Solar Industry News

Well, Earth day is coming up and there’s plenty to think about when it comes to generating clean energy. The solar power industry reached new milestones in 2022, including new legislation and solar installations reaching an all-time high. But even more exciting developments are on the horizon.

Despite hurdles that solar energy faced this past year — including

Last year, Florida Senator Marco Rubio proposed the Sunshine Protection Act. The Senate passed the act, but the House of Representatives later denied it in its last session. 

However, Rubio recently reintroduced the same bill on March 2, 2023. 

If the Sunshine Protection Act passes, it’ll stop the tradition of turning back our clocks one hour every November

Solar Appreciation Day is a holiday that falls on March 11. Some might think it’s a day to give the sun a general round of applause (it’s already a star), but it’s much more than that!

On this day, people worldwide celebrate the benefits of solar energy, its technological advancements and increased awareness of the importance of sustainability. 

And

Today, the U.S. produces around 126 gigawatts (GW) of solar energy: enough to power about 22 million American homes. But this isn’t necessarily from American-made solar panels.

What’s more, the Energy Information Administration predicts a 6% growth in the solar energy market between 2035 and 2050. 

So, it makes sense that people are looking to go solar —

Solar is one of the most viable renewable energy sources. And as more and more people realize this, they’re investing in solar more widely. 

But what’s the government got to do with it?

With Presidents’ Day around the corner, we’ll highlight some presidents who’ve made strides for renewable energy, as well as the government’s role in creating policies and

Two weeks and three days. 

That’s how long the effects of the 2021 Texas Freeze lasted. And this week marks the second anniversary.

Winter Storm Uri put Texas in a chokehold, debilitating the state with temperatures as low as 6 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to abnormally cold conditions, many parts of the state saw power outages from the grid’s inability to

With a goal of lowering emissions in the carbon-intensive steel industry, Evraz Rocky Mountain Steel turned to solar power. Evraz North America owns the plant, located in Pueblo, Colorado. 

The giant steel company was able to begin building the world’s largest solar-powered steel plant tucked right in the heart of the Rockies. To do this, Evraz North

In 1876, Richard Evans Day and William Grylls Adams discovered that selenium produces electricity when exposed to light. Their solar cell failed to produce much energy, but they at least proved that creating solar energy was possible. 

Since then, solar panel technology has come a long way!

Here we’ll explore a new innovation with solar panel technology: solar panels

People have long known that solar power betters the environment and public health. But it also benefits the economy.

The North Carolina and U.S. governments are now turning to renewable sources to address an increasing demand for energy. However, supply chain interruptions, economic strain and lack of technicians are hurdles to clean energy distribution. 

Let’s explore what this

We know that net metering is an important aspect of solar benefits. And as of over one year ago, the South Carolina state government officially finalized its net metering rules. 

So, what’s changed since their implementation? Let’s take a look. 

At its most basic, net metering is an agreement between utility

In keeping with several other states, North Carolina is showing a clear commitment to clean energy, sustainability and equitable income. 

In early 2022, Governor Roy Cooper signed several executive orders (EOs) geared toward making the state more environmentally friendly. These included EO 246, which set goals for achieving net-zero emissions in North Carolina over the coming decades.

With fuel, natural gas and electricity costs on the rise, energy inflation is cutting into the average American’s monthly budget. In many states, this is hastening the transition to solar energy.

This is especially true in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In fact, Virginia recently surged into the top five states in the nation for solar capacity.

Dominion

To the surprise of many, LG is no longer manufacturing solar panels. But it’s not the only solar company that’s folding. 

Many have closed entirely, gone bankrupt, been acquired and even sold off. 

But with LG — one of the most notable popular companies to manufacture solar panels — closing its doors to solar, many are wondering where they

As of February 2022, President Joe Biden extended tariffs that the Trump administration placed on solar panel imports. However, the range of solar products that the tariffs affect is smaller. 

The decision involves a tariff decrease from 30% to between 14% and 15% on imported crystalline silicon solar products for the next four years. Although bifacial solar panels are

Utility companies across the United States are making their biggest spending increase in decades. 

Aging power grids, rising electric vehicle (EV) use and the gradual transition to renewable energy reliance will induce higher rates for customers. 

Here’s a look into what’s going on and what you can expect. 

Just between February 2021 and February

Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC), the largest member-owned electrical co-op in the country, has revised its net-metering policy. This raises the cost of utility bills for its members with solar energy and discourages homeowners from adopting solar. With demand for electricity continuing to grow and the aging electrical grid undergoing increased strain, PEC should prioritize higher solar adoption for its members

Byron Kominek’s farm — rebranded as Jack’s Solar Garden — sits right outside Boulder, Colorado, in the city of Longmount. It’s one of the most thriving agrivoltaic farms in the country. 

However, its 24 acres weren’t always prosperous.

The farm mostly produced hay over the past 50 years. Now, it’s gone through a major transformation

Colorado Springs recently got its first solar co-op, making it the 10th total in the state.

Solar United Neighbors, a nonprofit that advocates for energy rights and educates residents on solar power, set up the co-op. Its creation comes after an increasing number of Colorado Springs residents have chosen to install solar panels. The city sees more than 1,000

“Florida’s leadership on solar has not only provided residents with clean, renewable power but has also given other cities an excellent example on how to make it happen.”

—Ryann Lynn, Environment Florida Research and Policy Center

The Environment America Research and Policy Center, a national network of environmental groups, released a report ranking the nation’s top solar energy

“These assets still produce 80% power, so why are we throwing them away?” – Rich Stromberg, Equitable Solar Solutions Director

Solar technology isn’t new. It has been gradually improving overtime, leading longtime solar energy users to update their panels when they become outdated. 

So what happens when solar system owners make a replacement?

Luckily, there are organizations that work

On December 7, 2021, Denver-based nonprofit Arc Thrift Stores announced its partnership with SunShare, a solar energy company also in Denver. 

Through this coalition, Arc Thrift Stores will power all 30 of its locations with community solar energy. This creates a more sustainable business model for the company — and allows the community to reap a range of benefits.