Breaking up the patent monopoly for the benefit of batteries
The patent monopoly is at odds with the global need for battery storage technology and if this norm continues, technology will not be able to be released in time to keep up with current climate goals.
Tesla EVs show profit while solar business hits new lows in revenue and deployment
It was a series of firsts, including a profitable full year and Megapack turning a profit that factored into CEO Elon Musk explaining that he has “never been more optimistic or excited about the future of Tesla.” Austin is confirmed as the site of the next Gigafactory.
Breaking: Explosions at GCL polysilicon fab have reportedly taken down 10% of global production capacity
California-based investment banking group Roth Capital Partners has reported four flash explosions on Sunday and a fifth yesterday “working their way through the GCL facility across multiple systems in a chain-reaction-like sequence.”
NREL looks to tackle PV waste before it’s too late
With up to 80 million tons of solar photovoltaic panels expected to hit landfills globally by 2050, the national lab has taken a look into refining how crystalline silicon module recycling is done — in order to establish a circular market.
Morning Brief: Trina launches 600 W solar module, Jinko hits 24.7% efficiency for n-type mono, Tesla tweaks PV price again
Also in the brief: Trump finalizes rollback of bedrock environmental law, how justice and climate change are inseparable
Job Moves: Lior Handelsman leaves SolarEdge, plus Form Energy, Generate, Omnidian, FirstLight, MP2, Jurchen
Executive, career and boardroom moves in solar, storage, cleantech, utilities and energy VC.
Traditional O&M teams are not equipped to recover distressed PV assets after severe weather events
In the U.S., this year alone, there have been ten weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
A closer look at Jinko’s 565 W to 585 W panel
The module – which measures 2,411 mm × 1,134 mm × 35 mm, weighs 31.1 kg and features 156 p-type monocrystalline cells – is available in five versions with power outputs of 565 W to 585 W and efficiencies of 20.6% to 21.4%. Jinko says the Pro Tiger series will become the company’s main revenue stream in 2022, surpassing the Tiger 475 W panel.
Update on Natron Energy, sodium-ion battery builder with $35M from ABB, Khosla, Chevron
The startup is “going after some applications that have been traditionally lead acid and some that have been lithium ion. Think ultra-fast discharges, unbelievable cycle lives, low cost, and non-toxic materials.”
Morning Brief: newer solar equipment ages gracefully, Solar FlexRack provides trackers for 14 MW of projects
Also in the brief: nearly 1 MW of solar has been installed on the roof of a 300,000-square-foot Kroger bakery facility, a big-rig driver installing solar on his truck, camouflage for solar panels and more.
