SolarWorld Americas comments on duties exemptions for competitors, SunPower
Shortly before the announcement of its acquisition by SunPower, SolarWorld’s former U.S. subsidiary commented on the request by its competitors to be exempt from the new U.S. solar PV import tariffs.
US: ESA lays path for 35 GW of energy storage by 2025
National trade association, the ESA has published a roadmap for the adoption of 35 GW of energy storage in the U.S., as well as outlining the benefits of such a move. pv magazine USA spoke with CEO, Kelly Speakes-Backman about storage and the challenges of state-level advocacy at ESA’s annual conference in Boston.
Microlink Devices hits 37.75% efficiency for triple junction cell
U.S. technology company Microlink Devices has achieved a record efficiency of 37.75% on its triple junction thin film cells. The lightweight cell achieves a power density of more than 3000 W/kg, and is designed for use in satellites and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). The new efficiency record is confirmed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
SunPower to buy SolarWorld Americas
The two biggest names in the solar trade fight will now be one company. SunPower will again be a U.S. manufacturer, and SolarWorld will begin producing P-Series modules.
US: SEIA reports 18 companies reducing solar deployment, workforce in 2018
U.S. solar trade organization, Solar Energy Idustries Association (SEIA) has listed cancelled investments and hiring as well as job losses in its comments supporting requests for exclusion from Section 201 tariffs.
NREL develops open source tool to monitor PV plant performance & degradation
The U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has launched a new software package, developed alongside SunPower and kWh Analytics, which it says will improve the accuracy and reliability of PV plant performance data, and improve the industry’s understanding of degradation.
US: California researchers convert waste heat into electricity
Scientists from the University of California, Riverside, have developed thermoelectric devices, which can transform low-level waste heat into electricity. The scientists theorize that these devices could be used to boost a solar PV system’s output, harnessing heat as well as light from the sun.
Apple claims to be 100% renewable-powered
Technology multinational, Apple Inc. has announced that its global operations are now 100% powered by clean energy. Additionally, another nine of Apple’s manufacturing partners have committed to powering their production with 100% clean energy, meaning a total of 23 suppliers have now made this commitment.
Portugal’s EDP secures contract for 200 MW US PV project
At 200 MW the project is not only by far the largest in the state, but would increase Indiana’s current cumulative solar capacity by more than 70%.
Korea, Japan to retaliate over US solar tariffs
Korea is making good on an earlier promise, and now Japan has joined in. Both nations demand that the Trump Administration reverse the tariffs, or suffer an equivalent volume of retaliatory tariffs.
