Clearway Energy Group has started construction on Swan Energy Center, a 650-MW solar facility located on portions of strip-mined land in northwestern Bates County, Missouri. The project is Clearway’s first in Missouri and is contracted under a 20-year power purchase agreement. Swan Energy Center will generate enough electricity annually to meet the needs of approximately… The post Missouri utility solar project will occupy former strip mine land appeared first on Solar Power World.

Tesla announced today that AC bidirectional charging capabilities are now available for new Model 3 and Model Y electrical vehicles paired with the Powerwall 3 home battery. The Powershare Home Backup program was previously only available to Cybertruck owners. With Powershare Home Backup, customers can draw power directly from their vehicles to power their homes,… The post Tesla’s full EV lineup can now also provide home backup energy appeared first on Solar Power World.

D3Energy, a U.S. floating solar developer and EPC contractor, has deployed a floating solar photovoltaic system at Universal Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida. The 1.4-MW floating solar system was energized earlier this year and now operates as part of the new theme park’s broader renewable energy program. It is one of three on-site… The post Universal theme park thrills powered by floating solar project appeared first on Solar Power World.

HelioVolta today published its fourth annual “SolarGrade PV Health Report,” assessing quality and workmanship across 1,500+ solar assets in the United States that were inspected by HelioVolta’s field engineers. The report’s key findings include: Quality issues can raise a PV system’s levelized cost of energy (LCOE) by more than 20%, driven by lost production and… The post HelioVolta report: Quality issues raise solar system’s LCOE by 20% appeared first on Solar Power World.

First Solar has filed a lawsuit in U.S. district court against JA Solar, together with American Panel Solutions, alleging infringement of First Solar’s U.S. Patent No. 9,130,074. The ‘074 patent covers methods of manufacturing TOPCon silicon solar cells. “We have been clear that we will actively defend our intellectual property rights in the U.S. and… The post First Solar files TOPCon patent infringement lawsuit against JA Solar, American Panel Solutions appeared first on Solar Power World.

Amusement park Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles County, California, has energized its 12.37-MW solar project, which was developed in collaboration with Solar Optimum. The project is the largest solar carport installation in California and one of the largest single-site commercial solar carport projects in the United States. It’s designed to offset 100% of… The post Six Flags brings new meaning to ‘solarcoaster’ with completed PV project appeared first on Solar Power World.

DTE Energy has completed construction on the 100-MW Cold Creek Solar Park near Coldwater, Michigan, which is supporting Ford Motor Company’s decarbonization goals. Ford agreed to purchase up to 650 MW of renewable energy through DTE’s CleanVision MIGreenPower program, which lets homes and businesses attribute their energy use to clean, Michigan-made renewable power. By the… The post 100-MW Michigan solar project supports Ford automotive appeared first on Solar Power World.

The second phase of the Black Hollow Sun solar project near Severance, Colorado, is now complete. ContourGlobal developed the full 324-MW project for the Platte River Power Authority. “This project represents years of commitment, perseverance and partnership,” said Jason Frisbie, general manager and CEO of Platte River. “From project selection in 2019 through global supply… The post Northern Colorado’s largest solar project comes online appeared first on Solar Power World.

It was a busy day yesterday for California Gov. Gavin Newsom, as he signed into law a handful of bills that are positive for the solar industry. He also signed legislation that approves “balcony solar” systems in the state. SB 868, known as the Plug and Play Solar Act, eliminates the red tape that has… The post California is 10th state to legalize balcony solar appeared first on Solar Power World.

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is being updated with new and longer stipulations for renewable energy projects to qualify for these grants. Historically, REAP has provided grants to rural farmers and small business owners for renewable energy projects. The program gave grants valued at 25% of a qualifying project’s cost, and the Inflation… The post REAP grant update makes solar projects on farmland ineligible appeared first on Solar Power World.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed SB 913 and SB 905, two bills that allow for virtual power plants (VPPs) throughout the state. Together they are the legislative session’s clearest attempt to hold down electricity bills by using equipment installed at homes and businesses rather than expanding utility expenditures which are passed on to customers.… The post California governor signs bills approving virtual power plants appeared first on Solar Power World.

Silfab Solar has outlined a plan to bring online its solar cell production facility in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The community on the North Carolina border has vocalized safety concerns about the operation of the plant. Silfab voluntarily retained TRC Engineers to provide third-party engineering evaluation of the leak prevention and response methods and procedures… The post After third-party safety tests, Silfab will move into full production at SC solar cell plant appeared first on Solar Power World.