Recycled silicon used in 19.7% efficient PERC solar cells
Led by German research institute Fraunhofer ISE, the consortium has built the solar cells with 100% crystalline silicon recycled from end-of-life photovoltaic panels. The silicon is recycled through a technique conceived by German specialist Reiling GmbH & Co. KG and the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP.
Biden administration extends Section 201 tariffs on imported CSPV panels and cells
Today’s proclamation upholds the exclusion for bifacial panels and increases the annual tariff rate quota to 5GW for cells.
US solar module manufacturer nets $5 million investment, 250MW supply deal
Altus Power committed to a multi-year supply agreement with tier 1 North American PV module manufacturer Heliene, and invested $5 million in the company’s growth.
Sunrise brief: The interconnection queue in the US jumped from 139GWac in 2019 to 639GWac today. A true solar tsunami.
Also on the rise: Enel may bring heterojunction solar module manufacturing to the US. Stem awarded 110MWh energy storage portfolio in New York. PG&E plans 1.6GW/6.4GWh battery storage portfolio through 2024. The 100,000 big box stores in the US could generate 84TWh of electricity from solar power on their rooftops. Greenbacker enters the world of floatovoltaics. Powin enters partnership with Celestica at its Monterrey, Mexico facility. Sol Systems to invest over $1 million in 2022 in five initial partner organizations.
Enel mulls building heterojunction solar module factory in the US
In a recent media brief, new Enel Green Power CEO Salvatore Bernabei said that another heterojunction solar module factory may be built abroad, with the United States being a possible location.
Sunrise brief: A net-zero microgrid service for datacenters
Also on the rise: Solar-plus-storage projects in Nevada move forward. Growatt releases lithium-iron phosphate battery for off-grid solar. Zinc-air battery, CHP, and solar to power apartment complex in New York. Solar Decathlon celebrates 20 years of training tomorrow’s clean energy workforce. Louisville startup secures $2 million funding for copper paste that replacessilver in solar panels.
Louisville startup secures $2 million funding for copper paste that may lower cost of solar
Bert Thin Films, a University of Louisville research-backed startup, is developing a copper-based paste that may replace silver components in solar panels.
Bipartisan group of eight US Senators urge President Biden not to extend solar tariffs
US Senator Jacky Rosen led the group in writing a letter today to President Biden, asking him not to extend Section 201 tariffs on imported solar panels and cells.
Array Technologies acquires STI Norland
The merger is touted as creating the world’s largest tracker company, and the move is expected to accelerate Array’s international expansion efforts.
Solar-powered hydrogen for domestic applications via building-integrated transparent platform
An international research group has created a closed-loop, transparent energy platform based on PV power generation and hydrogen production from photo-electrochemical cells. The system is claimed to supply power without interruption and to be transparent enough to be integrated into buildings.
