U.S.: Vistra to build Texas’ largest solar plant
The power company has bought the 180 MW Upton County Solar 2 project in West Texas, and signed a contract to have the project built.
GCL unveils 165 MW of EPC deals with Xi’an Datang Electric
Subsidiaries of GCL New Energy Holdings have selected Xi’an Datang Electric Power Design and Research Institute to provide EPC services for 165 MW of solar capacity at three sites in China.
Penn State researchers develop low-cost solar cell
A research team at Penn State University has developed solar cells of up to 17% efficiency using a simplified concept requiring only one semiconductor material. Thanks to their potential for low-cost production, the researchers theorize that the cells could be used to provide power to energy poor communities the world over.
Report: Suniva case could destabilize global supply chain (with chart)
IHS Markit says the complaint could also cause the U.S. market to crater 60% by 2021, causing global module oversupply and driving module prices ever lower.
Mercedez Benz enters U.S. battery market with Vivint partnership
The German manufacturer, in partnership with the No. 2 residential solar installer in the United States, will bring customizable home energy storage systems to the United States.
NREL develops controllable quantum dot systems
Researchers at the United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have developed a new designer quantum dot system, which allows for greater control over optoelectronic properties of the materials.
Energy trade groups send grid reliability reports to Energy Secretary Perry
SEIA, ACORE, AEE and AWEA express concerns that the former Texas Governor is starting his inquiry into grid reliability with a faulty premise by conflating coal and nuclear generation with reliability.
U.S. residential solar market contracts 17% during Q1
According to the soon-to-be-released report from GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association, a severe contraction in California headlined the nationwide slide.
Sky Solar posts $3 million net profit in 2016
Net income hit $3.3 million in the 12 months to the end of December, from a net loss of $1.6 million a year earlier, although the Hong Kong-based PV independent power producer recorded a net loss of $8.7 million in the fourth quarter, from $7.4 million in the final three months of 2015.
Lyndon Rive to leave Tesla in June
The SolarCity founder says he is leaving to take time off and start a new venture, as Tesla’s solar sales volume contracts and the company shifts focus to profit and new products instead of growth.
