Astronauts from both the U.S. space agency, NASA, and the European Space Agency ((ESA)) left the International Space Station ((ISS)) Wednesday to begin a project to upgrade the floating laboratory’s solar panel power supply system.
NASA flight engineer Shane Kimbrough and ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet worked for several hours to install the first two of six ISS Roll-Out Solar Arrays (iROSAs)) to ultimately upgrade six of the station’s eight power channels.
NASA says the current solar arrays are functioning well but were designed for a 15-year service life and are in their 21st year of service. The new solar arrays will be positioned in front of six of the current arrays, increasing the station’s total available power from 160 kilowatts to a maximum of 215 kilowatts.
The electrical boost will be needed to accommodate paying passengers and film crews expected to visit the ISS later this year.
Pesquet and Kimbrough will install two more of the new solar arrays Sunday.
Solar Power
North America Solar Panel Recycling Market: Growth of 18.3%
Dublin, June 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The “North America Solar Panel Recycling Market 2020-2027 by Process (Mechanical, Thermal, Laser, Chemical), Panel Type (Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline, Thin Film), Shelf Life (Early Loss, Normal Loss), and Country: Trend Outlook and Growth Opportunity” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.
North America solar panel recycling market is expected to grow by 18.3% annually in the forecast period and reach $101.3 million by 2027 driven by the growing demand for clean energy, increasing growing adoption of solar power, and rising support of the government toward sustainable development.
Highlighted with 21 tables and 33 figures, this 82-page report “North America Solar Panel Recycling Market 2020-2027 by Process (Mechanical, Thermal, Laser, Chemical), Panel Type (Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline, Thin Film), Shelf Life (Early Loss, Normal Loss), and Country: Trend Outlook and Growth Opportunity” is based on a comprehensive research of the entire North America solar panel recycling market and all its sub-segments through extensively detailed classifications. Profound analysis and assessment are generated from premium primary and secondary information sources with inputs derived from industry professionals across the value chain. The report is based on studies on 2017-2019 and provides estimate/forecast from 2020 till 2027 with 2019 as the base year.
In-depth qualitative analyses include identification and investigation of the following aspects:
- Market Structure
- Growth Drivers
- Restraints and Challenges
- Emerging Product Trends & Market Opportunities
- Porter’s Fiver Forces
The trend and outlook of North America market is forecast in optimistic, balanced, and conservative view by taking into account of COVID-19. The balanced (most likely) projection is used to quantify North America solar panel recycling market in every aspect of the classification from perspectives of Process, Panel Type, Shelf Life, and Country.
Based on Process, the North America market is segmented into the following sub-markets with annual revenue for 2017-2027 included in each section.
- Mechanical Recycling
- Thermal Recycling
- Laser Recycling
- Chemical Recycling
- Other Processes
Based on Panel Type, the North America market is segmented into the following sub-markets with annual revenue for 2017-2027 included in each section.
- Monocrystalline Solar Panels
- Polycrystalline Solar Panels
- Thin Film Solar Panels
Based on Shelf Life, the North America market is segmented into the following sub-markets with annual revenue for 2017-2027 included in each section.
Geographically, the following national/local markets are fully investigated:
For each key country, detailed analysis and data for annual revenue are available for 2017-2027. The breakdown of key national markets by Process, Panel Type, and Shelf Life over the forecast years are also included.
The report also covers current competitive scenario and the predicted trend; and profiles key vendors including market leaders and important emerging players.
Key Topics Covered:
1 Introduction
1.1 Industry Definition and Research Scope
1.1.1 Industry Definition
1.1.2 Research Scope
1.2 Research Methodology
1.2.1 Overview of Market Research Methodology
1.2.2 Market Assumption
1.2.3 Secondary Data
1.2.4 Primary Data
1.2.5 Data Filtration and Model Design
1.2.6 Market Size/Share Estimation
1.2.7 Research Limitations
1.3 Executive Summary
2 Market Overview and Dynamics
2.1 Market Size and Forecast
2.1.1 Impact of COVID-19 on World Economy
2.1.2 Impact of COVID-19 on the Market
2.2 Major Growth Drivers
2.3 Market Restraints and Challenges
2.4 Emerging Opportunities and Market Trends
2.5 Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
3 Segmentation of North America Market by Process
3.1 Market Overview by Process
3.2 Mechanical Recycling
3.3 Thermal Recycling
3.4 Laser Recycling
3.5 Chemical Recycling
3.6 Other Processes
4 Segmentation of North America Market by Panel Type
4.1 Market Overview by Panel Type
4.2 Monocrystalline Solar Panels
4.3 Polycrystalline Solar Panels
4.4 Thin Film Solar Panels
5 Segmentation of North America Market by Shelf Life
5.1 Market Overview by Shelf Life
5.2 Early Loss
5.3 Normal Loss
6 North America Market 2020-2027 by Country
6.1 Overview of North America Market
6.2 U.S.
6.3 Canada
6.4 Mexico
7 Competitive Landscape
Companies Mentioned
- Canadian Solar Inc.
