JinkoSolar confirms plans to invest $410 million in the US
The Chinese manufacturer confirms that it has authorized its U.S. subsidiary to finalize plans for the investment.
Trump levies graduated tariffs starting at 30%, exempts 2.5 GW in cells
The decision, released on U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer’s website, could keep current U.S. module manufacturers in business by keeping their cell lifelines open.
Tesla begins production of Solar Roof tiles at New York gigafactory
The company also says that it has begun installation of the Solar Roof on the homes of non-employee homeowners.
Trump team argues strongly for tariffs
Reports say an unreleased memo circulating within the White House lays out arguments for the strongest of trade sanctions against Chinese solar module makers in what is likely a bad sign for U.S. solar markets.
US Senate approves tax bill with provision to hobble solar, wind tax credits
The bill will now be reconciled with the House version, which does not contain the BEAT provision. The Solar Energy Industry Association says that it has four Senators who support “fixes”, but was not able to get a modification to the Senate bill.
Californian project recognised for demonstrating solar’s supply of grid services
California’s grid operator (ISO) says that a joint National Renewable Energy Lab, First Solar and the California Independent System Operator project shows that renewable energy plants with smart inverter technology can provide grid services similar to, or in some cases better than conventional generation.
Lazard shows ongoing cost declines in solar
The consultancy’s 2017 study finds that the global cost of utility-scale solar has reached an unsubsidized LCOE of under US$50 per megawatt-hour, making new solar cost-competitive with running existing coal or nuclear plants.
The clock ticks: ITC turns Section 201 over to President Trump
With the receipt of the final report by the ITC, the Trump Administration now has 60 days to take action on the Section 201 case. The probability of restrictive tariffs is high, a move that will likely have impacts on the global solar industry.
Solar Saves Lives: The U.S. solar industry launches major hurricane relief effort
The Solar Foundation and 20 solar companies and organizations have joined forces with the Clinton Foundation, Operation Blessing and others to help bring power and clean water to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
NREL hits new efficiency record for quantum dot cell
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have created a solar cell using colloidal quantum dots, which achieved 13.4% conversion efficiency – a new world record for this emerging technology.
