Solar power generation is growing rapidly in the U.S. According to a report from GTM Research, the U.S. solar market will reach an impressive 13.2 gigawatts of solar energy in 2017. The utility sector is expected to account for 66 percent of installations this year. The proven success of utility-scale solar in states including California, Arizona and Nevada, …
Author Archives: Helen
Using solar power as an investment vehicle
Solar power offers many different benefits for almost everyone, from lowered energy costs to a reduction in a carbon footprint. In addition to these advantages to using solar, this energy source also works as a great investment vehicle. For many individuals, companies and groups that opt to go solar, a significant return on investment can …
Demystifying the National Electric Code and how these standards impact the solar sector
Any product that utilizes and produces electricity needs to be regulated with a strict set of standards, and solar panels are no different. The National Electric Code, established by the National Fire Protection Association, a private trade association, codifies the rules for installing, operating and maintaining solar panels in a variety of settings, from residential roof tops …
The solar power procurement journey
Solar power is all the rage nowadays and many government agencies and other public sector entities are scrambling to find out how they too can cut energy costs, reduce emissions and contribute to building a more sustainable planet. As stable institutions with a steady revenue stream from taxes, along with the ability to issue generally …
Asset management: Solar plant development from planning through commissioning
The more experienced regulators and utilities become with the processes that comprise getting distributed energy connected to the grid, the more efficient they’re getting. To highlight the ways utility companies, project managers and solar manufacturers are working to expedite the interconnecting process, Trina Solar, in partnership with Smart Electric Power Alliance, recently hosted a webinar …
How the national solar business code benefits companies and consumers
Although solar power provides end users with the freedom to generate a clean, renewable source of energy from their own property, there are some guidelines and rules that must be followed. These rules are designed to provide a basis for maintaining a safe and effective solar system. With a variety of solar panels, installation types …
How can you evaluate a company’s bankability?
For consumers investing in solar technology either through a residential, commercial or utility scale solar project, accessing a solar manufacturer’s bankability can be a valuable tool in determining the performance, reliability and durability of its systems. Bankability speaks to the confidence lenders and other investors have in a solar panel manufacturer. It can represent how systems perform over time, …
Solar’s ROI potential for homes and businesses
The economic benefits of solar energy are becoming increasingly apparent as innovations in technology make photovoltaic systems more affordable while government programs also offer additional incentives for private and commercial investment in renewable technology. However, the fact remains, solar energy is not attainable without the upfront cost of purchasing and installing modules that will generate electricity. While …
Trina overcomes tight deadlines to bring one of Georgia’s largest solar projects online
Origis Energy is a developer of solar power facilities throughout the world, and has successfully implemented utility-scale solar projects in Italy, Belgium, Slovakia, Greece and other international locations. However, when Origis began work on a solar project in Camilla, Georgia, for utility company Georgia Power, it ran into difficulties with tight deadlines and limited supplies. Located on …
How the neighbor effect influences residential solar panels installations
People all around the country are rapidly learning of the many advantages involved in owning a rooftop solar PV system. While the cost savings and eco-friendly benefits can be displayed for interested parties in lists and charts, sometimes these data points aren’t effective enough to help people make the final decision to install solar panels …
