs and speed deployment, benefiting developers, ratepayers and utility staff, said a presenter at a North Carolina conference of utility regulators.

Startup launches online platform for residential PV system purchase Two-year old Monalee developed an online platform for homeowners looking to buy solar PV and storage systems. Its software enables the process from quotes to financing, installation and after-sales support.

Concentrator photovoltaic module based on surface mount technology A research group in Canada has optimized the performance of concentrator photovoltaics by using the so-called surface-mount technology for thermal management. The CPV module prototype utilizes four non-interconnected III-V germanium cells, a Fresnel lens, and a transparent glass printed-circuit board.

Five Puerto Rico reservoirs could host 596 MW of floating solar Potential sites for solar in Puerto Rico include reservoirs, brownfields, closed landfills, fossil generating plants after closure, and transmission rights of way, determined analysis by the National Renewable Energy Lab.

Weather-related damage to solar assets exceed modeling expectations by 300% The report from kWh Analytics, with input from several industry leaders, identified 14 risks to be aware of in the solar industry, including risks related to extreme weather, such as hail, and operational risks.

Cheapest source of fossil fuel generation is double the cost of utility-scale solar Solar levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) has fallen to $29 to $92 per MWh, said a report from Lazard.

List of top solar module manufacturers led by JA Solar, Trina Solar, Jinko Solar Wood Mackenzie says that JA Solar has taken first place on its list of solar panel manufacturers. Nine of the first 12 positions are held by Chinese manufacturers, seven of them could surpass 100 GW of capacity by 2027, and eight are self-sufficient in cell capacity, according to the research firm.

Largest ground-mount solar project in downtown Washington D.C. now operational  The community solar installation at The Catholic University of America was built through a collaborative effort between the university and 1,200 local residents.

Bosch unveils water source heat pumps for residential, commercial applications  Bosch Home Comfort has presented two new heat pumps series that can be used for both retrofits and new buildings. Both products have a size of a size of ½ to 6 tons and a coefficient of performance of up to 4.9.

Community solar increases energy equity, report finds For the first time research looks at data about households adopting community solar along with policy that promotes outreach, and the results confirm that coalition efforts are beneficial.

U.S. solar trade case moves forward The U.S. International Trade Commission unanimously voted that solar cell manufacturing in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, supported by local incentives, is harming U.S. industry. This decision paves the way for the Commerce Department to finalize its determinations on Countervailing Duties by July 18 and Anti-Dumping duties by October 1.

Empowering multifamily housing with Solar for All grants As multifamily housing emerges as a key player in the solar revolution, it is poised to not only benefit from but also drive positive change in the clean energy landscape.

Longi presents 24.4%-efficient 660 W HPBC solar panel Intended for applications in utility-scale PV projects, the new Hi-MO 9 module is available in eight versions with power output ranging from 625 W to 660 W and power conversion efficiency spanning from 23.1% to 24.4%.

More states now require smart inverters, enabling more distributed solar Pennsylvania and Minnesota have joined six other states in requiring smart inverters for distributed solar and storage. Certain utilities in 13 states and Puerto Rico also require smart inverters, while six states are considering the requirement. Smart inverters enable more solar on distribution circuits.

From pv magazine global

Chinese solar module manufacturer Longi unveiled a new module series based on its proprietary hybrid passivated back contact (HPBC) cell technology.

“Longi’s first-generation BC products were primarily positioned for the rooftop market, but the second generation of BC is entirely different,” the company said in a statement. “The Hi-MO 9 panel is mainly positioned for the ground-mounted utility market.”

The new product is available in eight versions with power output ranging from 625 W to 660 W and power conversion efficiency spanning from 23.1% to 24.4%. The open-circuit voltage is between 53.30 V and 54.00 V and the short-circuit current is between 14.85 A and 15.41 A.

The double-glass modules have a temperature coefficient of -0.28%/C and a maximum system voltage of 1,500. Their size is 2,382 mm x 1,134 mm x 30 mm and their weight is 33.5 kg. They also feature IP68 junction boxes, an anodized aluminum alloy frame, and 2.0 mm coated tempered glass.

The new products come with a 12-year product warranty and a 30-year linear power output warranty, with the 30-year end power output being guaranteed to be no less than 88.85% of the nominal output power.

“In the second-generation BC product, the company has comprehensively optimized the bifaciality issue,” the company said, noting that the bifaciality factor cannot generally be very outstanding in back contact technologies. “However, taking this into full consideration, the overall life-cycle power generation capability we display now an improvement of 6% to 8%,” it added, without providing more details.

The company has not revealed yet all the technical aspects of its HPBC cell technology. It previously said it’s an extension of p-type interdigitated back-contact (IBC) technology that combines the structural advantages of PERC, TOPCon, and IBC solar. Additionally, BC technology can be combined with p-type wafers, for which Longi has substantial production capacities, giving it an advantage over the more common IBC technology.

In March, Longi launched its Hi-MO X6 Explorer and Hi-MO X6 Guardian modules, and last week it introduced the Hi-MO X6 Scientist panel.

In its preliminary findings, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) found reasonable indications that the domestic solar module manufacturing industry is being materially harmed by imported solar cells from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. These countries have been identified as providing governmental incentives for setting up manufacturing facilities, sparking this investigation.

The complaint was initially brought forward by the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, which includes prominent members such as First Solar, Hanwha Qcells USA, and Mission Solar Energy, according to the USITC. The group’s press release also named Convalt Energy, REC Silicon and Swift Solar.

Industry insiders told pv magazine USA that this outcome was expected from this group. 

A detailed report titled “Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam; Inv. Nos. 701-TA-722-725 and 731-TA-1690-1693” is scheduled for release on July 5, 2024, on the USITC website.

The specific outcome from this meeting is that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) will continue its most recent ongoing investigation on the topic. Commerce will release its preliminary determination results on Countervailing Duties on July 18, with Anti-Dumping results due on October 1. These will be followed by final rulings from Commerce and the USITC’s final rulings on the subject.

In its initial filing, the USITC reported that over the past three years, the four countries have exported 71 GW of solar modules to the U.S., valued at $21 billion. During the same period, the U.S. installed a total of 83.8 GW of solar capacity. Suggested by USITC data, there’s an estimated 50 GW of solar modules currently stored in warehouses across the country. The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects that more than 50 GW of new solar capacity will be installed in the U.S. in 2024.

A significant portion of these imported solar modules is used in utility-scale solar projects.

The merchandise under investigation includes crystalline silicon photovoltaic (CSPV) cells and modules, as well as laminates and panels containing these cells. Excluded from this investigation are thin-film photovoltaic products made from materials such as amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, or copper indium gallium selenide, typical of products manufactured by First Solar. Off-grid CSPV panels are also excluded from this investigation.

Currently, the cost of importing solar panels into the U.S. could increase dramatically, according to Clean Energy Associates, if the panels originate from China. The collective effect of multiple tariffs – including Section 201, 301, Anti-Dumping, and Countervailing Duties, could raise the price of imported panels by 15% with no Chinese connections, and up to 286% for Vietnamese modules, should the proposed rates be approved.

From pv magazine Global

Bosch Home Comfort Group, a unit of German industrial conglomerate Robert Bosch GmbH, has launched new water source heat pumps intended for use in both new buildings and renovation projects.

“What we have solved for with our Bosch CL and RL Series heat pumps is a need for an HVAC unit design where high-quality and efficiency meet accessibility,” the company said in a statement. “Not only will these products make the jobs of techs and installers more seamless, but they will also offer them a deeper product portfolio to meet their customers’ needs and wants.”

The company said both products are available with both a vertical and a horizontal cabinet, use R-454B as a refrigerant, and rely on water coil and air coil freeze protection.

The CL Series has a size of ½ to 6 tons  The heat pump’s number of tons doesn’t refer to its weight but to the tons of heat a home needs. Its dimensions range from 48.3 cm x 48.3 cm x 58.4 cm to 61.0 cm x 83.8 cm x 147.3 cm. Its coefficient of performance spans from 4.45 to 4.90, depending on the size.

The CL Series also features a swinging electrical box, a slide-out blower on the vertical units, and designated compartments for high and low voltage components. “Together, these features not only improve safety conditions for technicians and installers, but also streamline routine services and repairs by offering greater accessibility to the unit’s compressor, air coils and other internal components,” the manufacturer said.

As for the RL Series, Bosch said its size and COP are the same as the CL Series. “Similar to the commercial model, the Bosch RL Series is equipped with a swinging and divided electrical box for faster and safer maintenance, as well as a slide-out blower on the vertical units,” the company added.

This series also features permanent split capacitor motors (PSC) and a unit protection module (UPM) that interfaces directly
with thermostats to provide time delays and protect the unit against freezing.

The two products come with a 1-year parts limited warranty and a 5-year compressor limited warranty.

As the United States reassesses its shrinking manufacturing base relative to China’s expanding influence and considers the global geopolitical landscape, solar panel import tariffs continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the industry. Solar modules are now the world’s leading source of new energy, and international relations often hinge on energy politics. This is exemplified by the current war in Europe, which was precipitated by Russia using its gas resources to slow the continent’s response to its invasion of Ukraine, leading to a massive increase in the adoption of photovoltaics across the continent.

Since October 10, 2012, the Commerce Department, then under President Barack Obama, has subjected all solar modules containing key components from China to an import tariff. Now, in 2024, as the solar industry strives to fully scale and establish itself, the U.S. has imposed five import tariffs, one geographical import ban, and has also recently initiated an additional tariff case now under investigation.

