The new SunPower: CEO Tom Werner on disintegrating a PV firm and software eating solar-plus-storage
“It’s what we’ve talked about for many years — it makes sense to produce energy where you use it. And it makes sense that it would be intelligent and easily optimized. The new SunPower will focus exclusively on accomplishing that.”
Hanergy named in class action complaint by ex-employees at Alta Devices
“Hanergy…is not above the rule of law, and this is not China. In abruptly closing the Alta plant, defendants violated the federal and California WARN Acts, which require at least 60 days written notice of termination where a plant is shut down and/or mass layoffs occur.”
A record-breaking quarter for Tesla energy storage and an improvement in solar
The internet’s favorite energy company installed 530 megawatt-hours of battery storage in Q4, beating out the previous record, set last quarter, as well as showing continued improvement in solar installations.
MIT and NREL see solar modules reaching well below 20¢ per watt
Although, the author of this article sees a path below 15¢ per watt. Researchers at MIT, working with financial modeling teams at NREL, have projected the electrical losses and financial gains of thinning solar cells from the current 160 micrometers to 50 micrometers.
Stem, a behind-the-meter energy storage company, is for sale
Stem, a behind-the-meter energy storage startup that has raised hundreds of millions, is up for sale, according to reports in SparkSpread.
Shifting to a larger solar wafer format: the rise of M6
The shift to the larger M6 wafer format could occur faster than many have expected. Promoted heavily by mono giant Longi, the format is said to be a good fit for both cell and module production, while still allowing for relatively trouble-free integration into PV arrays.
Zinc-air battery being deployed in New York aims for extremely low $45/kWh cost
New York state has chosen Zinc8’s zinc-air battery to demonstrate the technology’s viability over a three-year period in a 100 kW/1 MWh storage system.
SunCast Episode 222: demand-response microgrids with AJ Perkins of DR Microgrid
In this episode of SunCast, Nico sits down with AJ Perkins of DR Microgrid to focus on implications around the rise of resiliency and battery storage and solar plus storage.
Hardware Brief: Solar mandate in real life, two types of weird new racking, 50/150 cell 500 watt module, more!
Module pricing is flat this week as the Chinese New Year approaches, Acme Express won $1 million to design new C&I racking, Unirac is testing a new connection technique, and Trina is deploying the largest and newest solar cell type. USA-Editors@pv-magazine.com gets your gear in here!
Panasonic claims 16% efficiency for lightweight perovskite solar module
The device has an area of 802cm² and thickness of 2mm. The manufacturer claims it improved module performance through an inkjet coating method and a reduction in weight by using thin glass substrates.
