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, …
Category Archives: Utility
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 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 …
What 2017 could hold for the solar industry
Looking back at 2016, it was a banner year for renewable energy in general and for solar power in particular. Although the political climate around the world was tumultuous and unpredictable throughout the year, solar deployments continued to make inroads everywhere from China to the U.S. Let’s look at what some of the major trends …
Solar industry on upswing despite low price of traditional energy sources
The energy industry is currently undergoing a major revolution as solar power continues to move into areas previously reserved solely for traditional energy sources. This shift toward clean energy production comes even as the price of traditional sources declines, indicating a growing demand for renewable energy sources that extends beyond merely economic factors, although cost …
Oregon creates economic incentive for utility-scale solar [Video]
Shortly after establishing its goal to have a 50 percent Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard by 2040, Oregon passed more legislation to boost its solar industry. The new law establishes a financial incentive program for utility-scale solar projects. Under the new legislation, the state will compensate projects generating between 2 MW and 10 MW of solar energy …
