Author: cindy k

The groups behind the Florida Solar Energy Apprenticeship, the nation’s first solar apprenticeship registered with the US Dept. of Labor, will host a job fair on December 8, 2022, to celebrate the program. Credit: Florida Power & Light Company The apprenticeship was created by the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA) and the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). Approved by the Florida Department of Education, the Solar Energy Apprenticeship aims to ensure that Florida continues to produce well-trained, highly qualified solar energy technicians. “We’ve been working on the Solar Energy Apprenticeship for the past year, and through the hard work…

Joshua Rape Strata Clean Energy, a nationwide provider of utility-scale clean energy projects, has acquired Crossover Energy Partners, a clean energy solutions company experienced in developing end-to-end energy transition products. energy for utilities and large energy users. This acquisition expands Strata’s execution offerings and capabilities by including Crossover’s customer origination and power offtake capabilities and other capabilities that deliver renewable energy initiatives, decarbonization strategies, and development of new technologies such as green hydrogen. “Strata’s acquisition of Crossover strengthens our ability to bring high-value energy solutions to our clients across multiple market segments and geographies,” said Joshua Rogol, chief executive officer.…

Greg Felton Altus Power Inc. closed the acquisition of approximately 88 MW of operating solar assets. These properties were purchased from DE Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), under definitive agreements previously announced on September 27, 2022. “We are delighted to be joining the talented team at DESRI to execute this transaction,” said Gregg Felton, Co-CEO of Altus Power. “With the closing now complete, we are excited to incorporate these new long-term properties and customer relationships into our portfolio.” “We are impressed with the ability of the Altus Power team to transact with efficiency, despite the complexity…

StrataTech Education Group, an organization that trains people in the trades of the craft, has launched a new solar technician course for hourly Amazon employees as part of Amazon’s Career Choice program. The 10-week solar technician course is offered by The Refrigeration School (RSI) and teaches photovoltaic science and an introduction to the basics of solar energy, with pre-paid tuition provided by Amazon. In March 2022, StrataTech was selected as an education partner for Amazon’s Career Choice program, offering Amazon hourly employees access to MIG welding courses and HVAC and electrical basics at RSI and Tulsa Welding School. The solar…

FTC Solar, a solar tracker manufacturer, has developed a clamping solution made for First Solar Series 6 and Series 6 Plus modules. Credit: FTC Solar To support First Solar’s thin-film module technology, FTC has created a new product variant of its Voyager mounting solution. The variant uses FTC’s patented Slide and Glide methodology and First Solar’s SpeedSlot mounting feature. The installation uses a mechanical fastener to secure and ground the First Solar module frame to the Voyager system’s module rail, intended to reduce installation times. “We combined First Solar’s SpeedSlot solution with FTC’s patented Slide and Glide rapid module installation…

Pineapple Energy, a solar + storage contractor, has acquired SUNation Energy, a New York-based solar installer for residential and small commercial customers. The transaction closed on November 9, 2022. SUNation has been serving Long Island for 19 years, offering a variety of solar energy solutions including residential, commercial, battery storage, and rooftop, and currently servicing 12,000 PV systems. In the course of nearly 8,000 projects since its inception, SUNation has installed more than 275,000 solar panels representing 92 MW of carbon-free solar power. Founder Scott Maskin will continue to lead SUNation in New York. At least contribute to current and…

Intersolar North America (ISNA) and Energy Storage North America (ESNA) announced the team lineup for the third annual Solar Games competition to be held at #isnaesna23 on February 14-16, 2023, at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California. The industry’s first and only installer competition, the Solar Games engages teams to build residential solar + storage systems in a stadium setting during a three-day bracket-style tournament. The winning team from each round advances to the final-round winner is named the Solar Games Champion — and awarded a cash prize of $10,000. The second and third place teams will…

Bowman Consulting Group recently announced the purchase of SEI Engineering. Headquartered in Paonia, Colorado, and operating as SEI Professional Services, the company provides a full range of technical services to developers and owners of utility and commercial scale solar energy facilities. The SEIE team is made up of solar and battery storage system designers, engineers and technicians. “Our renewable energy business is growing at a rapid pace and the acquisition of SEIE will serve to accelerate that growth,” said Gary Bowman, CEO of Bowman. “Planning, engineering and commissioning related to the energy transition is a key focus of our growth…

The Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has approved the nation’s first pilot program to determine if closed coal ash storage areas are suitable for utility-scale solar projects. Pending environmental review and regulatory approval, the $216 million pilot project will explore a new approach to reuse a closed coal ash site at the Shawnee Fossil Plant to improve TVA’s clean energy efforts. “The space between implementation and aspiration is where innovation lives,” said Jeff Lyash, president and CEO of TVA. “Achieving a net-zero clean energy future is critical to our nation’s energy security goals and requires new…

Almost a year after the first proposed NEM 3.0 decision sent the state’s solar industry into turmoil, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has released a new version. Today’s proposal includes a transition to net billing, a glide path to slowly transition to the new plan and non-bypassable charges. NOT 3.0 history The CPUC’s initial proposed decision in 2021 includes a shift from net metering to net billing, which allows the dollar value of credits to be set at a different level than the price of energy imports; a Grid Participation Charge for solar customers and a long-term Market Transition…