Christian Roseland, an analyst at Clean Energy Associates, released a document titled “US Trade Policies That Affect Solar PV.” This document lists seven policies:

2012

Starting from the oldest, the original Antidumping and Countervailing Duties (AD/CVD) case of 2012 was applied to all solar cells originating in China. According to a fact sheet from the U.S. International Trade Administration, the Commerce Department found that “Chinese producers/exporters have sold solar cells in the United States at dumping margins ranging from 18.32 to 249.96 percent. Commerce also determined that Chinese producers/exporters have received countervailable subsidies of 14.78 to 15.97 percent.”

Although Suntech and Trina were most publicly associated with these solar panel import tariffs, the ruling covered all solar cells from China, including 59 additional companies explicitly named in the document.

2014

While it didn’t technically affect solar cell prices, in 2014, the Obama administration charged “Five Chinese Military Hackers for Cyber Espionage Against U.S. Corporations and a Labor Organization for Commercial Advantage.” These charges stemmed from the theft of “thousands of files including information about SolarWorld’s cash flow, manufacturing metrics, production line information, costs, and privileged attorney-client communications relating to ongoing trade litigation, among other things.”

2015

In February 2015, a second pair of duties targeted solar modules assembled in China and solar cells from Taiwan. The solar module duty focused on Trina and was extended to include Jinko Solar. It applied to all companies assembling solar modules in China using solar cells from any manufacturing hub. It was determined that China had started to manufacture cells outside its borders, only to import them later for module assembly. The second ruling aimed to curtail Chinese companies that were specifically investing in the production of solar cells in Taiwan for subsequent reimportation into China.

The tariff rates were 26% for Trina, 78% for Jinko, with a standard 52% for a large number of companies. Companies not on the original list faced a nationwide tariff of 165%.

2018

Following lawsuits by Suniva, the Trump administration implemented two additional tariffs: Section 201 & Section 301, applying to solar modules and hundreds of other items, respectively. The Section 201 tariff imposed a 30% import tariff on all solar modules from all countries, decreasing 5% annually until its scheduled end. The Biden administration later extended this tariff.

Initially, the Section 201 tariff excluded bifacial solar modules, as no significant U.S. production existed. However, as the U.S. module manufacturing base began to scale, the Biden administration recently reinstated a 15% tariff on bifacial modules.

2022a

The Uighur Protection Act aimed to ban all materials coming from the Xinjang region of China, identified as originating from forced labor. This region is noted for its solar polysilicon production, facilitated by inexpensive coal-powered electricity. As a result, significant volumes of solar modules were blocked from entering the U.S. by Customs.

In response, many solar manufacturers began to shift their sourcing of solar polysilicon away from this region, including all products coming into the United States. To prove the origin of the product, the industry has started to develop supply chain verification techniques, and some Chinese solar manufacturers have initiated agreements with international polysilicon groups.

2022b (2012 – Part 2)

After a lawsuit was dismissed in 2021 due to anonymity concerns, Auxin Solar filed an AD/CVD lawsuit targeting Chinese manufacturers who had relocated solar cell and module production to Southeast Asia, claiming these actions violated the 2012 circumvention ruling. In winter 2022, the ruling confirmed circumvention by four companies, while another four major companies were found compliant.

The ruling specified that Chinese-origin solar cells would not be tariffed if at least three of six key subcomponents, including silver paste, aluminum frames, glass, backsheets, ethylene vinyl acetate sheets, and junction boxes, also originated outside of China.

President Biden paused the resultant tariffs for two years to foster the expansion of the U.S. solar industry, aligning with the goals of the inflation Reduction Act. The suspension was strategically planned to bolster the manufacturing and installation sectors of the solar industry during a critical growth period before any reductions in imports were enacted. Recently, Auxin challenged this decision by filing a lawsuit against the pause. This tariff suspension is scheduled to conclude on June 6, 2024.

2024a (2018 Part 2)

The current administration has extended and increased tariffs under the Section 301 ruling established in 2018, now covering solar cells, as well as batteries for cars and grid storage. The tariff on solar cells has risen from 25% to 50%, and battery cells have seen increases up to 25%. Today, importing solar cells from China, which cost between a few cents to a nickel per watt, would see a tariff increase from $0.0125/Wdc to $0.025/Wdc with this hike.

2024b – Pending Investigation

A petition filed by the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, which includes First Solar, Qcells, Meyer Burger, REC Silicon, and others, claims that the U.S. “manufacturing renaissance” is threatened by heavily subsidized Chinese cells and modules. These are alleged to be in violation of antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) laws.

The petition advocates applying the logic of the 2012 and 2015 AD/CVD rulings, which contend that certain countries hosting solar cell and module assembly factories – Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam – are unfairly subsidizing those factories, affecting all crystalline solar cell and panel manufacturers in those countries.

In their filing, the group says, “Although the Petitioner does not identify specific subsidy rates from the Subject Countries, the Petition alleges that solar cells and modules are imported and dumped in the U.S. market at the (above) margins.” The rates alleged are 70.35% for Thailand, 81.24% for Malaysia, 127.06% for Cambodia, and 271.45% for Vietnam.

How to apply solar panel import tariffs

Solar tariffs are collected by customs agents. While the buyer ultimately pays for the tariffs in the long run, the immediate financial responsibility depends on the import technique – EXW, FCA, DDP, etc. This determines who writes the check at the moment of import approval and who might be responsible if the amounts are incorrect or if evolving laws change the tariff amounts.

When calculating the AD/CVD and Section 201/301 tariffs, each tariff percentage is applied to the purchase price of the product. Among the four AD/CVD tariffs, a single charge is applied, but this only pertains to modules from specific regions. Conversely, both the Section 201 and 301 tariffs are imposed on all solar modules globally.

For example, if a solar module costs $0.10 per watt, then the Section 201 tariff at 15% would add $0.015 per watt, and the Section 301 tariff at 50% would add $0.05 per watt.

For a 2015 AD/CVD non-compliant solar module, the tariffs would vary significantly by manufacturer and country. For instance, when importing from China, tariffs are 26% for Trina products, 78% for Jinko, with a standard rate of 52% applying to a large number of companies. Non-listed companies would face a 165% tariff, leading to additional costs ranging from $0.026 to $0.165 per watt due to tariffs.

Should the 2024b tariff be applied as proposed, tariffs would increase costs significantly, adding $0.07035 per watt for modules assembled in Thailand up to $0.27145 per watt for those from Vietnam. However, none of these countries would have the Section 301 tariff applied, as that tariff only applies to products manufactured in China.

In total, a solar module initially costing a dime per watt could eventually cost between $0.191 and $0.38 per watt – an increase of 91% to 286%.

In comparison to the Inflation Reduction Act

Solar panel import tariffs are primarily intended to support the development of a new U.S.-based solar module manufacturing supply chain, which is financially backed by the Inflation Reduction Act. This act introduces a series of tax credits designed to bolster domestic manufacturers.

For solar modules, the credits are as follows:

• Solar cells: 4 cents per direct current watt of capacity
• Solar wafers: $12 per square meter
• Solar grade polysilicon: $3 per kilogram
• Polymeric backsheet: 40 cents per square meter
• Solar modules: 7 cents per direct current watt of capacity

For inverters, the credit varies depending on the type and is applied per watt of alternating current:

• Central inverter: 0.25 cents
• Utility inverter: 1.5 cents
• Commercial inverters: 2 cents
• Residential inverters: 6.5 cents
• Microinverters: 11 cents

Additionally, torque tubes for racking will receive a credit of $0.87 per kilogram, and structural fasteners will receive $2.28 per kilogram. Detailed information on these production credits is available starting on page 414 of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Has the Inflation Reduction Act bolstered the U.S. solar supply chain?  Wood Mackenzie is tracking the capacity that manufacturers have announced will come online in the U.S.; however, three challenges remain including a balance of materials, pricing and tariffs.

RFP alert: CAISO and TID seek renewable energy and storage projects Using the Ascend Analytics Energy Exchange, Turlock Irrigation District announces a request for proposals to meet its California Renewable Portfolio Standards and reliability goals.

A new federal transmission rule won’t help renewables projects anytime soon Although promptly deploying grid-enhancing technologies and advanced conductors could speed interconnection in the short term, a new federal transmission rule will improve interconnection only once new transmission is built, said panelists on a webinar.

ABB launches smart panel for home energy management In partnership with Lumin, the company released an electric panel with software for controlling solar, batteries, EV chargers, and more.

Researchers build 24.4%-efficient perovskite solar cells with room temperature process Researchers from the U.S. and South Korea have developed a method to make high-quality perovskite films at room temperature. The film was tested in a conventional perovskite solar cell architecture and the result was a power conversion efficiency of exceeding 24%.

Startup uses agricultural waste to produce low-cost, safe batteries U.S.-based start-up SorbiForce uses no toxic products or metals in production of its batteries. It claims its systems are cheaper and safer than lithium-ion batteries and have near zero end-of-life waste.

Solar carport to provide 100% electricity needs for Los Angeles Six Flags  Recom Technologies was selected as the solar panel provider for the 12 MW solar carport.

ABB has launched a new smart electric panel for home energy management, called the ReliaHome Smart Panel. The product, intended for residential projects in the United States and Canada, was developed in partnership with Lumin, a responsive load management device and software provider.

The smart panel coordinates home energy assets, enabling energy optimization, circuit scheduling, and real-time control. Homeowners can control their energy use informed by insights from platform, which can be controlled via an app, saving on energy and costs.

“Users can make informed decisions on energy consumption, prioritizing appliances during an outage to extend battery storage runtime and optimizing circuits to avoid paying high electricity rates at peak times,” said ABB. “The platform ensures seamless functionality during power and network outages through a local-first network backup, enabling consistent customer connectivity independent of a cloud connection.”

