Welcome to your weekly solar news report! This week, we’re going to take a look at the beautiful new residential solar panels from Solaria. Hopefully if you’re truly interested in residential solar, you wouldn’t let a silly thing like aesthetics hold you back. But wouldn’t it be great if you didn’t have to sacrifice the look of your roof to get the benefits of a residential solar system?
As it turns out, homeowners are deterred by the aesthetics of solar panels. In fact, one study shows that for a whopping 40% of potential buyers, aesthetics is the most important variable in choosing solar panels. Solaria understands this, and creating better-looking panels is one of their three big focuses for the coming years. They’re doing pretty well so far with their all-black, 370 watt 20% efficiency panels currently available (pictured above). To refine even further, they are working with railing manufacturers to reduce the profile of the panels. And they are exploring the option of removing racking entirely and integrating panels right into the roof at the time of its installation.
What this means
With companies like Solaria driving innovation in the residential solar market, it’s easy to imagine a future where all new homes have solar built right into the roof. In the meantime, for those of you who just can’t get past the look of traditional panels, you can give Solaria’s all-black model a try. Read the full article >
More solar news
The state’s 2019 IRP sees just over 11 GW solar power, and at least 11 GW – with up to 19 GW – of energy storage necessary to meet resource adequacy as part of the state’s legally required 60% renewable portfolio standard by 2030 as prices have fallen 50% since 2017. Read the full article >
The California Energy Commission has delayed a decision on a utility proposal to use large-scale solar to meet pending solar home mandate requirements, with commissioner comments suggesting a refinement of the community solar aspect of the mandate is coming. Read the full article >
Modules and inverters and trackers, oh my! PV InfoLink sees as low as 21¢/W modules on the spot market, Kaco has released a series of 1000V and 1500V inverters between 87 and 150 kW, Mechatron’s dual axis tracker took the place of a carport, and Drone Magnetic Survey Company has figured out that there’s a niche finding old wells and metal under solar fields! Read the full article >
An analysis by a utility backed group suggests that the competitive market for solar power is producing better rates than the legally required PURPA marketplace, suggesting revisions to the pricing mechanism. Market activity suggests the political lever of the tool is still needed though, and the report has some issues. Read the full article >
Four California CCAs have combined to release a joint RFP in Alameda, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties for developers to build out distributed energy storage at local homes, multifamily properties, and commercial buildings that can keep the locations running when the grid is powered down. Read the full article >
As always, if you have questions about anything here, contact the Commercial Solar Guy. If you missed last week’s briefing, you can read all about bifacial solar panels and JP Morgan here. Until next week…
