Recent solar energy news has highlighted a number of promising developments. Reliance Energy has announced plans to invest up to $7.5 billion in a green energy hub in India that will include polysilicon production. Meanwhile, Hemlock Semiconductor has turned on idle capacity for solar-grade polysilicon in Michigan. In addition, REC Silicon has committed to reopening a polysilicon facility in Washington state, saying that producers don’t want to rely on volatile sources.
Another great resource for solar energy news is the SEIA Weekly Array. This is a publication that covers solar industry news on a daily basis. It includes information on government regulations and incentives, as well as news related to solar energy in general. The articles provide a good balance of information about the state of the solar industry and solar power. In addition, these articles can help you make the right decision on the right solar technology for your home.
Solar technology is advancing rapidly. As a result, the global solar market is growing. By 2023, the world is expected to have more than a trillion watts of installed solar PV capacity. This presents immense opportunity and massive potential. Solar technology is also helping the environment by reducing energy costs for businesses and utilities. One of the best ways to make use of solar technology is to build a solar panel atop your house.
Meanwhile, research into new materials could lead to more efficient solar cells. The synthesis of new materials such as perovskites could ultimately lead to more environmentally-friendly products. These materials also tend to be inexpensive. Perovskites are also becoming increasingly popular for photodetectors in optical devices. They may eventually become an important component of solar energy grids.
Aside from solar power, researchers are also developing new technologies that produce renewable fuels. A new system that uses water, CO2, and sunlight to produce fuel could eventually provide aviation fuel. Researchers have also engineered a biofilm that captures evaporation energy, which could be used to generate electricity. In addition, dye-sensitized solar cells are promising next-generation technologies for solar power.
Another major development is the reduction of subsidies for solar panel makers. This is expected to increase competition among solar projects. This could be a detriment for Chinese manufacturers, which dominate the solar market. China may be forced to withdraw from the market if the central government cuts its support. The new rules must also make sure that solar projects are responsible for recycling the first wave of waste that results from their production. In turn, this will benefit the global environment.
In other solar energy news, CenterPoint Energy has been granted permission to buy a 300-megawatt solar power development in Posey County, Indiana. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has also approved a 100-megawatt solar power development in Warrick County. The decision comes amid a climate change conference that will include U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Democratic U.S. senators.
Despite skeptics’ concerns that solar farms could smother American farmland, the solar energy industry is growing at record speeds and is now bringing positive changes to the agricultural sector. In fact, both the solar energy and electric vehicle markets are growing at record rates. Agrivoltaics is not suitable for all farming situations, but it should be a priority in communities of color and those at risk of social and environmental injustice.
