Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to site search
  • Home
  • All articles of topic California

All articles of topic California

April 2023: Arnold Schwarzenegger inaugurates a large solar roof at the Alta Sea research centre in Los Angeles.

Weekly Topic: Austria: Arnie at 70 - Hero’s journey from rural Austria to global stardom

-

Our Editor in Chief recently went to see the birthplace of Arnold Schwarzenegger in the east of Austria. Based on a post for his blog, we present here a two-part series. We start out with the man himself as well as his humble beginnings and sheer determination. Next time we will then focus on his political career and activism for solar energy.

Arnold Schwarzenegger at 77

A champion of solar energy and environmental advocacy

-

In Part 2 of our series on the occasion of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 77th birthday, we move on to his career outside of Hollywood: Based on his success as an actor, Arnie went on to become Governor of California. Here is how he used this position to advance solar power:

The solar cells integrated into the vehicle as well as its high degree of efficiency can allow for up to 64 kilometres per day of free driving.
Solar-electric mobility

Aptera presents Launch Edition of ultra-efficient SEV

-

Aptera Motors just announced the Launch Edition of its two-seat solar-electric vehicle (SEV), the Aptera. Equipped with solar cells to charge the its batteries, the vehicle is also designed to be as efficient as possible both in terms of aerodynamics and the drivetrain. 

Parabolic trough power plants like the one here in Spain are an established technology for converting sunlight into electricity.
Concentrated solar power:

Solar cogeneration back on the agenda

-

For a decade, concentrated solar power has lain dormant. Now it could replace the burning of coal and oil - for municipal and regional utilities. Because solar heat and green hydrogen offer new opportunities.

Eureka Grove residents will be able to power their home with solar, have backup with battery storage, and charge their vehicle without adding pressure on the grid.
Sustainable housing:

SunPower partners up to create a sustainable housing community in California

-

Features in new 72-home community enable residents to weather power outages, save on electricity bills and make electric lifestyle more convenient.

Five projects in California and Texas are under construction and will soon be powering the cumulative equivalent of 357,000 homes.
Tracking systems:

Nextracker’s trackers and software to be deployed by Signal Energy in the US

-

Two large solar projects in Texas and California to be supplied with trackers and yield optimization software from Nextracker.

First Solar more than double its US manufacturing capacity with a new facility in Ohio (here an existing facility).
Manufacturing:

First Solar expands US solar manufacturing capacity by 3.3 GW

-

First Solar invests $680 million in a new manufacturing facility in Ohio for enhanced thin film PV modules.

The Rancho Seco II solar PV plant, that was supplied by Ingeteam, is located on the premises of the decommissioned Rancho Seco nuclear power plant.
USA:

Ingeteam supplies a 160 MW solar PV plant in Sacramento County

-

Ingeteam has supplied and commissioned 53 of its solar PV power stations for the 160 MW Rancho Seco II solar plant. in California.

The Gateway Energy Storage project will allow more green electricity to be saved for when the demand for it is at a peak.

LS Power energizes largest battery storage project in the world (so far)

-

LS Power recently unveiled the Gateway Energy Storage battery system near San Diego, California. To date, this is the largest battery-based energy storage project in the world.

California is one of the US states that are ambitiously promoting renewable energies.

New storage systems for the California power grid

-

sonnen and Wasatch are equipping 3,000 apartments with sonnenBatteries and networking them to create virtual power plants.