Solar + wind + storage makes for a DC-powered microgrid
Ensync has begun work on a microgrid tying together 48 kW of vertical wind turbines, 495 kW of rooftop solar, and 730 kWh of energy storage.
Look, in the sky – is it a bird? Is it a plane? No – it’s solar power!
Alta Devices’ gallium arsenide solar research cells have been certified with a 29.1% efficiency, setting a new single junction solar cell efficiency record.
U.S. utilities test distributed energy management
Distributed energy management systems can capture added value from solar and storage by shaving peak loads, providing grid services, and deferring grid investments. Utilities testing such systems have shared their lessons learned, while Western Australia leapfrogs ahead.
The Department of Energy wants you!
The Solar Energy Technologies Office is seeking feedback from solar professionals on what topics it ought research within solar photovoltaics, solar thermal, systems integration and soft cost reduction.
Suncast: pv magazine USA on 100% renewable energy
In this latest version of the Suncast podcast, pv magazine Americas Editor Christian Roselund talks about the feasibility of the 100% renewable electricity targets being considered.
Solar module lifetime predictions are getting better
NREL has proposed a new methodology for determining solar module degradation rates, taking into account measurement challenges such as sensor drift, inverter nuances, soiling and others – keeping the focus on the solar modules themselves.
Solar plus geothermal under review in Nevada
The owner of the Tungsten Mountain Geothermal Unit is researching the addition of 18 MW of solar PV to power some, or all, of the site’s parasitic electric load.
Flexible solar power saves money
An analysis of a First Solar power plant in Tampa, Florida suggests that by operating solar plants with more flexibility operators can save money for ratepayers – while also allowing for significantly higher penetration levels of renewables.
Mars electricity generation record set with 29.5% efficient solar cell
The NASA InSight lander generated 4,588 watt-hours during sol 1, a new record for electricity generation on Mars.
Solar PV generation grows 29%: Slowing, but still on pace to dominate
Per the EIA, electricity generation from solar PV grew 29%, year to date, 2018 over 2017, through the end of the 3rd quarter. So far this year, solar PV has supplied just over 2.3% of the total electricity generated in the United States.