- EIKI SHOJI Co. Ltd.
- First Solar Inc.
- Interco Trading Inc.
- PV Cycle a.i.s.b.l.
- Reclaim PV Recycling Pty Ltd.
- Reiling GmbH & Co. KG
- REMA PV System AS
- Rinovasol GMBH
- Sharp Corporation
- Silcontel Ltd.
- SunPower Corporation
- Trina Solar Co., Ltd.
- Yingli Energy Co. Ltd.
For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lt0pnd
Solar power not all green | Cambridge News / Deerfield Independent
Do you want Cambridge to be the location of the largest solar panel landfill dump in Wisconsin? It could happen unless the residents of Cambridge voice their concerns.
As proposed, the Koshkonong Solar Energy Center will be the largest solar project in Wisconsin encompassing 6,384 acres in the Towns of Christiana and Deerfield. This project is now under consideration by the Public Service Commission with comments due by July 3. All Cambridge residents should contact the PSC to oppose this project.
Invenergy, the Chicago based firm overseeing this project indicated in their PSC application that solar panels are more of a commodity, with new product variants such as higher efficiency or higher wattage options being introduced to the market at a rapid pace. By making this statement in their proposed plan will the solar panels used in this project become obsolete rapidly and thereby need to be removed or replaced? Solar panels at their end-of-life period are a hazardous electronic waste.
Electronic waste is a growing problem worldwide. According to Recycle PV Solar, one of the only U.S. companies dedicated to solar panel recycling around 10 percent of solar panels are recycled and the rest go in landfills or are exported overseas to developing countries with weak environmental protections. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, has stated that it currently costs $20 to $30 to recycle a panel vs. $1 to $2 to send it to a landfill. Also, the transportation costs to remove the solar panels is equal to the cost of recycling. Meaning it makes financial sense to dispose of these panels as close as possible to the fields they currently are in. Locating a solar panel landfill dump in the Cambridge area would be the most economically feasible option.
As proposed, Koshkonong Solar will install over 1 million solar panels. No specific details have been shared as to how these solar panels will be disposed of when they become obsolete. The solar industry cannot claim to be a clean energy source if it leaves a mountain of hazardous waste. A landfill is not green. Solar panels contain many hazardous chemicals that can leach into the environment when panels are disposed of in landfills.
We owe it to our children, grandchildren and the future residents of Cambridge to have answers before the first solar panel is installed.
– Daryll J. Lund, Sun Prairie
Solar Capacity Doubles Indiana, More Big Projects Proposed
Big solar projects in Indiana this year have already doubled the state’s solar capacity. A new report from the Solar Energy Industries Association said the state now has enough solar to power more than 111,000 homes.
Indiana is also expected to see the third highest increase in megawatts of large-scale solar in the country — with nearly four gigawatts, or 4,000 megawatts, proposed. But that all depends on if those planned projects get finished.
Joseph Rand is the senior scientific engineering associate at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which conducts energy research for the federal government. The lab recently issued a report looking into proposed energy projects around the country.
Rand said that proposed growth in Indiana is likely due to some utilities’ renewable energy goals.
“Because these major utilities are committed to procuring clean or renewable electricity by a certain year, we’re seeing a lot of developers propose new projects to meet those targets,” he said.
Rand said solar could also be experiencing more growth in Indiana because restrictive county ordinances have stifled wind energy in the state.
But just because there are several large projects planned for Indiana, that doesn’t mean they’ll get built. A report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory said historically only about 16 percent of solar energy projects get completed.
One of those large solar projects in the queue is the Mammoth Project in Pulaski County. It’s expected to generate up to a gigawatt of energy and could create about $2 million in tax revenue for a county that hasn’t had many property tax increases in the past decade.
There’s also been opposition from some residents who, among other things, said the project will take up thousands of acres of good farmland.
Nathan Origer is the executive director of the Pulaski County Community Development Commission. He said the project has the opportunity to put the county on solid financial ground.
“Are we going to survive if we don’t see this revenue, if we don’t get the capital investment? Yes. Is it in the community’s best interest if we don’t? Absolutely not,” he said.
Though residents with Pulaski County Against Solar have filed a legal challenge against the county, Origer said he remains confident the project will move forward.
Rand said there’s an incredible economic opportunity for Indiana to become a leader in renewable energy.
“Policymakers, planners in the state, and even just local residents, farmers, citizens need to start thinking proactively about how to both enable the development of a sustainable solar industry in the state of Indiana, but also make sure that that is done appropriately and with minimal environmental and social impacts,” he said.
One example would be locating large solar farms on brownfield sites — like where former coal mines and coal plants once stood.
