U.S. Congress launches investigation into use of solar grant and ITC funds
The investigation by a Senate and House committee is looking at whether or not U.S. companies were encouraged to sign leases regardless of the credit-worthiness of signatories, as well as potential inflation of costs to obtain more funding.
Solar Power International 2016: Five key takeaways
This year’s SPI trade show comes at a time of dynamic growth for the solar industry and an increasing integration of solar into energy management. But not all the news is good.
Lawsuits attempt to stop Tesla acquisition of SolarCity
An investor has filed for an injunction to stop the merger, in one of the four lawsuits challenging the deal
Enphase surveys U.S. distributors for Q1 2017 AC battery deliveries
Enphase Energy announced at SPI 2016 that it has begun canvassing its U.S. distributor network to gauge interest for mass orders of its AC Battery system, which was test marketed in Australia over the past year, culminating in 70,000 units in shipment process there.
NREL takes lead on $30m consortium to improve PV technology performance
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory will lead a consortium comprising Sandia National Laboratories and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory on the development of new solar module materials.
UK government gives go ahead to Hinkley Point nuclear plant
Theresa May’s new government has finally made up its mind about the controversial new nuclear plant being financed by the French and the Chinese, which has faced sharp criticism for its escalating costs and for the implications of foreign ownership of critical U.K. infrastructure.
SolarCity applauds accord to grandfather Nevada rooftop customers
The rooftop PV installer confirms settlement between it and Nevada utility NV Energy to rollback rate increases for solar customers under a proposed grandfathering scheme. Nevada Public Utilities Commission scheduled to ratify settlement at Friday vote.
NRG snatches up 2.1 GW of SunEdison projects
The energy giant has put forth the winning bid for SunEdison wind and solar projects at under $0.10 per watt.
2.05 GW of solar PV installed in the United States during Q2
GTM Research expects 13.9 GW to be installed over the full year, the result of an ongoing utility-scale boom.
Japanese business heavyweights urge solar support
As Japan’s energy system approaches a crucial junction, business leaders have urged Japanese policymakers to stay the course with renewables development. The case was also made for the establishment of an Asian super grid that could connect the countries of Northeast Asia in a single, meshed electricity network.
