Perovskite has changed its status to single (cell)
In another breakthrough for the material so many solar advocates hope will replace traditional silicon in module production, a group of scientists in China and the United States have produced the first monocrystalline perovskite cell, which could accelerate its acceptance as a silicon replacement.
NREL, Swiss researchers break 35% cell efficiency
A collaborative project between the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratories and researchers from two Swiss centers has tested a range of multi junction cells in tandem configuration, and achieved efficiencies of up to 35.9%.
Inside the DOE grid study – an interview with Mark Dyson of RMI
Mark Dyson, a manager at Rocky Mountain Institute’s electricity practice, has some things to say about what the DOE grid study released last night got right – and what it got wrong.
DOE grid study less politicized than expected
While the final version of the Energy Department’s overdue study on the electricity system is more restrained that many of the Trump Administration’s talking points, it still relies on outdated assumptions about the U.S. power system.
Audi & Alta Devices to develop solar for cars
The gallium arsenide PV maker will collaborate with Audi on thin-film solar research, with plans to exhibit a PV-integrated Audi prototype vehicle by the end of this year.
The future of solar in MISO
MISO plans to conduct a multi-year study of how increasing amounts of solar and other forms of renewable energy will impact its territory and how to manage expected growth.
And the grid shrugged: North Carolina, Georgia see little effect from solar eclipse
Let’s hope Secretary Rick Perry was paying attention: Today’s eclipse across two of the country’s most solar states yielded almost no disruption – meaning solar does not inherently weaken the grid.
California’s grid passes eclipse test with flying colors
California ISO reports that it did not even have any minor challenges on its system as the eclipse passes over the state.
Technical challenges of the eclipse
In this interview with pv magazine, Energy Innovations Power Sector Transformation Expert Mike O’Boyle talks about what it will take for U.S. grids with large amounts of solar to deal with the eclipse – and how he thinks this will pan out.
Staying below 2 degrees is “possible and practical” says RMI
The Rocky Mountain Institute’s new report Positive Disruption describes pathways for the global economy to mitigate serious global warming through accelerated adoption of renewable energy, the transformation of our energy and transportation system, and improved management of agriculture, forestry, and other land-uses. Staying below two degrees Celsius of warming is not just possible the report argues but practical given the accelerating declines in the cost of renewable energy.
