Next-gen battery trends
Lithium ion is the industry standard for a reason. Marija Maisch examines the most promising technological advances that could lead to further improvements in performance and cost from this versatile battery chemistry.
What’s in store for storage?
InfoLink’s global lithium ion battery supply chain database indicates that the energy storage market experienced a severe surplus and a growing price war in 2023. Despite these forces, market momentum is supporting relatively rapid expansion.
Systemic barriers that stand in the way of clean energy investment
The Middle Island Solar Farm stands today as a beacon of innovation and sustainability after public perception, outdated zoning laws and bureaucratic red tape presented significant hurdles to its development.
Fluke introduces I-V curve tracer for utility-scale solar industry
By adding the PVA-1500 Series I-V curve tracer to its portfolio, Fluke now offers tools for solar professionals servicing everything from the distributed generation to the utility-scale.
Slowing distributed energy growth continues into 2024
Ohm Analytics reported that the 2.3 GW of distributed generation, which includes rooftop solar, deployed in Q4 2023 marked the end of a long period of growth. Roth MKM warns that if a turnaround does not occur soon, residential solar could decline by 20% to 30% in 2024.
Sunrise brief: Can anything topple lithium-ion?
Also on the rise: Tesla’s power play, New York announces clean hydrogen funds, solar wafer market oversupply, and more.
Nextracker to use local steel in 480 MW Queensland project
In the Australian leg of its global strategy, US-based tracker supplier Nextracker will use locally produced steel for a major project.
Scientists identify new ‘promising’ absorber material for thin-film solar cells
Researchers in the United States have identified zintl-phosphide (BaCd2P2) as a new potential high efficiency absorber material for thin-film PV applications among 40,000 promising inorganic materials. The selected compound has a potential energy bandgap of 1.45 eV and a carrier lifetime of up to 30 ns.
Can anything topple lithium-ion?
The need for long-duration energy storage in a net-zero world is undeniable but with conventional battery prices tumbling, can anything dislodge the mainstream grip of lithium ion? S&P Global’s Susan Taylor provides an update on non-lithium storage technologies.
Tesla’s new power play
The first installations featuring the Tesla Powerwall 3 are currently being completed in the United States, with the company promoting a fully integrated solar-plus-storage and electric vehicle (EV) residential system, with big backup power capacity. While the first Powerwall created a new market segment, the latest iteration enters a marketplace in oversupply.