The ReliaHome energy management system is designed and assembled in the United States. It has wide compatibility with third-party batteries, solar inverters, EV chargers, standby generators, and more. ABB said the product is suitable for both retrofits and new installations.

ABB provides customer support and resources for implementation and maintenance, as well as cybersecurity systems that are validated and ISO 27001:2013 and IEC 62443-4-1:2018 certified.

Technical specifications for the ReliaHome panel:

• AC voltage: 120/240 VAC Split phase, 50-60HZ
• Supply Breaker rating: 15-20 A (non-GFCI)
• Connection options: Wi-Fi or Ethernet

Find the full spec sheet here.

Residential energy consumption accounts for about 20% of U.S. total energy use, said the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. As such, energy retrofits and a shift towards distributed low-carbon energy sources are an important step towards meeting decarbonization goals. The ABB smart panel helps homeowners coordinate and manage power as they electrify their homes.

“This latest collaboration marks a significant stride in ABB’s focus on the residential sector,” said Adam Mease, NEMA global product group leader, ABB. “We’re committed to accelerating the energy transition through innovation and the evolution of traditional home electrical distribution, offering homebuilders, homeowners, and communities’ powerful tools to optimize energy usage and save costs.”

PVRadar offers solar project risk assessments factoring in historical climate data  PVRadar Labs has expanded its software platform to include PV project risk assessment functionality, reportedly enabling more realistic performance estimates based on historical climate data.

JinkoSolar claims 33.24% efficiency for perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells JinkoSolar says it has achieved a 33.24% efficiency rating for its perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells, confirmed by the Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

Vermont becomes first state with Climate Superfund Act  The Vermont legislation intends to hold fossil fuel corporations responsible for climate change.

Fronius unveils residential string inverter for rooftop solar The Fronius Gen24 hybrid inverter comes to North America after success in Europe.

Solar project developers face opposition from Joshua Tree conservationists  The site of the Aratina Solar Center in Kern County, California, is home to western Joshua trees, and therefore the developer has to comply with the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act that was enacted in July 2023. Incidental Take Permits authorize renewable energy developers to remove trees with an option to pay a standard mitigation fee rather than complete mitigation actions.

Texas to host 300 MW of geomechanical energy storage projects  Quidnet Energy, a provider of geomechanical energy storage (GES) technology, has joined hands with distributed energy resources developer Hunt Energy Network to deliver 300 MW of storage projects in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid operating region.

Fronius has announced the release of the Gen24 inverter, an inverter designed to support rooftop residential solar installations and home battery energy storage.

The string inverter is widely used in the rooftop solar industry in Europe and has now been developed for installation in North America. The Fronius Gen24 single phase inverter ranges 3 kW to 10 kW. The standard Gen24 model comes with integrated basic backup power functionality, called PV Point.

Fronius string inverters use a Dynamic Peak Manager, a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) system that maximizes the yield of each solar panel under varied shading conditions across the array. The MPPT algorithm negates the need for DC optimizers under each panel, lowering the amount of components needed for the solar installation, while also lowering the cost, said Fronius.

The inverter is designed around flexibility in layouts and design, able to maximize output on complex roofs. It has a broad input voltage range, which Fronius said leads to efficient solar power generation even with differing roof orientations. The inverters also have flexibility in hardware and software compatibility with third-party devices. The inverter comes with open interfaces to manage and integrate components like solar, batteries, backup loads and more.

Fronius inverters have active cooling fans built-in, supporting long term use. The inverters are rated for both indoor and outdoor use.

“Our inverter delivers unbeatable energy yields even on the most complex roofs and, thanks to the Dynamic Peak Manager that doesn’t require DC optimizers, even when shade comes into play,” said Martin Hackl, global director sales & marketing at Fronius International.

Currently, the inverter, when combined with battery energy storage, can support basic backup power supply, supporting the most important electrical loads in the home during an outage. Homeowners can select a designated backup power outlet to support phone chargers, Wi-Fi routers, and more during the outage. Fronius said Gen24 will later support whole-home energy storage backup during outages, once it releases its UP.storage software upgrade. Fronius said Gen24 customers can purchase the whole-home backup service without replacing any hardware once the service is available.

Fronius  will launch the inverter via a product roadshow and accompanying trainings. More information on the launch here.

Fronius products are developed in produced in Europe, mainly in Austria. It has supported a total output of more than 35 GW of installer inverters to date.

Cowboy Solar, largest solar project in Wyoming moves forward The $1.2 billion project will be built by Enbridge, with 771 MW expected to be fully operational by 2027.

Battery energy storage tariffs tripled; domestic content rules updated Breaking down U.S. market impacts on energy storage from recent policy changes with insights from Clean Energy Associates.

People on the move: Catalyze, SaskPower, Pineapple Energy, and more  Job moves in solar, storage, cleantech, utilities and energy transition finance.

Sharp unveils new TOPCon solar modules The Japanese electronics manufacturer has launched the NU-JC440 and NU-JC430B panels with efficiencies of 22.53% and 22.02%, respectively. Both products are IEC/EN61215 and IEC/EN61730-certified and rely on M10 wafers.

Hail can cause significant damage to solar installations and is the root cause of half of insured project losses, according to risk expert VDE Americas. While hail cannot be avoided, damage can be prevented by tilting solar modules on a tracker, called stowing, turning the face of the modules away from the hail.

FTC Solar, a Texas-based solar tracker specialist, introduced the Automated Hail Stow Solution that uses meteorological data to automatically stow solar modules when a hail storm is on the horizon.

After collaborating with VDE Americas on studying the impact of hail events on solar installations, FTC developed a hail stow strategy that positions solar modules to minimize the impact from direct hail and wind.

The automated hail stow solution integrates with FTC’s Sunops, a cloud-based PV asset monitoring solution designed to manage and improve solar asset performance. FTC reports the software considers factors like advanced tracking algorithms and appropriate tracker stowing for extreme weather events.

Ken Kozizki, chief marketing officer of FTC Solar told pv magazine USA that the tracker quickly moves to >50 degree hail stow with modules facing away from the wind in response to the meteorological predictive data. The hail-stow algorithm is driven by meteorological data that FTC gets from an industry-leading third party provider, and weather conditions are analyzed using multiple radars that combine to form an accurate forecast for a single location.

There is also a feature that allows the plant manager to manually move to the nearest high angle stow to further reduce stow time, Kozizki said. Stow thresholds can also be customized, based on risk appetite and site location, including factors such as hail size, probability and radius.

From pv magazine Global

Sharp has developed new n-type monocrystalline bifacial solar panels based on tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) cell technology.

The NU-JC440 and NU-JC430 modules both feature glass-backsheet architecture, 108 half-cut solar cells based on M10 wafers, and a 16-busbar design.

“The NU-JC440 TOPCcon n-type monocrystalline panel features a sleek black frame and white backsheet,” the manufacturer said in a statement. “The NU-JC430B module is an all-black n-type monocrystalline module featuring a black backsheet and black frame.”

The NU-JC440 panel has a power conversion efficiency of 22.53% and a power output of 440 W. The NU-JC430 module has an efficiency rating of 22.02% and an output of 430 W.

The IEC61215- and IEC61730-certified panels measure 1,722 mm x 1,134 mm x 30 mm and weigh 20.7 kg. They can be used in PV systems with a maximum voltage of 1,000 V and an operating temperature between -40 C and 85 C. They also feature an operating temperature coefficient is -0.30% per C.

The company offers a 30-year linear power output guarantee and a 25-year product guarantee. The 30-year end power output is guaranteed to be no less than 87.5% of the nominal output power.

SunPower announced it will now be offering Tesla Powerwall 3 as part of its portfolio of residential solar and storage products.

“Homeowners are increasingly turning to battery storage to protect themselves against ongoing utility rate hikes and grid outages. We witnessed record-breaking battery storage sales in 2024 and see a future where almost all solar systems are paired with storage,” said Shawn Fitzgerald, SVP corporate development and product strategy at SunPower.

Tesla launched the Powerwall 3 in 2024 after it was unveiled at the RE+ trade e show in September 2023. It has the same storage capacity as the Powerwall 2 (13.5 kWh) but a key differentiator is that it can provide at least 50% more power at 11.5 kW of continuous power. It is a hybrid battery with the solar and battery inverter fully integrated, and is designed for new solar installations as opposed to retrofits. Some of the innovations over the Powerwall 2 are that it is reportedly easier to install, and it is smaller and lighter, while slightly deeper.

“Pairing Tesla Powerwall 3 with our industry-leading SunPower Equinox solar system was a natural progression in offering homeowners the best products on the market.” Fitzgerald said.

According to a report by Wood Mackenzie, one in every four American homeowners who install rooftop solar this year will also add battery storage. Reasons include resiliency as well as changes in net metering policy such as California’s  NEM 3.0, which cut payments for exported solar energy by about 75%.

Powerwall was the choice in over half of home battery installations last year, according to Wood Mackenzie.

“Expanding access to Tesla Powerwall 3 allows us to offer homeowners a comprehensive energy solution under one roof including sales, financing and installation,” said Joe Holstein, owner of SunPower by Quality Home Services, a SunPower Master Dealer.

SunPower Financial reported it has expanded its suite of solar financing options to include loan and lease financing through Mosaic for Tesla battery installations. SunPower reports that qualified customers can finance a Powerwall 3 with no down payment.

SunPower specializes in residential solar installations, a market that has been hard hit by rising interest rates and policy changes such as NEM 3.0 In April SunPower announced it planned to close business segments as it restructures to lower costs. At the time the company’s stock was trading 96% lower than all-time highs and was down 86% over the past year.

