Topics - Solar Technologies
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Solar Market Insight 2013 Q3
The U.S. installed 930 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaics (PV) in Q3 2013, up 20 percent over Q2 2013 and 35 percent over Q3 2012. This represents the second largest quarter in the history of the U.S. solar market and the largest quarter ever for residential PV installations. Even more importantly, 2013 is likely to be the first time in more than 15 years that the U.S. installs more solar capacity than world leader Germany, according to GTM Research forecasts.
IKEA to Build South Florida's Largest Solar Array
South Florida will soon get its largest solar array, 4,620 panels installed on the roof of a new IKEA store set to open in the Miami area next summer.
Solar Panels The New Granite Countertops, But Not For Long…
Home solar panels are “the new granite countertops,” according to Tom Werner, CEO of US-based SunPower, one of the largest solar panel companies in the world. What does that mean? That means that, for an increasing number of new homeowners, solar panels are becoming an add-on right from the beginning. Furthermore, Werner is confident home solar panels will move beyond the “granite countertops phase” to mass adoption rather quickly.
SEIA Leadership Urges Industry to Unite in Face of Challenges
CHICAGO, IL -- Speaking at the opening session of Solar Power International 2013 -- the largest solar trade show in America -- Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association delivered the following remarks:Good afternoon everyone. Welcome to Chicago. Welcome to SPI 2013. And welcome to the Big Leagues.
Solar Power to the People: The Rise of Rooftop Solar Among the Middle Class
Homeowners across the United States have begun a rooftop solar revolution. Since 2000, more than 1,460 megawatts of residential solar installations have been installed across the country, and more than 80 percent of that capacity was added in the past four years. In 2012 alone, rooftop solar installations reached 488 megawatts, a 62 percent increase over 2011 installations and nearly double the installed capacity added in 2010.
Solar ‘Gardens’ Let Communities Share Renewable Power
In northern New Mexico the sun shines nearly every day of the year. If solar energy is going to be viable anywhere, it will be here—and a small electric cooperative in historic Taos is taking advantage of it. In addition to supporting new solar projects in its service area, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative is offering its customers the opportunity to buy solar energy from “plots” in a “garden” of solar power generation.
Japan Next-Generation Farmers Cultivate Crops and Solar Energy
Farmers in Japan can now generate solar electricity while growing crops on the same farmland. In April, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) approved the installation of PV systems on existing crop-producing farmland. Previously solar generation on farmland, productive or idle, was prohibited under the Agricultural Land Act. This co-existence or double-generation is known as “Solar Sharing” in Japan. The concept was originally developed by Akira Nagashima in 2004, who was a retired agricultural machinery engineer who later studied biology and learned the “light saturation point.” The rate of photosynthesis increases as the irradiance level is increased; however at one point, any further increase in the amount of light that strikes the plant does not cause any increase to the rate of photosynthesis.
University Creates "World's First Walkable Solar Panel Pathway"
We typically see photovoltaic panels up on roofs, as they're broad, open surfaces that receive a lot of sunlight. You know what else spends a lot of time in the scorching sun, though? Sidewalks. With that in mind, a team at Washington DC's The George Washington University has created what is claimed to be "the first walkable solar-paneled pathway in the world."
Solar Means Business Infographic: Top 10 Brands that have #GoneSolar 2013
Solar Means Business: The Top 10 Brands that have #gonesolar!The most iconic brands in the U.S. are recognizing that installing solar gives them a competitive edge in today's market. Check out the top 10 businesses that have #GoneSolar in the infographic below.
Solar Means Business Report Archives
SEIA's Solar Means Business report ranks the top brands in the U.S. based on their installation of solar power at their warehouses, stores and facilities. Nationwide, large and small companies are lowering their energy expenditures, improving their bottom lines and gaining competitive advantages with solar.