More and more people are interested in ‘going solar,’ but most people cannot put solar panels on their roof. Imagine this: you want to go solar, get an on-site assessment, and find out that your roof is not adequate due to tree shading, direction of the roof, or age of the roof. Over the last couple of years, community solar has emerged as a solution to this problem.
Read MoreExelon is becoming known for its emphasis on the public purpose microgrid. Less well known, but possibly more significant, is early work the utility giant has underway that could lead to a ‘grid of microgrids.’
Read MoreIn recent years, solar has seen an unprecedented rise in installations, both on a large and small scale. Energy storage, however, hasn’t quite kept pace. Though home batteries present significant advantages to households with solar panels, many consumers spring for the panels, seeing the economic and environmental benefit, but choose not to install a home battery to store the unused solar energy they generate.
Read MoreAs the renewable energy industry matures, the need for smart energy control systems continues to emerge. This is one theme that the two Intersolars are showcasing this year. Intersolar Europe, which took place in Munich June 22-24 saw 1,000+ exhibitors out of which 350 were in the energy storage industry. Intersolar North America, which takes place next week in San Francisco will welcome solar and energy storage companies from across the globe and offer educational workshops on all topics related to smart energy.
The solar market is booming worldwide. The Global Market Outlook 2016–2020 report by SolarPower Europe, which was unveiled at the EU show indicated that by the end of 2015, a total of 229 gigawatts (GW) of photovoltaic (PV) capacity had been installed worldwide, which equates to a 45-fold growth in just ten years. What’s more, the association predicts that this amount could rise to 700 GW by 2020.
Read MoreTesla Motors Inc.’s offer to buy SolarCity Corp. would combine two already deeply linked companies to offer clean energy enthusiasts a one-stop shop.
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One of the problems with traditional commercial rooftop solar is that it’s mighty heavy. Since commercial roofs tend to be very flat and commercial systems very large, the roofs often cannot withstand the weight of traditional ballasted systems that use heavy concrete blocks to help hold down the panels. The only other option for commercial roofs are solar systems that are mechanically attached to the roof, meaning that installers need to drill holes into the roof, potentially compromising its integrity.
Beamreach, formerly Solexel, thinks it has a better mousetrap. The company is unveiling its new name and “Sprint” rooftop system this week at Intersolar Europe. Sprint integrates racking into the panel. To install panels on a roof, installers need only flip down an already-integrated adhesive-covered “foot” and step on it to adhere the system to the roof.
According to Mark Kerstens, CEO, rows of panels can also be spaced about 30 percent closer together because “if you have early morning or late afternoon shading from the top of one row to the bottom of
Read MoreVermont utility Green Mountain Power last week selected a Waitsfield, Vt.-based solar solutions provider to move into the utility’s headquarters to explore innovative solutions in energy storage.
Read MoreVivint Solar Inc., the second-largest U.S. rooftop solar company, is seeking a financing package of about $300 million to help grow its operations, according to two people familiar with the deal.
Read MoreSunPower Corp. and Consolidated Edison Inc. plan to offer rooftop solar panels bundled with batteries to more than 300 New York residential customers, creating a system that will be able to store energy to feed the grid.
Read MorePlease Listen Up to this week’s Energy Show on Renewable Energy World as we welcome Jay Welsh, CEO of Solar Maids, the leading professional panel cleaning service.
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