SunPower’s revenues reported last December reflected a 28% year-over-year decline, while operating expenses increased, and net income resulted in a loss of $123.9 million. The company said that after a short transition period, all project pipeline operations from pre-installation through system activation would be conducted by Blue Raven Solar and other installation partners and SunPower certified dealers.

China-based heating specialist Midea has developed a new outdoor, central ducted heat pump for residential applications.

“This latest generation of the Evox series, featuring the Evox G³ Heat Pump and Evox G³ Air Handling Unit (AHU), represents the future of electric, inverter-driven heat pump technology as the solution for home heating and cooling upgrades, designed to deliver unparalleled heating/cooling comfort, performance and ease of installation across North America,” the manufacturer said in statement.

It claimed that the new product is suitable for all climates and is designed “to defy harsh winter temperatures.”

The Evox G³ Heat Pump has a size of 1.5 tons to 5 tons and a coefficient of performance of 1.8. It is 36 cm to 53 cm wide, which the company said ensures easy deployment in challenging spaces such as attics and basements. It can reportedly provide up to 100% heating output down to -13 F (-25 C) and operate “effectively” down to -22 F (-30 C).

The heat pump also features an enhanced vapor injection (EVI) technology and a multi-layer heat exchanger. These components enable it to operate with auxiliary sources of heat and achieve high comfort levels also in extremely cold weather conditions.

“Evox G³ also has you covered in the summer, with a cooling efficiency of up to 19 SEER2 that can provide energy savings of up to 32.5% compared to the conventional 14.3 SEER systems currently popular on the market,” said the company.

The EVI technology combines a two-stage refrigerant compression process with an intermediary injection of additional refrigerant vapor, which reportedly increases overall performance and coefficient of performance.

“The injection of vapor refrigerant facilitates higher output temperatures while simultaneously expanding the operational range of the heat pump, thereby ensuring outstanding functionality even in sub-zero conditions,” said Midea. “Its multi-position installation configuration means contractors can stock one stock keeping unit and install it in six configurations.”

Heliene inks supply agreement with UGE for U.S.-made solar modules With the Heliene supply agreement in place, UGE is projected to begin qualifying for the domestic content adder on projects that start construction as early as this summer.

Energy transition needs batteries… and more batteries A recent IEA report says China holds all the cards in chemistry and production.

Sunrun to aid California in its electricity imbalance with home solar and battery VPP Over 16,000 Sunrun customers will supply the grid during peak electricity demand events.

$20 Million federal initiative targets low-emission silicon and thin film research The Solar Energy Technologies Office has launched a dual initiative to propel upstream advancements in a collection of solar cell types, and to reduce the emissions of solar-grade polysilicon under 1 kg CO2 per kg.

Longi announces 27.30% efficiency for heterojunction back contact solar cell The Chinese module manufacturer said the new efficiency record was confirmed by Germany’s Institute for Solar Energy Research (ISFH).

Enteligent taking pre-orders for DC-to-DC solar-powered EV charger The company reports that the hybrid bi-directional EV charger can supply 12.5 kW of fast DC charging, charging two times faster than AC Level 2 EV chargers.

California approves uncapped fixed charges on electricity bills An uncapped average monthly charge of $24 will be added regardless of the amount of electricity used at home, sparking the ire of consumer advocates and energy conservationists.

Tigo Energy announced a new line of module-level power electronics (MLPE), the Tigo TS4-X line. The MLPE product line is designed to support newer high-powered solar modules with power ratings up to 800 W.

“The installers operating at the cutting edge of solar are pushing the envelope on system output as well as cost, and the TS4-X closes an important gap at the top end of the module performance spectrum,” said Jing Tian, chief growth officer at Tigo Energy.

The device offers module-level power optimization, monitoring, and rapid shutdown. The new devices are compatible with a large list of third-party solar inverters, said Tigo.

Tigo combines its MLPE and solar optimizer technology with cloud-based software capabilities for energy monitoring and control. Tigo MLPE products boost module performance, enable real-time energy monitoring, and provide code-required rapid shutdown at the module level.

Three different product lines in the TS40X include TS4-X-O with optimization and advanced module-level monitoring, the TS4-X-S with advanced monitoring, and the rapid shutdown-only TS4-X-F.

All three product lines include a 25 A rating and 80 V maximum input voltage. Tigo said the new product line can be designed with selective optimizer deployment across the array, supporting a low levelized cost of electricity (LCOE).

Tigo TS4-X MLPE devices are IEC and UL certified for global acceptance and are compliant with NEC 2017 and 2020 690.12 Rapid Shutdown specifications when installed with the Tigo RSS Transmitter and UL PVRSS-certified inverter or an inverter with a built-in Tigo-certified transmitter.

Tigo said the frame-mounted MLPE can be installed in 10 seconds and is connected via industry-standard MC4 connectors and an IP68 enclosure for durability.

The company also develops and manufactures products such as inverters and battery storage systems for the residential solar-plus-storage market.

During high wind events, utility-scale solar assets are often automatically tilted to a stowed position to prevent damage and downtime from repairs. High wind can cause solar panels to vibrate and rotate, leading to microcracking, twisting, or shattering of panels. 

However, stowing solar trackers can lead to a loss of production as they do not follow the sun in an active stow system. 

Array Technologies, a leading provider of solar tracker systems, worked with independent engineering and design firm DNV to study an alternative method to active stowing called passive stowing. The analysis focused on evaluating the energy losses associated with various tracker wind stow methods and considered multiple variables, including wind velocity stowing thresholds, wind direction, dwell time, stow exit wind velocity threshold, stow angle, and stow direction. 

In Array’s passive stow system, most of the rows track normally when stow is triggered by a wind event. Array modeled a wind event with DNV, showing that only the exterior rows of the solar array, and 17% of the interior rows were stowed out of alignment of normal tracking. Meanwhile, the active stow system moved the entire array out of tracking position, did so at a lower wind speed, and did not use wind direction as a criteria for stowing. 

The study found significant differences in energy production losses between passive and active stow systems. Passive stowing was found to lead to a 0.05% annual energy loss, while conventional active stowing led to 2.8% average annualized energy losses. The DNV study showed that conventional active stow systems can lead to as much as 4.3% annual energy losses. 

“Weather events costing $1 billion or more have escalated dramatically, with wind events now ranking as the second highest cause of insurance claims in the last three decades,” said the report. “Array’s passive wind stow technology not only mitigates these risks by maintaining higher operational efficiency during wind events but also enhances predictability in energy production forecasts.” 

Array Technologies’ DuraTrack and OmniTrack products both employ passive stow technology.

Adena Power was the winner of the People’s Choice Award, chosen as the “best startup” by the 300 attendees at the 2024 National Renewable Energy Lab’s Industry Growth Forum.

Ohio-based Adena Power was selected out of a field of more than 210 to present its sodium-based energy storage products to investors and industry representatives at the Industry Growth Forum (IGF) held last week in Denver, Colorado.

“Adena team and I are thrilled to be selected to present at IGF this year,”said Nathan Cooley, co-founder and CEO. “Since the end of last year’s event, we have made it a goal to be requested to present at IGF. We see the NREL Industry Growth Forum as the best climate tech startup event on the calendar.”

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) hosts the IGF, now in its 29th year and considered one of the nation’s premier events for cleantech entrepreneurs and other industry experts.

The IGF is an opportunity for cleantech entrepreneurs, investors and experts from industry and the public sector to showcase innovative technologies and identify business solutions and to network. NREL facilitates connections between startups and motivated investors to drive innovation to market for impact. NREL is the only U.S. federal lab dedicated to renewable energy and energy efficiency research.

“The theme of this year’s IGF is ‘breaking ground,’ and I believe our presenters represent that well in a variety of different ways,” said NREL Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC) group manager Katie Richardson. “From batteries to revolutionary software, these presenters will help us all break ground through innovation. There is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ deployment strategy as we continue the global transition to a cleaner energy future, and that’s why it’s crucial to be in the room at IGF 2024 to learn from peers in the industry.”

Adena reports that its technology addresses all the limitations of conventional, molten sodium batteries and combines the energy density and roundtrip efficiency of li-ion batteries with the safety and lifetime of flow batteries.

With manufacturing facilities in Lewis Center, Ohio, Adena Power is in the demonstration phase of its IP-protected energy storage solution.

The company recently completed the successful demonstration of a 1 kWh battery module and reports that the test validates important components within the module and positions Adena for a larger external demonstration with a utility partner early next year.

“This successful module test finishes a very successful year for Adena Power,” said Neil Kidner, president of Adena Power. “We are looking forward to building on this result and continuing to meet our aggressive product development goals in 2023.”

Adena has been in discussions with utilities and renewable developers and is aiming to develop an energy storage solution that is safer than lithium ion, has a flexible duration and a lower installed cost. The company expects to launch our first product early in 2025.

Read about the 2023 NREL Industry Growth Forum.

Anza, a solar and energy storage procurement platform, announced it has introduced expanded capabilities and now has over 20 energy storage products on its platform.

In 2023 Anza was spun out of Borrego Solar after Borrego developed the solar and battery storage online marketplace and optimization solution. The proprietary software that drives the digital marketplace identifies the most optimized solar module and storage components based on customer-provided project details.

The Anza marketplace is designed to give procurement professionals, developers and engineers access to the data they need to evaluate storage product pricing over a project’s lifetime. With solutions for the utility-scale and distributed generation market, Anza’s Effective $/Watt analytics allows users compare products based on risk, production and installation cost.

