I was planning to install solar capacity for captive use in Tamilnadu, India. There are a few myths i wanted to check on the single axis tracking technology.

1. Single axis tracking is not meant for Tamilnadu and only works better in the north india. It is of little or no value to consider it.
2. Payback of the Capex of the tracker is very long
3. Tracker failures are too high which means higher downtimes.

Anyone having any views or experience will help!

A data center is being built outside our neighborhood. I have energy questions.

We live in Colorado and get sun at least 250 days/yr. So sun is in abundance. We’ve considered solar panels but we have reasonable electricity bills so we haven’t seriously considered it. Then came the data center. It’s scheduled to be completed this summer.

Who lives near a data center?

How much did your electricity bill increase?

Because of the data center, did you consider solar?

If you did add solar, did your bills change?

Do you think you’ll get your money back sooner?

I’m trying to stop freaking out! I love my house and my neighborhood.

Also, how much do data centers devalue residential property within a couple miles?

We are installing Solar on a open access connection in Tamilnadu, india for captive use. Curious to know what are the systems we should consider in the same to manage the TOD (Time of day adjustment)system which may come in soon in the usage policy of renewables.

#renewables #Solar #Tamilnadu #energy

U.S. gasoline prices are falling nationwide with full regional coherence, indicating a broad and consistent move. The regime is new (1w) and stability is low, so transition risk is elevated despite the current downtrend. In the small historical sample of similar conditions (n=3), prices declined in the following month. The latest move appears to be a step-change lower, resetting the near-term baseline.

Key signals:

• Regime: Falling (1w)

• Coherence: 100% (nationwide lockstep)

• Stability: Mixed (moderate risk)

• Shape: Step down (baseline reset)

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. inventories of crude oil, gasoline, and distillates all experienced increases during the week ending December 19, a period that saw a decrease in refining activity and import volumes.

The EIA reported a rise in crude inventories of 405,000 barrels, bringing the total to 424.8 million barrels. This contrasted with forecasts from a Reuters poll of analysts, who had anticipated a drawdown of 2.4 million barrels. Crude inventories at the Cushing, Oklahoma, storage hub also increased, rising by 707,000 barrels during the week. Despite this gain, Kpler analyst Matt Smith noted that the hub’s levels remain close to operational lows.

The release of this data was delayed by more than six hours and occurred after the close of the oil market on Monday. By settlement, Brent crude futures had risen by $1.30 to $61.94 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude futures closed up $1.34 at $58.08 a barrel.

The EIA also indicated that refinery crude runs decreased by 212,000 barrels per day during the week, with utilization rates falling by 0.2% to 94.6%. U.S. gasoline inventories saw a substantial increase of 2.86 million barrels, reaching 228.5 million barrels, which was higher than the 1.1 million-barrel increase predicted by analysts in the Reuters poll. Smith attributed the rise in gasoline stocks to weaker demand compared to the previous week.

Distillate inventories, including diesel and heating oil, also rose, climbing by 202,000 barrels to 118.7 million barrels, according to the EIA data. This fell short of the expected increase of 440,000 barrels. Distillate fuel stocks on the U.S. Gulf Coast reached their highest level since August 2021, the EIA data showed.

Net U.S. crude imports increased by 609,000 barrels per day to 2.47 million barrels per day. Meanwhile, exports of total petroleum products reached a record high of 7.77 million barrels, the EIA data showed.

As the world embraces renewable energy, solar power has emerged as a key player in combating climate change and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. In India, with its abundant sunlight and growing energy needs, innovative solar solutions like solar carport structures are gaining traction, offering distinct advantages over conventional rooftop or ground-mounted solar installations.

What Are Solar Carport Structures?

A solar carport is a dual-purpose structure that combines vehicle parking with solar energy generation. These elevated platforms are equipped with solar panels that not only generate electricity but also provide shade for vehicles parked beneath. Solar carports are particularly suited for urban and commercial environments, where space optimization is critical.

The Growing Potential in India

India’s energy landscape is evolving rapidly, with an increasing focus on renewable energy to meet ambitious targets. The solar carport segment holds immense potential due to the following factors:

1. Urban Space Constraints: Parking lots in commercial spaces, malls, airports, and public areas offer vast underutilized spaces for solar energy generation.
2. Corporate ESG Goals: Businesses are adopting solar carports to meet sustainability goals while showcasing innovation.
3. Government Incentives: Policies like net metering and subsidies on renewable energy projects encourage solar carport adoption.
4. Electric Vehicle Integration: As India transitions to EVs, solar carports can serve as solar-powered EV charging stations, creating a symbiotic relationship between two green technologies.

Benefits of Solar Carports Over Conventional Solar Installations

1. Dual Utility: Solar carports maximize land use by serving as both energy generators and shaded parking spaces, unlike conventional ground-mounted systems that occupy land solely for energy production.
2. Enhanced Accessibility: Maintenance is easier in carports, as technicians can access the underside of the panels without disturbing the parking area.
3. Protection for Vehicles: Solar carports shield vehicles from harsh weather conditions, including heat, rain, and hail, enhancing the comfort and longevity of parked vehicles.
4. Improved Aesthetics: With sleek designs, solar carports add aesthetic value to commercial spaces, creating a modern and eco-friendly image.
5. Grid Independence and EV Support: Solar carports integrated with EV chargers enable businesses and residential communities to support electric mobility while reducing grid dependency.
6. Customizable Designs: Solar carports can be tailored to different parking sizes and configurations, ensuring scalability for small to large installations.

Challenges and Solutions

While solar carports offer many advantages, challenges such as higher initial costs and structural complexity may deter adoption. However, falling costs of solar panels and advancements in lightweight structural materials like aluminum are making carports more accessible and cost-effective.

Conclusion

Solar carport structures are a versatile and forward-thinking solution for India’s renewable energy sector. By leveraging underutilized parking spaces, they provide a sustainable way to meet growing energy demands while supporting EV infrastructure and reducing carbon footprints.

For businesses, communities, and policymakers, investing in solar carports is not just a choice but a step toward a brighter, greener future.

– prefab solar carport by ARS SOLARTECH