Contact reporter Rebecca at rthiele@iu.edu or follow her on Twitter at @beckythiele.
Indiana Environmental reporting is supported by the Environmental Resilience Institute, an Indiana University Grand Challenge project developing Indiana-specific projections and informed responses to problems of environmental change.
The Recorder – Solar panels
Published: 6/15/2021 6:56:42 AM
Like many homeowners, I have been deluged by offers from solar companies. They offer, in one way or another, to put solar panels on your rooftop with little or no front-end cost but plenty of deferred costs, which they gloss over. At the same time, entrepreneurs are trying to persuade towns to let them put up solar fields. There’s something not quite right about this situation, but it can be corrected.
Let’s recognize all the costs of solar installations, including the cost of disposing solar panels when they are no longer functional and the costs of roof repairs or enhancements. I believe that when everything is added up, community-financed solar power is a good bargain.The town offers to install and maintain solar panels on your roof at no cost to you — including both front-end and back-end costs — if you will send a major part of the power back to the town. Rooftop panels on malls and big-box stores can be particularly productive.
The fundamental idea here is that there’s lots of rooftop surface available, and solar providers need lots of surface area. While solar fields often remove good agricultural land from production, rooftop panels don’t degrade the environment. Really free rooftop solar can be a win-win. It’s similar to the way that towns offer homeowners free upgrades to their sewer connections in order to improve the quality of the effluent that comes into the town’s sewage treatment plants.
Paul Abrahams
Deerfield
Australian financiers invest $141 million in concentrated solar power (CSP) plants in Spain – pv magazine Australia
Gemasolar, the first solar plant in the world operating 24 hours a day.
Macquarie
The portfolio is made up of three 120 MW concentrated solar power plants that Q-Energy Asset Management refinanced in May. Not to be confused with Australia’s electricity retailer, Q-Energy Asset Management was created by Spanish developer Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) as its financial, legal and technical asset management arm.
Specifically, the 120 MW concentrated solar plant portfolio is made up of a 20 MW Gemasolar tower plant, the first solar plant in the world which can operate 24 hours a day, and two 50 MW parabolic trough solar parks.
Located in Andalusia, the southmost region in Spain, the portfolio has been in operation since 2011, with Macquarie describing its owner, Q-Energy, as having an established track record operating solar farms, CSP plants and wind parks across Western Europe.
Macquarie Asset Management added its investment was made “on behalf of its institutional clients via a bespoke, long-dated, subordinated debt financing.”
The project marks the fourth financing contract between Macquarie and Spain’s Q-Energy. Since 2012, Macquarie Asset Management has invested approximately €2.6 billion (AU$4 billion) across more than 35 renewable energy projects, with a total installed capacity of approximately 13.7 GW.
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Solar power industry urges Gov. Ned Lamont to veto bill that would require higher wages for clean energy projects
In other industries, employers are boosting wages, offering signing bonuses, fast-tracking jobs to management positions and devising other strategies to fill jobs that are going begging for workers. However, Trahan said if solar installation costs rise due to the legislation, fewer jobs will be created.
At these low-income apartment buildings, solar power helps pay for fre
In the Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights, nearly 40% of low-income households don’t have internet access. It’s a challenge across many parts of New York City that became especially apparent during the pandemic, when many children were loaned laptops for distance learning but couldn’t log on to use them. But some affordable apartment buildings in the area will soon begin offering free WiFi–funded through solar power on the roof.
“We wanted to do a big solar install, and at the same time, others were talking about WiFi,” says John Crotty, principal at the Workforce Housing Group, the affordable housing development organization that is launching the new program in Crown Heights and in the nearby neighborhoods of Bedford Stuyvesant and East New York. “I thought, why don’t we put the savings into WiFI?”
The solar panels are being funded in part by a loan from NY Green Bank, a state-sponsored investment fund focused on adding clean energy. (Other state green banks provide similar loans to help spur solar installation.) The New York State Housing Finance Agency is also providing funds. In total, the affordable housing organization will install solar panels on 18 of the buildings it manages. The savings in the electric bills from common areas is expected to be enough to cover the cost of the loan payments, and there will be enough extra to cover adding free high-speed broadband access in 22 buildings.
For low-income tenants who have internet now, the new offering will eliminate a monthly bill—something that can be critical for people who may be struggling to afford other necessities, like food. Crotty hopes that the program inspires other affordable housing organizations to copy the idea. “There’s no point in doing this in a vacuum,” he says. “Everyone should go do this. They should know about it.”
Trichy’s solar power generation waiting for Tangedco approval | Trichy News
Trichy: Trichy’s first solar power park at Panjappur, the work on which was completed about six months ago, is yet to start electricity generation pending approval from the Tangedco. The smart cities mission project, which will reduce the operational and maintenance cost of Trichy Corporation by selling electricity to Tangedco, is idle at present and seems to be delaying the expansion plans.