“Project developers and procurement professionals are faced with an escalating number of factors they must consider when evaluating an energy storage project, and the lack of real-time pricing among all the different product options and configurations slows decision making and increases risk,” said Mike Hall, CEO of Anza.

The Anza platform was developed to offer engineers and procurement professionals a streamlined way to obtain product and pricing data from multiple suppliers. Anza reports that its platform enables IPPs, developers and engineers the ability to instantly compare AC and DC energy storage systems (ESS), thus saving what could amount to considerable time and money.

“The Anza platform enables us to evaluate multiple energy storage products and PCS configurations in seconds,” said James Beach, co-founder and managing partner, EnerSmart Storage. “With Anza’s specialized technical and commercial expertise, it’s a no-brainer to partner with them in this rapidly evolving market.”

In its first year as a separate company, Anza has experienced 100% growth and the platform has facilitated the assessment of more than 35 GW of solar and 75 GWh of energy storage across over 1,000 projects to date, the company reports.

Stem Inc. announced its Q1, 2024 earnings, showing a decline in revenues and increasing losses. The AI-driven software provider for clean energy asset operations saw its stock price dip over 20% in the trading session the day after earnings were reported.

Revenues for Q1 were $25.5 million, down 62% year-over-year from the first quarter of 2023. The company said the lowered revenues reflect a $33 million reduction due to an updated valuation of certain contract guarantees and hardware revenue recorded in 2022 and 2023. The revenue dip was a shock to Wall Street, coming in nearly 60% lower than consensus expectations.

The company posted net losses of $72.3 million. It ended Q1 2024 reporting $112.8 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments. The company also improved its operating cash flow from $(35.8) million in Q1 2023 to $(0.6) million in Q1 2024. Gross margin climbed to 24%, up from 19% a year before.

“The first quarter represented Stem’s continuing efforts to maximize cash flow generation in 2024 through cost control and converting receivables to cash,” said John Carrington, chief executive officer, Stem. “During the quarter, we also canceled certain less profitable contracts in both our hardware and software backlog to focus on higher-margin opportunities.”

Carrington said the company “remains confident” in Stem’s ability to generate more than $50 million in operating cash flow for the full year 2024.

“As we expected with our expansion into large-scale front-of-the-meter (FTM) storage projects, our bookings have become increasingly variable on a quarterly basis,” said Carrington. “We reiterate our full-year $1.5 to $2.0 billion bookings target for 2024, based on contracts that are in advanced stages of negotiation or are expected to close in the near-term.”

Stem maintained its guidance for positive adjusted EBITDA and operating cash flow for the full-year 2024, and said it expects meaningful year-over-year growth in its software services revenue.

Software suite

Stem announced it has released a new software suite for asset performance management called PowerTrack. The company said the software enables owners, operators and asset managers to streamline management of storage, solar, and hybrid energy asset portfolios.

The software suite includes configurable, persona-based dashboards and workflows. Users can track information from portfolio-level technical and commercial performance to site-level and granular device-level data.

“Built on the dual foundation of Stem’s solar asset monitoring software and the Athena platform, PowerTrack APM revolutionizes how technical asset managers, commercial asset managers, and operations managers collaborate around a unified set of metrics and streamlined processes,” said Carrington.

Asset management of Energy Storage Systems (ESS) is a game changer that makes the tools, processes, and strategies used with other asset classes obsolete,” said Cedric Brehaut, senior vice president of product at Stem.

Technical and commercial performance are linked by a complex web of revenue streams, technologies, contracts, and warranty constraints. Stem said its software suite is designed to navigate these factors.

“PowerTrack APM helps owners and operators of storage, solar, and hybrid assets understand the commercial impact of technical decisions and the technical impact of commercial strategies, so they can more effectively and efficiently manage risk and drive returns,” said Brehaut.

The suite offers monitoring, commercial performance tracking, energy storage system warranty management and verification, automated operations center processes, commercial impact measurements from technical events, and more.

Crux extends tax credit transfer discounts and support to ACP members A partnership between American Clean Power Association and Crux enables its 800+ members to save on transferable tax credits transaction fees as well as to access to programming and insights developed by the tax credit specialist.

New model shows how to power homes exclusively with hydrogen, solar, batteries Researchers in Spain has found that combining PV power generation with fuel cells and battery storage may help homes considerably reduce their levelized cost of energy. Their simulation reportedly demonstrated homes may also become completely self-sufficient.

Habitat Energy chosen to optimize 730 MW ERCOT battery storage portfolio To help manage battery storage and renewable energy assets, Habitat Energy signed an agreement with UBS Asset Management’s Real Estate & Private Markets business to optimize battery storage assets in four standalone projects in Texas.

Schneider Electric launches new storage systems for microgrids The company introduced two versions of the new BESS with enclosures of 7 feet and 20 feet with power ranges from 60 kW to 500 kW.

Addressing organizational challenges of rapid renewable expansion Radian Generation, a digital platform and management services provider for renewable energy asset owners, shares its perspective of the challenges faced by organizations as the industry rapidly scales.

First Solar beats revenue expectations in Q1 earnings, policy tailwinds emerge The U.S.-headquartered solar panel manufacturer delivered revenues of $794 million, beating consensus estimates by about 10%.

From pv magazine global

Energy management company Schneider Electric announced a new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) for microgrids. It is available in two enclosure sizes and has different storage and discharge configurations.

“Comprised of a battery system, battery management system, power conversion system, and controller, BESS has been tested and validated to work as an integral component of Schneider Electric’s standardized microgrid system, EcoStruxure Microgrid Flex,” the company said in a statement. “It is fully integrated into the software suite, which includes EcoStruxure Microgrid Operation and EcoStruxure Microgrid Advisor.”

The BESS 7 foot long enclosure has a power of 60 kW or 90 kW and maximum storage of 246 kWh, with a discharge configuration of two or four hours. It weighs 3.6 metric tons, and it is AC and DC coupled. On the other hand, the BESS 20 foot long enclosure has a power of 250 kW, 375 kW, or 500 kW, and maximum storage of 1,720 kWh, with a discharge configuration of two or four hours. It weighs 25 metric tons, and it is AC coupled only.

“The BESS is a fully self-contained solution built upon a flexible, scalable, and highly-efficient architecture delivering flexibility, helping to minimize energy costs and maximize renewable energy,” the company added. “As part of a microgrid system, the BESS leverages onsite generation sources to optimize the entire system, delivering energy and cost savings while maximizing usage of renewables.”

Both enclosures use lithium-ion iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which have a rated calendar life of 15 to 20 years and more than 6,000 cycles. The BESS’s operating temperature ranges from -4 F to 122 F, and Schneider Electric offers a three-year warranty.

Briggs & Stratton announced it has released its SimpiPHI 6.6 Home Battery System, the latest iteration of its lithium-ferro-phosphate (LFP) home battery.

Each battery unit offers 6.65 kWh of capacity and 3.33 kW of charge power, 6.66 kW of discharge power. The battery can be stacked up to three batteries that offer a combined 19.95 kWh capacity and 9.98 kW charge, 13.98 kW discharge power. For increased power, the company said a system can be scaled to six stacks of three with 119.7 kWh of capacity and maximum continuous power of 84 kW.

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average power outage in the United States lasts about 5.5 hours. Briggs and Stratton said a one-battery SimpliPHI 6.6 system can backup an average continuous load of 1.23 kW, “meeting the needs of many homeowners” by delivering more than 10 hours of power at 50% backup load. The company said the battery offers a quiet, emissions-free alternative to a standby generator.

Briggs & Stratton said the battery can be used during peak utility rate times or with demand response programs to lower utility bills. They company said it is focused on helping its customers achieve energy independence and resilience.

“We’re also focused on affordability. The SimpliPHI 6.6 battery is 25% less expensive than our competitors, and that is before tax incentives,” said Tom Rugg, senior vice president and president, Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions.

The company says it is currently offering its battery, battery controller, a ground or wall base, and a SimpliPHI inverter and gateway for MSP $10,800 with installation. It comes with a 10-year limited warranty. After applying the 30% federal Inflation Reduction Act tax credit, the cost drops to about $7,560 with installation.

Each battery unit is 17.3″ tall by 28.6″ wide by 6.7″ deep. The battery makes use of LFP chemistry, which has been proven to show less risk of thermal runway or fires than its traditional lithium-ion counterparts.

Briggs & Stratton said the LFP chemistry enables 6,000+ cycles at 80% depth-of-discharge with an end-of-life capacity of 75%. The product is UL 1642, UL 1973, UN 3480 and UN DOT 38.3 certified and has gone through UL 9540A fire safety testing.

The battery system can be paired with a SimpliPHI 6 kW hybrid inverter, Sol-Ark 8K,12K, and 15K inverters, as well as other leading lithium supporting inverters.

Find a full specifications sheet for the SimpliPHI 6.6 battery here.

With high demand for domestically produced solar components, driven in part by the Inflation Reduction Act, Swiss-headquartered Staubli announced it is expanding its manufacturing and assembly operations in South Carolina and California.

The company first began manufacturing in the U.S. in 1980 when it set up a facility in Duncan, South Carolina (shown above). The 103,000-square-foot facility houses manufacturing, logistics and personnel to operate and support the company’s different divisions. In 2011, Staubli opened a 43,000-square-foot manufacturing facility for electrical PV connectors and other products in Windsor, California.

“We plan to steadily increase our made-in-America products at these manufacturing facilities,” said Brian Mills, head of renewable energy, North America. “Increasing our already established solar connector manufacturing footprint in the U.S. puts Staubli in a strong position to support the increasing demand for domestically made components driven in part by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.”

