We all know the benefits of installing solar power systems in one’s home but officials in some towns of the United States are concerned that solar panels could offend the neighbors. Hackensack is the latest New Jersey municipality to consider restricting the panels in front yards.
General Electric is trying to convince its wind turbine customers to purchase solar panels as well. This is according to Vic Abate, who is the head of the company’s renewables unit.
In response to the US investigation of the supposed dumping by Chinese solar panel manufacturers, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced that it would also start an investigation on US subsidies and policies regarding the renewable energy industry.
The solar power industry in the United States will still continue to get support from the government even after the debacle with Solyndra. Favorable government measures would still make solar power cost-competitive with other energy sources.
The United States Commerce Department said that it would start a probe on whether Chinese companies sell their solar panels in the country at unfair discounts as well as receive government subsidies illegally.
According to Jifan Gao, CEO of Trina Solar, majority of solar equipment manufacturers may disappear in the next couple of years because of the decreasing prices that erode profit margins. This could drive the weaker companies out of the solar industry.
SolarWorld installed solar power modules at Pittsburgh’s Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden Center for Sustainable Landscapes, which is located in Schenley Park. The installation can generate up to 125 kW from 250W Sunmodule solar panels that were placed on the roof and on the ground.
Solar equipment manufacturers based in the United States want the government to impose taxes on more than $1 billion Chinese imports. They joined the clamor from the wind power industry to seek compensation for the unfair state aid given to foreign companies.
The solar power industry in Texas is still small, which accounts to just 1 percent of the total electric power produced in the state. Renewable energy advocates say that the state could be the top generator of solar power in the United States within the near future.
Republican Representative Darrell Issa, chairman of House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said that the government made a bad decision in giving loans to solar panel manufacturers and predicted that the solar panel industry could collapse in the near future.