US: EIA forecasts modest, uneven solar market growth in 2019
The organization’s short-term energy outlook forecasts that 10.3 GW-AC of solar will be installed in 2019, a 7% growth from 2018 – but for 60% of this solar to come online in December.
Study: 32% tandem cell solar still competitive at triple the price
Arizona State University researchers have determined that a 32% efficient perovskite-silicon tandem cell could produce electricity at the same price as cutting-edge 22% efficient panels in the most cost-competitive of situations
Trump confirms additional 25% tariffs on Chinese cells and modules
While the duties make importing solar from China even more impractical, they are unlikely to have a significant impact on trade flows or on the U.S. market, with Chinese manufacturers outsourcing operations overseas.
Valmont acquires 75% stake in Italian tracker provider Convert
Valmont’s global manufacturing capabilities and utility customer base is expected to help the Italian company expand activity and market share.
Enel and Raptor Maps to develop AI drone software for operations and maintenance applications
Enel Green Power North America and Raptor Maps will develop AI-based drones to reduce O&M costs. Kicking off this month, the project will see its first batch of 30 field workers trained by the end of the year. Both companies already have the relevant technology in their portfolios.
Facebook likes clean energy as corporate purchasing sets record
The social media titan is the world’s biggest corporate buyer of renewable energy so far this year. BNEF figures show the company has already secured 1.1 GW of green power this year, helping the corporate world break last year’s landmark.
SolarEdge reports record revenues in second-quarter results
The company has experienced continued growth and after the acquisition of a UPS supplier – as well the potential for Chinese power electronics manufacturers to suffer under proposed new inverter tariffs – SolarEdge feels confident of continued growth.
NREL develops new process to bring ‘Mars Rover’ PV cells down to earth
The U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory has developed a process which it says can dramatically reduce the costs of producing ultra-high efficiency cells from gallium arsenide, and other III-V compounds, similar to the solar cells used by NASA in space exploration projects.
EV charging infrastructure market to reach $18 billion by 2030
EV charging infrastructure is set to become a major market, and actors from different sectors like municipal utilities, inverter companies and storage system providers are getting creative, and collaborative, in order to secure a slice of the cake.
BREAKING: Trump calls for 25% tariffs on Chinese inverters, other products
U.S. President Donald Trump has asked trade officials to consider increasing import duties from 10% to 25% on a list of products from China, including inverters, AC modules and non-lithium batteries.