In the solar industry Staubli is known for its MC4 PV connector, which the company reports is installed in 800 GW of systems, or 50% of global capacity. The company also manufactures a PV cable coupler, junction boxes, in-line fuses and eBOS products in the U.S.

Staubli says that what sets its connectors apart is its use of Multilam technology, which features specially formed and resilient contact elements. Constant spring pressure from Multilam louvers ensures continuous contact with the contact surface, resulting in a constantly low contact resistance that mitigates power loss and heat seepage, the company reports.

In addition to expanding manufacturing, Staubli is offering new customer support with field services and technical training.

“This comprehensive support is unique in the industry and extends through each critical stage of a solar project: from initial design, through pre-construction and construction, right up to the operational phase. This includes support of proper product selection and assembly, optimized design for limited waste and power loss, and proper implementation of the product in the field to ensure that our customers achieve safe and reliable solar installations,” said Mills.

Staubli was originally founded in 1892 as a small workshop in Horgen/Zurich, Switzerland. Today, headquartered in Pfäffikon, Switzerland, it is a global solutions provider operating in 28 countries with a workforce of 6,000.

U.S. solar manufacturing and the SEMA Coalition expansion Solar Energy Manufacturers for America Coalition has a goal of rebuilding the solar supply chain in the U.S.

Solar mounting system update K2 releases a new product, and Martin Roofing & Solar’s hidden-fastening solar mount achieves UL 2703 certification.

California batteries dominate evening grid with 10 GW/40 GWh of capacity  The state is once again setting springtime output records from solar, while energy storage takes over the peak electricity demand period becoming the maximum output source.

IEC develops standards for vehicle-integrated photovoltaics In its first monthly column for pv magazine, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) explains how a team of its experts is currently working on the definition of new standards for VIPV systems.

CATL presents EV battery with 1,000 km range Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL) has shown its latest lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery at an auto show in Beijing. The Chinese company says it has an energy density of 205 Wh per kg, almost 8% higher than the current state of the art for such batteries.

Birch Creek to procure 547 MW of U.S.-made First Solar modules Birch Creek, which has a portfolio of over 14.2 GW of utility-scale solar and storage projects in various stages of development, says it plans to deploy the First Solar modules in projects across its development pipeline in the United States.

German mounting systems specialist, K2, announced the K2 Edge, which the company says integrates with both new and retrofit solar systems.

The bracket attaches to the module frame using a 13 mm socket like the rest of K2’s components, then the remaining K2 Edge pieces use a tool-less installation process.

The Corners are universal, and the K2 Edge can be easily customized, cut, and installed in various configurations, the company reports.

K2 serves the U.S. market, with an office in California.

Martin Roofing & Solar

In other news, Martin Roofing & Solar’s patent-pending solar mount received certification from UL for the U.S. Market, making it what the company says is the first hidden-fastening solar mount (HFSM) to comply with the UL 2703 standard.

“UL Certification is an important milestone for industry acceptance, and market disruption. While we have been installing HFSM on numerous happy homeowners’ roofs around Southern Illinois, installers all across America can now confide in the UL safety and reliability standard, in order to offer the hole-less design to their own customers,” said Preston Nelson, Director of Martin Solar.

The mounting system is designed to save shingles from holes by attaching underneath the shingles. Shingles then seal over the top of the mount, the company reports, concealing the fasteners underneath for a seamless look and lifetime function.

Martin’s Hidden Fastener Solar Mount will be at the Midwest Solar Expo in Chicago, May 20-22; Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s Energy Fair in Custer, Wisc., June 21, 22; and at RE+ in Anaheim, Calif., September 9-12.

Green Bank network’s total investment could reach $10B for 2023 Preliminary reports from the Coalition for Green Capital say investment in clean energy projects and technologies increased 52% over 2022.

Johnson Controls releases new residential heat pump series The new heat pumps use R-454B as a refrigerant and are specifically designed to be matched with Johnson Controls’ residential gas furnaces. 

Anker home energy storage system now available in North America The new X1 can operate inside or out, from -4 F to 131 F, delivering what Anker says is 100% power output without derating. It also has a NEM 3.0 mode, which enables battery storage and grid sell-back in states under NEM 3.0 jurisdiction.

Nextracker cuts solar tracker carbon by 35% with recycled steel and electric furnaces The utility-scale solar mounting solution’s low carbon option places an emphasis on reducing carbon-intensive materials and improving logistics.

Australian battery materials company plans U.S. manufacturing plant Sicona has confirmed it will develop its first commercial manufacturing facility in the United States as part of its ambition to become the biggest producer of silicon-carbon battery materials in the world.

Maxeon sues REC, Hanwha Qcells for alleged TOPCon patent infringement Maxeon has filed two different lawsuits in the United States against Hanwha Qcells and REC over claims that the two manufacturers used an unspecified tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cell technology.

Congress urged to reform clean energy bottlenecks before 2024 election Reforms to siting, permitting, and transmission were requested by a coalition of about 200 solar and energy storage companies.

U.S. solar tracking solution provider Nextracker announced its NX Horizon utility-scale solar trackers are now available with up to 35% lower carbon footprint.

The tracking solution is produced with an electric arc furnace manufacturing process and uses recycled steel. The carbon footprint of the solution is also reduced through strategic siting of logistics operations near the project sites, cutting trucking and shipping miles.

“Upstream control for sourcing sustainably produced steel and components is highly complex and requires expertise and deep partnerships to navigate,” said Kevin Smith, chief executive officer at Arevon.

Nextracker helps its customers like Arevon navigate upstream sourcing, providing a transparent view into the supply chain. A full life cycle assessment document is provided, including data on reductions in carbon footprint, land use, water consumption, and other metrics related to sourcing, manufacturing, delivery, and operation of solar trackers.

The low-carbon tracker solution is initially offered in the United States.

“Our low carbon tracker delivers measurable results in decarbonizing solar power through circular and increasingly renewably powered steelmaking, optimized logistics, and careful selection of raw material providers,” said Dan Shugar, Nextracker founder and chief executive officer.

Nextracker said it has already secured initial orders for its new NX Horizon low carbon tracker system. Developer and Nextracker customer Sol Systems said the low carbon solutions are “setting the standards for tomorrow’s energy infrastructure.”

In addition to using electric furnaces and recycled steel, the tracker solution’s carbon-intensive materials have been reduced. Aluminum now represents less than 1% of the total weight of the product.

“Industry represents more than 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions; steel alone is 7%, making it a crucial industry to decarbonize. Based on our analysis, the steel sector invested $35 billion last year in clean capacity globally, but much more is needed to reach net-zero,” said Jon Moore, chief executive officer, BloombergNEF.

Nextracker has two upcoming panel presentations at the Cleanpower conference May 6 to 9, 2024 in Minneapolis:

• “Domestic Clean Energy Manufacturing,” Dan Shugar, founder and chief executive officer, Nextracker (May 7, 2:15-3:15 p.m. CT, Charge Up Theater).
• “Solar Supply Chain,” Alejandro Riofrio, vice president, supply chain North America, Nextracker (May 8, 2:15-3:15 p.m. CT, Charge Up Theater).

In its last earnings report, the public company reported strong results, with quarterly revenue reaching $710 million, up 38% year-over-year. It raised its guidance for fiscal year 2024 to between $2.425 billion and $2.475 billion, up from previous estimate of $2.3 billion to $2.4 billion.

“As the world transitions to renewable energy and with solar leading new power generation, we are well positioned as the global leader in trackers, and we’re just getting started,” said Shugar.

Anker Solix announced the commercial launch of the Anker Solix X1 Home Energy Storage System across North America. 

In a meeting at RE+ last fall, Eric Villines, head of global communications for Anker Solix, told pv magazine USA that with electricity prices up along with increasing weather incidents causing power outages, homeowners want to go off grid when needed, and the X1 is designed to do that. With modular design, the company reports that the X1 is customizable with up to six battery packs per system (30kWh) or up to six systems in parallel (180kWh). The power output ranges from 3 kW with a single battery up to 36 kW with six.

The batteries are lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) and each battery module has an energy optimizer that allows each battery pack to independently charge/discharge to eliminate capacity loss. The company reports that this increases attainable energy by up to 5%. It also has a storm guard mode, which automatically detects and prepares for power outages and switching into off-grid mode in less than 20 milliseconds, Anker reports, and the system switches between modes using artificial intelligence.

The X1 features InfiniPower, which Anker says allows a continuous power supply at 1.1x the rated output. It can operate inside or out, from -4 F to 131 F, delivering what Anker says is 100% power output without derating. It also has a NEM 3.0 mode, which enables battery storage and grid sell-back in states under NEM 3.0 jurisdiction.

Villines also noted that there is just one app to run the energy storage system. And the display on the system itself is designed to be easy to use.

The new home battery system ranges in weight from 164 pounds (one battery) up to 739 pounds (six batteries). It measures 26.4 by 30.1 by 5.9, and can be ground or wall mounted.

In March Anker Solix announced that the X1  X1 Energy Storage System had earned four key certifications from the CSA Group including UL 9540, UL 9540A, UL 1741, and UL 1973, all of which are North American safety standards for energy storage systems. The X1 has a 10 year or 16.5 MWh throughput warranty, whichever comes first.

This article was amended to remove the statement about 3,000 charge cycles and also to correct the time it takes to switch to off-grid mode to 20 milliseconds, as opposed to seconds.

The Fallon Two Rock Road Solar Farm is now operational, according to partners MCE and Renewable America.

MCE is a not-for-profit electricity provider for more than 585,000 customer accounts and 1.5 million California residents and businesses. The company reports that 60% to 100% of the electricity it sells comes from renewable power, and that it is currently delivering 14 GW. The Fallon installation is MCE’s sixteenth feed-in tariff project to come online in the Bay Area.

