New renewable energy is already cheaper than continuing to operate coal plants in much of the world, according to a recently released report by the Rocky Mountain Institute, Carbon Tracker Initiative and Sierra Club. The report, How to Retire Early: Making Accelerated Coal Phase-Out Feasible and Just, lays out specific financial strategies that utilities and […]

The post Coal is Becoming Increasingly Difficult to Justify appeared first on Solar Industry.

SMA America, a global specialist in photovoltaic system technology, has launched a new Online Service Center to elevate service quality and expedite response.  Installers can now access resources that previously required calling a service technician. In the new online service center, customers can track the progress of a service case or inverter exchange, request a rebate, […]

The post SMA America Launches Online Service Center in the U.S. appeared first on Solar Industry.

Generac Power Systems has introduced the PWRzone, a total solar system installation that uses fewer complex components than module-level power electronics (MLPEs). Generac’s PWRzone system solves several problems faced by solar installers using traditional equipment: high failure rates, low efficiency and complex installations. Systems often require multiple connection points and hundreds of complex electrical parts, […]

The post Generac Introduces PWRzone Solar Installation Technology appeared first on Solar Industry.

Avista has issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking renewable energy project developers that are capable of constructing, owning and operating up to 120 average MW (aMW) AC, whether through one or multiple proposals with a minimum net annual output of 20 aMW AC.  Avista’s intent is to secure the output from renewable generation resources, […]

The post Avista Issues RFP for Renewable Energy Project Developers appeared first on Solar Industry.

Inovateus Solar has commenced construction on the first solar power plant in Logansport, Ind. Inovateus is developing the installation for the Logansport Municipal Utility (LMU). Financed by a power purchase agreement (PPA), the solar installation will reduce LMU’s carbon emissions, help to stabilize energy costs for LMU’s customers and also host a bee and butterfly […]

The post Inovateus Solar Begins Construction on LMU’s First Solar Project appeared first on Solar Industry.

Idemitsu Renewables, a U.S.-based renewable energy business of Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd., has closed on debt financing for its 50 MWp Central 40 solar project in Stanislaus County, Calif. Debt financing was provided by KeyBank National Association. KeyBanc Capital Markets served as sole arranger of the financing. “This project expands Idemitsu Renewables’ operating business in […]

The post Idemitsu Renewables Closes on Debt Financing for California Solar Project appeared first on Solar Industry.

Vivint Solar, a full-service residential solar provider, has secured $300 million in new tax equity financing commitments from two repeat investors to support the growth of the company’s residential solar business.  With the addition of these two tax equity commitments, Vivint Solar has committed financing capacity for approximately 185 MW. The investment is expected to […]

The post Vivint Solar Secures Tax Equity Financing Commitments appeared first on Solar Industry.

AutoGrid, a company that provides flexible management software for the energy industry, has entered a partnership with Sunrun Inc. to provide AutoGrid Flex Virtual Power Plant (VPP) software to help manage Sunrun’s growing fleet of residential batteries across the U.S. Under the partnership, Sunrun will use features of the AutoGrid Flex platform to help manage […]

The post AutoGrid Flex, Sunrun Partner to Manage Residential Batteries appeared first on Solar Industry.

House Democrats have revealed a green tax package that offers tax incentives to the renewable energy industry, for electric vehicles (EVs) and for other environmentally conscious companies, according to recent reporting from The Hill. “This bill uses our tax code to expand the deployment of renewable energy by extending and expanding the federal tax incentives […]

The post Green Tax Package to be Considered in the House appeared first on Solar Industry.

Generac Power Systems has introduced the PWRzone, a total solar system installation that uses fewer complex components than module-level power electronics (MLPEs). Generac’s PWRzone system solves several problems faced by solar installers using traditional equipment: high failure rates, low efficiency and complex installations. Systems often require multiple connection points and hundreds of complex electrical parts, […]

The post Generac Introduces the PWRzone Solar Installation Technology appeared first on Solar Industry.

Sunpro Solar, a solar installation company, has been selected by Unirac as a Certified Platinum Installer. Certified partners have the full backing of Unirac, a company that specializes in mounting and racking.  The platinum-tier certification in this industry-first program is designed to differentiate top installers while bringing significant benefits to homeowners. “It’s clear from solar […]

The post Sunpro Solar Selected by Unirac as Certified Installer appeared first on Solar Industry.

Enphase Energy Inc. and Q CELLS have entered a strategic partnership to develop Enphase Energized Q CELLS AC Modules (ACMs) based on seventh-generation Enphase IQ microinverters.  The first Enphase and Q CELLS-developed ACMs will be available from major distributors in the U.S. starting in July. The Q.PEAK DUO BLK-G6+/AC 340-345 ACM features the Enphase IQ […]

The post Enphase Energy, Q CELLS Enter AC Module Partnership appeared first on Solar Industry.