Utility Scale

Solar companies raised $34B in 2023, most in a decade

The finding comes in Mercom Capital Group’s annual report on funding and merger and acquisition (M&A) activity for the solar sector. Total corporate funding includes venture capital (VC) funding, public market, and debt financing into the solar sector.

Americans say they don’t mind utility-scale solar. Why isn’t more getting built?

01.18.2024

Despite national polls showing broad support for large-scale solar (LSS) among rural Americans, LSS developers now report that community opposition and restrictive siting ordinances are leading causes of project delays and cancellations.

US opens 22 million acres for solar development in the West

01.18.2024

announced an updated roadmap for solar energy development across the West, meant to expand solar energy production in more Western states and make renewable energy siting and permitting on America’s public lands more efficient.

EIA: Solar and wind to lead U.S. generation growth for next two years

01.16.2024

As a result of new solar projects coming online this year, the EIA forecasts that U.S. solar power generation will grow 75% from 163 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2023 to 286 billion kWh in 2025. The administration expects that wind power generation will grow 11% from 430 billion kWh in 2023 to 476 billion kWh in 2025.

States with big climate goals strip local power to block green projects

01.16.2024

More than a dozen states have given themselves the power to override local zoning restrictions blocking large-scale renewable energy projects. The decisions come as some states implement ambitious goals requiring utility providers to generate 100% carbon-free energy by 2040.

Intersect Power’s 828 MWp Texas solar project begins commercial operation

01.12.2024

Built with First Solar panels, the company said the project created more than 900 jobs at peak construction.

NREL scenarios project huge growth in solar/wind, lower emissions, more tax credits

01.10.2024

The Standard Scenarios is one of several annually updated NREL products designed to support decision-makers in the U.S. electricity sector.

Qcells and Microsoft expand solar plans to 12 GW

Energy solutions provider Qcells is expanding its partnership with Microsoft, inking an eight-year strategic alliance….

First Solar to sell up to $700M in 45X tax credits

First Solar is selling up to $700 million in Section 45X tax credits to Fiserv, marking a first-of-its kind transaction in the solar industry….

Wisconsin’s largest solar project is now operational

The largest solar project in Wisconsin, the 300 MW Badger Hollow Solar Farm in Iowa County, is now fully operational….

Nextracker completes its separation from Flex

Nextracker has finalized its separation from Flex Ltd, spinning off assets and returning Nextracker to an independent company….

Iberdrola Spain obtains environmental permit for first hybrid hydroelectric and solar installation

Iberdrola Spain has obtained environmental approval for the first hybrid plant in the country that combines a photovoltaic and hydroelectric installation….

India’s largest solar manufacturer to open 3 GW PV factory in Texas

Waaree, India’s largest solar PV manufacturer, is putting $1 billion into its first U.S. manufacturing facility near Houston, Texas. …

Blame it on the rain! NREL says precipitation can’t completely clean pollen from solar panels

NREL research found solar panels affected by pollen will not return to their “cleaned” production levels on their own, even after rainfall….

Australian CSP company Vast completes SPAC deal to list on Nasdaq

Vast’s proprietary CSP system uses a modular tower design and a sodium loop for heat transfer to efficiently capture and store solar heat….

SRP and NextEra commission 100-MW battery system to store Arizona solar power

SRP and NextEra have commissioned a 100-MW battery energy storage system with a four-hour duration to store energy produced by Saint Solar….