Renewable America is a renewable energy developer that specializes in small utility-scale solar storage and community microgrid projects in California. The company reports that it currently has over 320 MW of solar and 680 MWh of energy storage projects under development throughout California.

Fallon is a 1 MW agrivoltaics installation that is expected to produce an estimated 2.3 GW/h annually. Renewable America told pv magazine USA that the project uses 2,240 650W Astronergy bifacial solar modules on 25-degree, fixed tilt OMCO Solar Choice trackers, with 10 Chint Power 100 kW inverters (each power derated to 96kW). The site is expected to power 300 homes and save about 19,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions throughout its 35-year lifetime.

“Renewable America’s motto ‘Think Local. Act Local’, drives us to prioritize local projects like Fallon Two Rock that positively impact local communities. This is our first project with MCE, supporting local clean energy generation and committing to fast-tracking progress toward a clean energy future in California,” said Ardeshir Arian, president & CEO of Renewable America.

Renewable America designed the project to occupy only 3.5% of a 4.5-acre parcel, with the rest remaining in a natural state. The fixed tilt trackers follow the natural slope of the land, so no grading was needed, according to the developer. The project also accommodates sheep grazing between the rows, for natural vegetation management.

Fallon Two Rock was built with nearly 4,000 hours of prevailing wage labor, according to the developer. Prevailing wage is a requirement of the Inflation Reduction Act that developers must meet in order to qualify for a tax credit adder. In essence, the prevailing wage requirements states that the taxpayer (developer) must pay any laborer, mechanic, contractor or subcontractor at the prevailing rates for the location in which the construction takes place, as determined by the Secretary of Labor.

RNA Services LLC, a subsidiary of Renewable America, served as the EPC partner during construction and is continuing its role in operations and maintenance. RNA has also committed $20,000 to MCE for local workforce development.

“Clean energy is just one part of the transition to a sustainable future,” said Katie Rice, MCE board director and County of Marin supervisor. “The additional funding RNA committed will help MCE grow the clean energy economy, providing training opportunities for local residents to enter the green workforce.”

From pv magazine Global

Soltec, a vertically integrated Spanish PV company, has launched a new 125-meter-long, dual-row horizontal, single-axis solar tracker system. The SFOneX system has a tracking range of 55 degrees, and there is an option to upgrade it to 60 degrees.

“With its self-powered system, equipped with a dedicated panel and a long-lasting battery, the SFOneX guarantees up to four days of autonomous operation without sunlight,” the company said. “Its design with double rows connected by a flexible transmission axis not only reduces the number of tracking motors and controllers by half but also provides a cost-effective solution for solar projects.”

The company said it can be used with 72-cell, 78-cell, or 60-cell modules – both crystalline and thin-film panels. It can adapt to both north-south and east-west orientations of up to 15%. It can use a driven pile, ground screws, or concrete and can handle temperatures of up to 55 C.

“Like all Soltec solar trackers, it features the adapted TeamTrack system that allows maximizing energy capture by avoiding shading between rows,” the company said. “In the case of bifacial tracking, this algorithm also balances production between diffuse and direct radiation to achieve maximum performance. Additionally, the Diffuse Booster algorithm, equipped with advanced sensor systems and weather forecasting, allows for maximizing production even on cloudy days.”

In addition, the tracking system can defend itself from strong wind by adapting to the optimal position. It also has a hail-protection algorithm that uses early detection to protect the PV modules from damage.

“The launch of the SFOneX solar tracker marks a milestone in efficiency and innovation in the solar industry, highlighting its suitability for the US market due to its terrain adaptability, length, self-powered system, as well as its economic efficiency in installation,” said CEO Raúl Morales.

From pv magazine Global

EcoFlow presented new solar-to-heat smart heating solutions, the PowerHeat Air-to-Water Heat Pump and the PowerGlow Smart Immersion Heater, at Solar Solutions Bremen 2024 this week.

The company said its smart solar-to-heat solutions are designed to integrate into the EcoFlow Residential Smart Energy Ecosystem, offering users energy independence and reduced energy expenses.

“With compatibility with the PowerOcean series solar storage systems, EcoFlow’s smart heating solutions enable users to harness the power of solar energy for home ambience and water heating, providing a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional heating methods such as gas and fuel,” said the company.

The EcoFlow PowerHeat Air-to-Water Heat Pump, equipped with R290 refrigerant, is available in 9 kW and 20 kW versions. The system supports one-phase and three-phase connections.

The smaller device measures 1,263 mm x 440 mm x 875 mm and weighs 253.5 pounds (115 kg). The larger variant measures 1263 mm x 440 mm x 1375 mm and weighs 297 pounds (180 kg), according to the company.

The smaller heat pump features a cooling capacity of 1.53 kW to 5.96 kW, while the bigger one ranges from 4.40 kW to 14.40 kW. The heating capacity is between 3.50 kW and 8.81 kW for the smaller system, and 6.70 kW to 20.36 kW for the bigger version. The inlet water temperature is 86 F (30 C) and the outlet water temperature is 95 F (35 C).

At higher water temperatures of 122 F (50 C) inlet and 131 F (55 C) outlet, the heating capacity ranges from 3.15 kW to 7.98 kW for the smaller system and from 5.80 kW to 18.48 kW for the larger system. The maximum outlet water temperature for both is 167 F (75 C).

The smaller system has a power input voltage of 220 V to 240 V and a maximum input power of 4 kW. The 20 kW system has a power input voltage range of 380 V to 415 V and a maximum input power of 6.8 kW.

The operating temperature range for both products spans from -13 F to 109 F (-25 C to 43 C). The smaller system features a 2 liter expansion tank and the larger version has a 5 liter tank.

In addition to the new heat pump, EcoFlow has also unveiled its new PowerGlow Smart Immersion Heater as a solution to heat water use surplus PV energy.

The system can be operated in combination with the EcoFlow PowerOcean system or third-party PV systems, with the scheduling of energy use handled via the EcoFlow app. It is available in three versions: 3,5 kW, 6 kW, and 9 kW. All versions offer more than 99% efficiency at nominal power.

The 3.5 kW system is available in one-phase and three-phase variants, while the other two systems only offer three-phase connections. They have an operating temperature range from 32 F to 104 F (0 C to 40 C) at the casing and a storage temperature range from -4 F to 158 F (-20 C to 70 C). The heating rod length ranges from 375 mm to 550 mm and the entire system weights from 2.5 kg to 3 kg.

The PowerGlow Smart Immersion Heater will be available in May, while the PowerHeat Air-to-Water Heat Pump will hit the market in late June, EcoFlow said in a press release.

Silent Yachts has launched the first three-decker redesign of its Silent 62 solar electric catamaran. The Silent 62 3-Deck features three separate solar module arrays totaling 17 kWp, an integrated energy storage system recently upgraded from 286 kWh to 350 kWh. Introduced in 2019, the Silent 60 series builds on the legacy of the Silent 64, which made headlines in 2018 as the first solar-powered yacht to successfully cross the Atlantic. The ship cruises at 6 to 8 knots and can reach peak speeds of 16 to 18 knots.

Owned by Austrian business leaders and based in Fano, Italy, Silent Yachts has recently expanded into a new production facility. This facility spans over 230,000 square feet and includes five buildings equipped for shipbuilding, two of which are topped with solar modules. The company celebrated the launch of its first boat from this new facility in February 2023.

pv magazine USA spoke with owners Michael Köhler & Mick Long about some of the finer details of their craft.

The Silent 62 3-Deck yacht’s highlight is its configurable third deck, which comes in three configurations: an open ‘sky lounge,’ a closed sky lounge, or a closed owner’s suite. The new model featured an open sky lounge, complete with a bar, galley and a 12-seat dining table. This yacht is outfitted with 42 SunPower X400+ modules totaling 16.8 kWp, backed by a 40-year warranty. Where the Flybridge model incorporates lightweight Solbian Maxeon3 panels on its retractable roof to reduce weight, the roofs of the 3-Deck versions are equipped with SunPower glass panels. Models ordered this year will include marginally higher wattage, pushing the total potential production up over 17 kWp.

The CEO of Silent Yachts, Michael Köhler, confirmed the use of these panels, along with a robust 350 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery pack. This pack features a quiet liquid-cooling system that enhances charging rates and extends the lifecycle to up to 3,500 recharge cycles. Propulsion is provided by dual 340 kW electric motors. The system operates primarily at 24VDC for navigation, lighting, and pumps, with household appliances at 230VAC and high-power systems like motors and thrusters at 800VDC.

The Silent 62 yacht is equipped with advanced desalination equipment capable of producing up to 3,600 liters of fresh water per day. This system is efficient, consuming about 4 kWh to produce 1,000 liters of water, which aligns closely with the daily output of approximately one or two of the yacht’s solar panels. This integration ensures that water production is sustainable and minimally impacts the yacht’s overall energy reserves, making it ideal for extended voyages where freshwater is crucial.

A Youtube channel “Heart of Gold Lifeboat” provided a review of an earlier variant of the Silent 60, detailing the specifications and orientation of the electrical equipment and powertrain. The newer Silent 62 3-Deck has been updated with RS230 AH batteries, each offering 11.8 kWh, arranged in a 28-unit configuration. This model also features a proprietary power management system, which replaces the previously used Victron Energy Quattro combined inverter/charger. Additionally, the Volvo Penta D3 220 generator has been upgraded to a Hyundai S270 semi-commercial engine.

Accommodating up to 12 guests in its five cabins, the Silent 62 3-Deck is priced starting just over $2 million.

