Tesla/Panasonic Gigafactory to begin producing PV modules in summer 2017
Panasonic also take over capital costs at the new factory in Buffalo, and its HIT technology will be used in the Solar Roof product
Kit Carson Co-op voluntarily commits to 100% solar electricity in summer
The New Mexico power producer has always wanted to serve its customers with renewable energy, but was severely limited by a previous contract. Now, thanks to a landmark FERC ruling and a new ‘angel’ wholesale-electricity supplier, the co-op can finally reach its goals.
1366, Hanwha achieve 19.6% multicrystalline cell efficiency
Using 1366’s groundbreaking kerfless silicon wafers and Hanwha’s proprietary PERC cell process, the cells’ remarkable performance was verified by an independent testing firm.
Solar receives transmission boost in the West
As part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan to cut carbon pollution and create clean energy jobs, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell approved two transmission lines to deliver energy across Southwest.
Trina Solar sets new 22.61% mono PERC efficiency record
he Chinese Tier 1 solar developer announces a new conversion efficiency for its mono-crystalline silicon PERC cell that surpasses its previous world record by a full half-percentage point.
Panasonic to supply PV modules to Tesla from Japan, Malaysia
The collaboration between the two companies is moving beyond Panasonic running the Tesla/SolarCity gigafactory, and will enable Panasonic to re-open a factory in Japan.
IEA: solar, wind need new policies to tackle variability concerns
New report by the International Energy Agency identifies the integration of masses of variable renewable energy as the chief challenge facing next-generation solar and wind power, citing policy support as key in maximizing potential.
Bill Gates’ energy innovation fund commits to $1 billion in investment
The Breakthrough Energy Coalition is backing research on zero-carbon technologies; however its guidelines show a lack of understanding of solar technology and market development.
Report finds net metering is not sustainable over the long-term
The report by electricity market researchers finds that the value that solar contributes to the grid decreases with higher penetrations, making net metering unsuitable in the long run. But in most markets, those higher penetrations are still a long way off.
Australian researchers produce 12% efficient, 16cm2 perovskite PV cell
University of New South Wales researchers have achieved the highest efficiency for a perovskite PV cell of its size to date.
