Cell cracking is a hidden performance issue in solar PV systems. The issue often goes unnoticed as it is challenging to detect and measure. In this post, we discuss the causes and consequences of cell cracking and propose potential solutions for addressing this critical problem.
Read MoreCEA’s George Toloupas wrote about scaling challenges of green hydrogen production which requires subsidies and policy support. These challenges include reducing costs, increasing efficiency, and locating projects in regions with abundant low-cost renewable energy.
Read MoreWhile the adoption of C&I solar rooftops has grown extensively, the industry has encountered safety concerns, including fires and other safety risks. CEA has conducted safety audits on over 600 commercial PV rooftops, and has found significant safety problems in 97% of them. Here’s how developers and end-users prevent the common causes before incidents occur.
Read MoreIn a recent interview, George Touloupas - green hydrogen technology expert at CEA - shared his insights on the current state of green hydrogen technology and its future prospects. Here are the key takeaways from this discussion.
Read MoreThe solar industry has been facing significant supply chain turbulence, resulting in various challenges such as contract breaches, project delays, and frayed relationships between module suppliers and buyers. To navigate this complex environment, CEA’s Martin Deak has developed a comprehensive buyer guide that sheds light on the key issues affecting the PV procurement landscape.
Read MoreCEA’s Vice President of Manufacturing Services, Mark Hagedorn, discusses the key factors to consider when selecting a site for clean energy gigafactory.
Read MoreCEA’s Joerg Althaus reports that renewables developers need to be cautious about the high defect rates linked to new factories, given the multitude of new production lines that have been announced following the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the European Union's adoption of President Joe Biden's approach.
Read MoreGeorge Touloupas, CEA's Senior Director for Technology and Quality, analyzes the price premium that solar developers will need to accept in exchange for the LCOE savings offered by the next generation of high efficiency PV panels.
Read MoreIn this PV Tech article, CEA’s VP of Market Intelligence, Dan Shreve, walks through how solar and storage industry participants can develop measures to maximize opportunities and mitigate risks in 2023.
Read MoreAs the US Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act demonstrated, companies preparing to spend big on batteries are at risk of being blindsided by supply-chain-related legislation. Here are some tips on how US developers can anticipate policy curveballs.
Read MoreCEA’s Senior Director of Technology & Quality, George Touloupas, explores the prevailing progress trends in multiple components of the PV module, and how new technologies are affecting the quality of the manufactured PV module and the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE).
Read MoreCEA's VP of Market Intelligence, Dan Shreve, shares insights on how U.S. anti-circ measures between the US and Southeast Asia will affect the industry in the near term.
Read MoreGoing above and beyond can drive up costs when it comes to solar project features such as racking height and module glass strength. But in an ever-warming world, it could take only one extreme weather event to destroy investments. Clean Energy Associates VP - Technology Paul Wormser offers a few tips for developers.
Read MoreCEA recently conducted market due diligence to assess the feasibility of Canadian Premium Sand’s plans to build a patterned solar glass manufacturing facility in Canada.
Read MoreDomestic clean energy manufacturers have already begun announcing significant increases in US production capacity as a result of Joe Biden’s ambitious Inflation Reduction Act. The challenge of site selection for this increased number of production lines will now be center stage. CEA’s Mark Hagedorn looks at the qualities that make for the perfect gigafactory site.
Read MoreThe worst effects of the pandemic may have passed, but supply chain disruptions continue to be felt across the world. The disruption of the battery energy storage system (BESS) supply chain is no different. In this article, CEA outlines strategies that companies embarking on large-scale BESS projects can take to overcome these challenges.
Read MoreAs the pace of solar installations quickens, developers are racing to find the best remaining sites and optimize their position in interconnection queues. But what if the best investment opportunity is hidden in a site built a decade or more ago? CEA’s Chris Chappell and Stephen Shirey examine what can be done to unlock the value in legacy solar sites.
Read MoreCEA’s Senior Policy Analyst, Christian Roselund, looks at the state of the solar supply chain, and what we can expect, under a few different scenarios of how the anti-circumvention investigation may play out.
Read MoreThere’s good news and not-so-good news for the solar M&A market – and with both come risk. When it comes to pricing and acquisition of solar asset portfolios, having a thorough understanding of solar asset acquisition can spell the difference between meeting projected returns or realizing future losses.
Read MoreWhile performing PV module electroluminescence (EL) inspections in the field, a new type of microcrack associated with new module and cell technologies has been spotted. They are known as edge ribbon cracks, and have been seen to grow during shipping and installation. CEA’s Claire Kearns-McCoy and George Touloupas offer a closer look.
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