New technology from an emerging company is adding hot water to the energy storage equation.

The surge in interest for storage alternatives beyond electro-chemical batteries—for reasons including efficiencies, longevity and recyclability– is raising the temperature on thermal technology as a means to store energy from PV and other sources.

Solar system designers and installers have long used hot water heating in tanks as a “diversionary load” to store excess PV-generated electricity. But such schemes required the installation of complex and costly plumbing infrastructure, between dedicated tanks and circulation systems. Newer thermal storage methods being discussed include so-called “T-Bat” thermal batteries using molten aluminum or alloys, hot silicon and thermo-chemical decomposition.  But these either remain mainly in the concept or early adoption stages, or face challenges in implementation based on the state of present technology.

PowerPanel is taking a different approach: that of combining simple, safe, and easy to manage hot water with advanced thermoplastic technology and architecture—eliminating both the issues with old-fashioned steel tanks and the inherent risks of the newer exotic, inorganic thermal storage schemes.

PowerPanel, based in Oxford, Michigan, was founded in 2007 by Garth Schultz and Rob Kornahrens, to commercialize their PV/thermal technology. Prior to Power Panel, Schultz worked in clean vehicle development on projects involving GM, Chrysler and Ford, as well as clean agriculture initiatives in Canada.  He heads up the manufacturing and engineering in the Michigan facility where all the products are made. Rob Kornahrens, CEO, was previously with thin-film solar panel maker Advanced Green Technologies.

PowerPanel’s Gen 20 thermal storage tank scraps the concept of the traditional steel tank, replacing it with durable, safe, stable and recyclable thermoplastics.  The result is a lightweight, secure, and rapidly-deployable thermal storage solution that can be set up in minutes and lasts for decades.

The company bundled the PV module and thermal together in one panel with the idea of combining two renewable energy streams, photovoltaic and thermal heating (PVT). PVT has been tried in the past, but it usually involved a PV module with a thermal “catcher” fixed on the back.  What Power Panel did was  “encapsulate” the PV with a flat-plate glazed solar thermal production unit.  It uses special materials developed for Power Panel, which gets molded into an enclosure; basically a PV ‘insert” is embedded into the thermal collector/circulatory architecture.

Along with collecting heat, it also cools the PV module and makes it even more efficient regarding electrical generation. The energy production output ratio of a PVT panel is roughly 1:4 PV and thermal, and about 2X decarbonization, compared to PV or thermal alone.  Because it harvests solar energy from two energy streams, the hybrid PVT panel is over 80% efficient at capturing the sun’s energy with combined electricity and hot water generation, much more so than PV panels on their own (about 23% depending on the type).

According to PowerPanel, the large PVT array at peak can produce 2.7kW of PV electricity and 12.7kW of thermal (hot water or another fluid) at the same time.  Both the foam storage tank and the hybrid PVT solar collector are covered by various patents.

The PowerPanel approach is based on replacing steel, glass and other materials with expanded polypropylene foam (EPP).  A molded material, EPP has a fraction of the weight of traditional materials , yet has up to twice the insulation capability at as little as 1/5^th the energy storage cost of conventional tank materials and up to twice the insulation capability—in fact, a Gen 20 Tank loses just a little over 2°C of heat over a 24 hour period.  It also has superior impact and chemical resistance compared to other designs. 

The patented PowerPanel Gen 20 tank is modular for ease of transportation and rapid on-site assembly. A standard shipping container can accommodate over 50 of the tanks for rapid deployment anywhere where needed.  Since both the exterior and interior liner are made from non-degrading engineered foam and plastics, the tank can be installed indoors or outdoors, or even buried at grade.

A uniquely innovative feature is the tank’s configuration for assembly.  It comes self-palletized and consists of an outer “hoop” and cover, into which the EPP foam sections are inserted along with a thermo-plastic liner.  All the pieces needed fit on the footprint of a standard pallet, making it easy to move the tank into a building or up onto a rooftop— in fact individual pieces can fit through a very small entrance, and the heaviest of them is just 10 pounds.

The entire tank assembly’s total weight just a little over 100 pounds, meaning that two people can easily unload and manage one under any field conditions.  And, the company reports that they can set one up in a matter of minutes.

The tank’s inventor Garth Schultz notes that “people in marketing always claim that something takes just ‘minutes’ without actually disclosing just how many minutes that is. But in the case of our Gen 20 Tank we’re being transparent: it takes two people all of 5 to 10 minutes—tops– to set one up.  To say our design saves valuable installation time is the understatement of the decade.”

Schultz also points out other advantages to PowerPanel’s unique storage topology.  “You can ‘cascade’ multiple tanks together using our connecting hardware to expand a system.  Since the tanks aren’t pressurized no pressure vessel certification is required.  Our system can take full advantage of the various tax and other credits out there.  We also have a range of upgrades available, including heat exchangers and water-purification systems for medical and other field uses.”

The adaptable materials that form the PowerPanel tank structure cover the range of thermal applications, enabling either hot or cold storage from 200 F to as low as -25 F.  Flexible options include customizing liners for different fluid use, depending on the need, the Applications for PowerPanel’s thermal storage and complete PV/thermal systems range from disaster relief operations to institutional and hospitality facilities—anywhere hot or cold pure water is essential to human health and well-being.  For more information contact

Real world use

The large integrated system can supply enough solar thermal water to supply an average sized hotel, along with generate supplemental electricity, and systems can be daisy-chained.  That configuration would be ideal for hospitals, campuses, and other facilities.

Some commercial users of the larger integrated system (multi PV panels and tanks) include Winward Passage, a resort hotel in Saint Thomas and BVQ Lofts in Cleveland,  an apartment complex in Ohio.

The small system has seen placement in relief operations by NGOs, notably in Puerto Rico following a hurricane as well as in Ukraine, serving communities with electricity to stay connected as well as hot water for everyday living.

Mark Cerasuolo has spent nearly 30 years in the electrical manufacturing and renewable energy industries, most recently at Morningstar Corporation, a leading brand in off-grid solar components. His prior roles include marketing, training and product development with OutBack Power and Leviton Manufacturing.

From pv magazine Global

S-5! claims that its new MLPE Mount provides a versatile method to secure and bond microinverters and power optimizers directly to the underside of solar panel frames mounted on metal roofs.

“This provides the versatility needed to better manage module-to-module wire management, and electrically bonds the equipment together to easily comply with grounding requirements,” the company said.

S-5! said the mounting system allows module level power electronics (MLPE) to be installed before lifting the modules on the roof, where they can be adjusted if needed. Featuring a 304 stainless steel body and fastener, the MLPE Mount is suitable for any kind of solar module and is designed to attach any microinverters and optimizers that weigh less than 1.3 kg.

S-5! said the MLPE Mount can be used in rail-based installations or can be paired with its rail-less solar mounting solution for direct attachment to metal roofs. In addition to the MLPE Mount, S-5! will also introduce the new Protea II mounting bracket into the Australian market.

The bracket fits most trapezoidal rib (single-skin and insulated) metal panel roofs. The Protea II bracket features an adjustable attachment base to accommodate varying rib widths, heights, and angles with a top length of up to 90 mm and is suitable for both rail and rail-less systems.

S-5! said it will introduce its new direct-attach solar solutions at the Solar and Storage Live Australia event to be held in Brisbane on May 1-2, 2024.

S-5! Mounting solutions are made in the United States for a range of rooftop applications and are now installed on more than 2.5 million metal rooftops throughout the world, including 7.3 GW of rooftop solar.

Lion Energy, a U.S. manufacturer of energy storage systems based in American Fork, Utah, launched its Powersave Energy Storage Solutions (ESS), including cabinet and container systems designed to provide businesses with back-up power, enable energy time shifting, renewable energy integration, load management and power system recovery.

The Powersave solutions use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery storage technology, also known as LiFePO4, which is considered safer than standard lithium ion as LFP chemistry minimizes thermal runaway fire risks. Furthermore, as described by David Bly, iron doesn’t burn like manganese, and on the rare occasion when a fire does occur (due to battery failure) they are limited to wires, and sometimes battery management system (BMS) printed circuit boards. Lion Energy said its team designed the batteries to be scalable, fireproof and resistant to corrosion.

“Assuming that the battery casing conforms to NEMA or IP standards, cell fires cannot escape the case unless it’s been punctured,” Bly said.

The Cabinet Series for indoor and outdoor commercial and industrial (C&I) energy storage systems can help reduce peak energy costs from equipment and operations, the company reports. Its power and capacity ranges from 30kW/50kWh to 90kW/180kWh. Model PS2 offers a cycle life of 6,000 based on 80% depth of discharge. The cabinet solution is 94.5 inches by 63 inches by 88.5 inches and weighs 7,070 pounds. Supported communication protocols include RS485, CAN, Ethernet, DNP3, Modbus TCP/IP.

The Container Series, which comes in two models, is an outdoor containerized energy storage system for utility grid tie or C&I behind-the-meter applications. The systems are configured to meet each customer’s specific power (kW) and capacity storage (kWh) requirements from 675 kw/1032 to 1.7 MW / 3.44 MWh per container. The PS20 model’s power ranges from 430 kW to 675 kW and capacity ranges from 1,032 kWh to 2,064 kWh. It measures 238.5 inches by 96 inches by 114 inches and weighs 47,000 pounds.

The PS30 model’s power ranges from 675 kW to 1.7 MW and capacity from 2.064 MWh-3.440 MWh. It is the same size as the PS20 model but weighs 67,000 pounds.

Both the Powersave Cabinet and Container Series are custom solutions where multiple units can be combined for increased capacity applications. Click here for more information.