Blog
Welcome to our blog page, your go-to destination for insightful articles, expert analysis, and industry updates in the dynamic world of renewable energy. Dive into a content offering valuable insights, practical tips, and thought-provoking discussions on the latest trends, technologies, and developments shaping the renewable energy landscape.
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Is The Bonus ITC Worth Paying Extra For Domestic Solar Equipment? Not Always
Over the past 6 to 12 months, domestic production of solar equipment in the United States has gone into full throttle. What started with mounting systems quickly expanded to inverters, then to partial component manufacturing, and more recently to full solar module production using domestically manufactured cells. Many of the major solar manufacturers have now…
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Can We Make Front-of-the-Meter Industrial Solar Work in North Carolina? (Spoiler alert: a resounding no!)
A while ago, I was working with a colleague trying to identify feasible, incentivized pathways for investing in solar (and solar + storage) across different U.S. states. This question has become especially relevant lately, with federal Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) for solar expected to begin phasing out within the next ~6 months. During that exploration,…
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Does Commercial Solar Still Work? How to Turn $10k into $60k (No Hype, Just Math)
The article discusses the viability and profitability of commercial solar investments, emphasizing the financial benefits such as tax credits and savings on utility costs. It presents a model showing a $10,000 investment can yield a $60,000 cash impact within a year, while addressing key factors like electricity rates and financing options.
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Solar PV Simplified: A Homeowner’s Guide to Investing in Photovoltaics
Residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in the U.S. provide homeowners with a sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources, significantly reducing electricity bills and increasing property values. These systems are supported by various financial incentives including federal tax credits, rebates from electric utilities, and state-specific benefits that enhance affordability. The installation of solar systems not only…
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Cash is King: The Strategic Symphony of Working Capital in Projects
Dive into the intricate dance of ‘Cash is King: The Strategic Symphony of Working Capital in Projects.’ This blog post unravels the dynamics of working capital, emphasizing the delicate balance between Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payables. Through a compelling case scenario of a 12MWp solar project, discover the art of optimizing timelines and payment milestones…
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Team Talk: The Unseen Force Behind Project Success
Communication is the heartbeat of successful teams, pulsating life into projects. Swift responses build trust, a key element often underestimated. Acknowledge messages promptly; it’s the oxygen that sustains collaboration. Use communication tools wisely, orchestrating a symphony of efficiency. Meetings find their rhythm—neither too many nor too few, a unique cadence for each team. Beyond the…
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Beyond Guilt: Transformative Leadership in the Wake of Project Oversights
In the crucible of professional challenges, a pivotal project uncovered a critical design flaw, triggering a profound realization about leadership dynamics. While micro-responsibility rests on individual team members, the weighty macro-responsibility squarely falls on the manager’s shoulders. Authentic leadership necessitates an unwavering acceptance of accountability without resorting to blame-shifting. Amidst the guilt, the experience emerged…
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Navigating Professional Growth: Advice to My Younger Self
Embarking on your professional journey? Learn from these reflections: Consistency, not speed, fuels growth. Small companies offer immense impact; prioritize learning over immediate gains. Success blooms from steadfast work ethics; nudge yourself toward ethical choices. Maintain work-life balance, for personal happiness echoes in your professional life. No time machines exist, but these insights may guide…
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Project Budgeting: Key Elements for Better Budgets
Budgeting has consistently been a task sandwiched between my daily responsibilities. With a background in engineering, my typical workdays revolved around collaborating with teams to solve problems or tackling technical issues solo. Occasionally, a project would emerge, whether in its feasibility and review phase or during development and initiation, requiring high-level or detailed budgets for…
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Energy Islands: Navigating the Seas of Sustainability Projects (a review and opinion)
In the foreseeable future, governments and corporations may establish ocean-based power stations on artificial islands, leveraging offshore wind, solar, and tidal energy. Overcoming land limitations, strategically placed islands can harness optimal renewable resources, generating energy for onshore transmission or processes like electrolysis for green hydrogen production. This visionary concept holds promise for supplying energy to…
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IRR Explained: A Case of Solar+Storage in Chile – Part 3
Welcome to the final part, Part 3, of our series on the Solar + Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Northern Chile. This installment delves into Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and payback data, unraveling key financial insights. If you missed the earlier technical and financial modeling, check out Part 1: Technical Energy Modeling…
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IRR Explained: A Case of Solar+Storage in Chile – Part 2
Welcome to Part 2 of our 3-part series, where we delve into the financial intricacies of a Solar + Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Chile’s Atacama desert. Following our exploration of technical aspects in Part 1 using the System Advisory Model (SAM), Part 2 delves into the financial realm. We evaluate Capital Expenses…
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IRR Explained: A Case of Solar+Storage in Chile – Part 1
In this 3-part series unraveling the intricacies of Internal Rate of Return (IRR) through a real-world case study in Chile’s Atacama desert, we delve into the crucial financial metric that assesses investment profitability. Part 1 focuses on modeling DC and AC energy generation profiles for a Solar + Battery Storage project using the System Advisory…
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P50/Pxx Datasets and What They Mean in Solar Energy Modeling
Explore the essence of solar PV simulation through Pxx data series—codes like P50 and P90 unveil the confidence levels behind energy projections. A P50 dataset signals a 50% chance of meeting targets, while P90 brings conservative estimates with heightened confidence. Understanding these nuances is vital for project success. From residential to utility-scale, uncover the intricacies…
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If you are getting high or if you are hot, you have to reconsider your choices!
In this blog post, we delve into critical considerations for solar PV system sizing, emphasizing the often overlooked impact of site elevation and ambient temperature. Reflecting on a recent oversight in my own project, I stress the importance of sizing DC equipment based on low temperatures and AC equipment on high temperatures. Cold conditions can…
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The Language of Power
Navigating the solar realm often involves untangling the jumbled use of power, energy, voltage, and current. Picture Solar Muggles fumbling through these terms—yes, we experts have a secret group for it. Let’s demystify: Power is the rate of electricity flow in a potential field (voltage), akin to the force in a video game. Current is…
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Solar Car Canopies: Let there be Light, and Shade!
Discover the synergy of solar photovoltaic (PV) car canopies in building-integrated PV (BIPV) systems. These structures not only generate green power but also enhance existing facilities by merging renewable energy with practical functionalities, like shading. Picture solar panels adorning building facades or crowning rooftops, adding both aesthetics and efficiency. PV car canopies, a sleek solution,…
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