2025

Inverters must withstand the high levels of heat generated when operating, otherwise system performance and reliability could be at risk. Cody Schoener of Dow Performance Silicones argues using silicone-based materials for inverters can improve thermal management and fire protection, while offering thermal stability, environmental resistance, electrical isolation and support for operational efficiency.

Canadian researchers investigated how the transparency of cadmium telluride and crystalline silicon solar panels affects lettuce growth in agrivoltaic systems. They found that 69%–transparent silicon panels increased lettuce yield by 3.6%, whereas cadmium telluride panels led to a reduction in yield.

Behind-the-meter solar for homes, businesses, and communities comes with numerous benefits, said a paper from Stanford engineering professor Mark Jacobson.

As corporate buyers and registries add biodiversity metrics to renewable energy credits, pollinator-friendly solar is emerging as a differentiator in the REC market.

The U.S. startup said the 30 x 30 cm perovskite solar cell device featured its tin oxide electron transport material produced in a sheet-to-sheet slot die coating process.

The utility-scale solar project is expected to contribute $17 million in tax revenues over the first 20 years of operations while adding enough renewable energy to power approximately 45,600 homes per year.

“Without decisive action” to add storage, “millions of homes and businesses could face costly and dangerous reliability risks,” said the trade group sponsoring the study. “Hundreds of storage projects are stalled in PJM’s interconnection queue,” it added.

Demand for copper, often considered as one of the most valuable alternatives to silver in solar manufacturing, is expected to increase by almost a quarter globally by the middle of next decade. Wood Mackenzie says the energy transition is one of four ‘disruptors’ that could cause demand to increase further.

The company’s new EP6K ESS provides a flexible and affordable solar battery system for homes with existing solar rooftops, while the Pioneer Na delivers advanced sodium-ion power for extreme cold and winter storms.

Researchers in Canada have proposed using gravity-based energy storage in high-rise buildings, in combination with photovoltaic facades, small wind turbines, and lithium-ion batteries. Their modeling indicated that this hybrid system could achieve a levelized cost of energy ranging from $0.051/kWh to $0.111/kWh.