Hanwha, using 1366 Technologies’ multicrystalline silicon solar wafer technology, was able to push the efficiency of its Q Cells to 19.9 percent. The efficiency results were verified by Fraunhofer ISE CalLab and demonstrate that 1366 is following through with its commitment to produce multicrystalline silicon wafers that can deliver high-efficiency photovoltaics at lower costs. 

Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) held initial meetings with business leaders and solar industry experts to kick-start the state’s Finding Pennsylvania’s Solar Future project. The statewide project aims to identify the most strategic and cost-effective options for the commonwealth to expand its solar capacity to 10 percent of its energy demands by 2030. 

Fully 135 organizations have issued a statement to Senators urging them to rebuke President Donald Trump’s (R) nominees to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The statement letter represents the interests of over 1 million people and urges members of the US Senate to put the health and clean water of millions of people ahead of the fossil-fuel industry’s profits. 

As part of its Energy Transition Plan toward a 100 percent clean energy campus, Michigan State University (MSU) announced the construction of 10 megawatts of solar power, covering carports at 5 parking lots across its East Lansing campus. The carports are projected to produce 15,000 megawatt-hours per year or 5 percent of the annual energy used on campus. The project is expected to save the university an estimated $10 million in energy costs over the next 25 years.

Little Rhode Island is going big with a plan to increase development of renewables throughout the state. This week Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) announced a plan to increase solar and wind development from the 100 megawatts currently in operation to 1,000 megawatts in operation—over the next four years. The new plan builds on the commitments to double the amount of green energy jobs in the state that Raimondo made during her State of the State address.

The Church Pension Fund (CPF) is a joint financial service organization created by the Episcopal Church, Westpath Benefits and Investments of the United Methodist Church. The organization announced their latest investment fund totaling $60.8 million and called the Off-Grid, Renewable and Climate Action (ORCA) Impact Note. The investment will provide funding to participating banks and operating companies to develop renewable energy projects in nine developing countries across Asia, South America and Africa.

Amazon announced a new, company-wide initiative to deploy rooftop solar arrays on 50 of its facilities around the world by 2020.The company is kicking off the new initiative by  developing 41 megawatts of rooftop solar on 15 of its US fulfillment facilities this year. The company expects that each installation will generate up to 80 percent of each facility’s annual energy demands.

San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee and Supervisor Katy Tang proposed legislation to require all new buildings in the city to include infrastructure for EV charging stations. San Francisco is the first major city to propose a EV charging station ordinance in the US and expects to extend the range and efficiency of EVs traveling in the region.

Solar advocates and clean energy industry representatives are speaking-out against House Bill 479 in Georgia. If passed, the bill would prohibit the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) from making changes and recommendations to Georgia Power’s long-term integrated resource plan (IRP) and hinder the commission’s ability to regulate the utility’s plans to invest in future renewable energy development.

Renewable energy retailer Green Mountain Energy has introduced a three-step rooftop solar plan in its Texas markets. Through the new plan, homeowners can get a rooftop solar array through a Green Mountain Power-approved installer, and enroll in the energy company’s Renewables Rewards rebate program, which provides an average rebate of $3,016, as well as in its SolarSPARC rewards programs.