The plant was set up by the corporation under the non-conventional electricity generation proposal on the Trichy-Madurai NH near the sewage treatment plant at Panjappur spending Rs 13.50 crore. The work, started in December 2019, was completed in December 2020. The 2.4-MW power plant, having around 7,200 solar panels affixed on 1,440 foundations installed at a depth of 2 metres, will supply electricity to the Crawford substation of Tangedco. Even the subsurface transmission lines between the solar power park and the substation for a length of over 2 km was installed.
While the facility was to start generating electricity by January 2021, sources confirmed that the park is idle, while the corporation is spending money for maintenance. For the purpose of cleaning the dirt accumulated in the panels, the civic body has dug four borewells on the site.
The electricity generated from the 13-acre solar plant will be fed to the power grid. In return, the corporation will get equal compensation, while paying its electricity charge. The civic body sources said that they are awaiting approval from the non-conventional energy sources wing of Tangedco to start electricity generation. “Due to the pandemic, there was a slight delay in obtaining the approval. We are at it to start electricity generation,” an official with Trichy Corporation said. Meanwhile, the delay in commissioning the solar power park also derails the progress of phase II of the solar power park proposed on the adjacent land. Around 26 acres of land was identified on the Madurai NH for the 7.2-MW expansion plant. Officials attributed the delay to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Lorde set for Official Singles Chart’s highest new entry with Solar Power
Lorde is on course to claim the highest new entry on this Friday’s Official Singles Chart with Solar Power.
The first single in four years from the 24-year-old singer-songwriter is at Number 7 on today’s Official Chart: First Look, racking up over half a million streams since its release on Friday.
If its momentum continues, Solar Power will mark the New Zealander’s second UK Top 10 single, and first since her debut single Royals stormed to Number 1 back in 2013.
MORE: The Official Top 40 biggest songs of 2021 so far
The Official Chart: First Look airs Sundays on BBC Radio 1 between 6pm – 7pm, offering a first glance of the Top 20 ahead of Friday’s Official Singles Chart Top 100. The chart is based on preliminary sales and early streaming reports.
Olivia Rodrigo is in pole position on this week’s First Look, eyeing a fourth week at Number 1 with Good 4 U. After making chart history last Friday with three concurrent Top 5 singles, Olivia is in line for three Top 10 songs this week, with Good 4 U joined by Deja Vu at Number 4, and Traitor at Number 10.
TikTok star Mimi Webb is destined for success this week, with two songs in the First Look Top 20. Breakthrough single Good Without is on track for a new peak at 6 while just outside the Top 10 is new single Dumb Love at 11.
MORE: The UK’s most popular albums of 2021 so far
Artists whose tracks could score new peak positions this week are Galantis, David Guetta & Little Mix with Heartbreak Anthem (5), Eurovision winners Måneskin’s I Wanna Be Your Slave (9), Tom Zanetti with Didn’t Know (15) and Anne-Marie & Niall Horan’s Our Song (18).
This week’s Official Chart: First Look Top 20 (June 13, 2021)
| LW | CURRENT | TITLE | ARTIST |
| 1 | 1 | GOOD 4 U | OLIVIA RODRIGO |
| 2 | 2 | SAVE YOUR TEARS | THE WEEKND |
| 3 | 3 | KISS ME MORE | DOJA CAT FT. SZA |
| 4 | 4 | DEJA VU | OLIVIA RODRIGO |
| 6 | 5 | HEARTBREAK ANTHEM | GALANTIS, DAVID GUETTA & LITTLE MIX |
| 9 | 6 | GOOD WITHOUT | MIMI WEBB |
| NEW | 7 | SOLAR POWER | LORDE |
| 7 | 8 | OLIVER TWIST | ARRDEE |
| 12 | 9 | I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE | MANESKIN |
| 5 | 10 | TRAITOR | OLIVIA RODRIGO |
| NEW | 11 | DUMB LOVE | MIMI WEBB |
| 10 | 12 | CONFETTI | LITTLE MIX |
| 8 | 13 | BODY | TION WAYNE & RUSS MILLIONS |
| 16 | 14 | ASTRONAUT IN THE OCEAN | MASKED WOLF |
| 18 | 15 | DIDN’T KNOW | TOM ZANETTI |
| 11 | 16 | RASPUTIN | MAJESTIC & BONEY M |
| 15 | 17 | BY YOUR SIDE | CALVIN HARRIS & TOM GRENNAN |
| 22 | 18 | OUR SONG | ANNE-MARIE & NIALL HORAN |
| 23 | 19 | HIGHER POWER | COLDPLAY |
| 19 | 20 | MONTERO (CALL BE BY YOUR NAME) | LIL NAS X |
©2021 Official Charts Company. All rights reserved.