There
have been several big changes in the solar power industry over the past week.
Let Renogy keep you updated with our top 3 news stories this week!
1. Apple is getting a hand in more than just the tech field this week.
Although they are primarily known for their ability to constantly bring new and
innovative phones, computers, tablets, and accessories to the market, Apple now
will be able to bring renewable energy to the public. Apple has officially won
permission to sell their excess electricity generated by three solar projects
Apple’s vice
president, Lisa Jackson, stated that in 23 countries Apple facilities are
running completely on renewable energy. Typically, non-energy companies such as
Apple would only be allowed to sell to utility companies at wholesale rates; however, Apple was able to successfully argue that if they sold to the public
they’re sales would be too insignificant to impact market rates. No word yet on
when you can officially start powering your home by Apple electricity!
2. The island of Oahu had its first “self-supply” rooftop solar system
activated this week. Self-supply systems are a little bit different from the
typical “on-grid” or “off-grid” systems, in that they move power to batteries
but can still draw from the grid if necessary.
Self-supply
homes also do not send their excess power back to the grid or receive
electricity credit for excess power.
Hawaiian Electric
Co. (HECO) explains that the self-supply system is the solution to home solar
systems sending too much power back to the grid. HECO is working with some
major solar players to develop these new systems, including SolarCity, Sunrun,
and Vivint Solar. With more than 77,000 customers using solar on the island of
Hawai’i, HECO recommends that households purchase systems that are exactly the right
size for their usage rather than oversized systems designed to sell electricity
back to the grid.
3. On the other side of the world, Africa continues to engage in its battle
to get its solar projects up and running. In a country that has a large power
deficit and uses burning oil as its main supply, these huge solar farms could
be essential to their way of life. In Senegal, initial plans for construction
began three years ago, yet today there are still no signs of the project
beginning anytime soon. Even worse, in Ghana, projects that started over six
years ago still haven’t found enough financing!
Bureaucratic hurdles and investor fear has
been a main halt in production. Solar panels have become increasingly more
affordable with prices falling over 80% in the past seven years. When over 40%
of the population has no access to electricity, solar can be a huge asset and
affordable alternative to fossil fuels.
