First Solar Achieves World Record 18.6% Thin Film Solar Conversion Efficiency
First Solar, Inc.today announced it has set yet another world record for cadmium-telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) module conversion efficiency, achieving 18.6% aperture efficiency for an advanced full size module. For the first time ever, First Solar has demonstrated a record module that is more efficient than the best multi-crystalline module recorded.
Hawaii OKs SunEdison's Major Solar Farm On Oahu's North Shore
SunEdison’s 50-megawatt solar energy farm on 382 acres within the Kawailoa Plantation on Oahu’s North Shore that’s owned by Kamehameha Schools got the green light from the state on Tuesday, a spokeswoman for the California-based energy giant confirmed.
Amazon To Build Virginia's Largest Solar Farm
Online retailer Amazon announced plans Wednesday to buy energy from what will be Virginia’s largest solar farm in Accomack County.
As SolarCity Turns Giant, Call Goes Out For Supply Chain
When the SolarCity factory is running full-tilt two years from now, it will be the biggest solar panel plant in North America.
SEIA Solar Newsletter | June 9, 2015
Every week, The SEIA Solar Update includes top news stories covering the solar industry, major upcoming events, policy updates, and much more. This newsletter is open to SEIA Members and to the general public.
SolarCity Brings Solar Rooftops And Jobs To Rhode Island
Rhode Island homeowners interested in switching to solar energy will soon have the option to do so with no upfront costs. The nation’s largest rooftop solar installer is coming to Rhode Island. Starting this week, California-based SolarCity will offer Rhode Islanders loans to buy home solar systems.
Tendril Launches A Customer Acquisition Solution For Utility-Owned Community Solar
Tendril, the Boulder, Colo.-based software startup, rebooted its business last year with a shift to microtargeted energy savings products through its new Energy Services Management platform. Today, the company announced it’s expanding its product line with a customer acquisition and engagement solution for utilities getting into community solar.
Rooftop Solar Firm Sunrun Coming To New Hampshire
Another major solar energy company is entering the New Hampshire market, bringing with it the promise of new jobs and cheaper electricity.
IKEA Pledges To #GoSolar
IKEA, which had sales of 30 billion euros last year, wants to generate all the energy used in its shops and factories from clean sources by 2020. To that end, it will invest 600 million euros on wind and solar power installations, adding to 1.5 billion invested since 2009. It has already signed up to own and operate 314 wind turbines and has 700,000 solar panels on its roofs.
Why You Should Think Seriously About Going Solar
If you’ve been noticing more solar panels lately, you’re onto something. While only one in 100 houses has them, that’s 46 times as many as a decade ago. Some of that fast growth is due to a federal tax credit that is worth 30 percent of installation costs. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), there were more than 180,000 solar-related residential installations in 2014, and more than 50 percent growth over the year before. In addition, new financing options are making it easier for homeowners to also become solar panel owners.