RE+, the largest energy event in North America, began this Monday (12), in Las Vegas, in the United States. The event brings together a congress and exhibition from several companies operating in the solar energy, storage, electric mobility and other sectors linked to energy production.
O Solar Channel is present at RE+ following the news presented by companies, including products and services for the North American electricity sector. According to the organization, around 1,400 exhibitors are present until Thursday (14).
On the first day, conferences were held focusing on financing innovative renewable energy technologies, US energy storage market opportunities in 2023 and O&M (operation and maintenance) of photovoltaic systems.
And today the exhibition opened for participants to get to know the companies' new technologies up close. What caught our attention is the difference between utility scale modules and those intended for residential projects, which are smaller. This distinction is due to labor issues.
According to module manufacturers, there is a standard called OSHA, which states that workers should only lift objects that weigh 50 pounds or less, about 22 kg.
If it exceeds this weight, workers must use a mechanical device to lift it or obtain help from another worker. For this reason, for residential projects, installation companies end up opting for smaller modules than those used in construction projects. utility scale.
Another trend in the fair corridors is the use of modules all black. According to Teodor Galitev, from JA Solar, although these modules have a slightly lower efficiency, due to the absence of a white surface and losing more or less 1% of their efficiency, they continue to be the most chosen alternative due to aesthetic issues.
Energy storage systems are also highlighted in RE+, becoming increasingly popular here in the United States, mainly due to changes in legislation.
In California, for example, the value of solar energy credits was reduced by around 75% for new installations of photovoltaic systems.