Rain insufficient for removing tree pollen from solar panels
An analysis by NREL in North Carolina reveals that various types of tree pollen can reduce solar panel efficiency by over 15%. Unlike the immediate improvements assumed to follow heavy rain, recovery of performance post-pollen season is gradual. Manual cleaning post-rain can boost performance by 5% to 11%.
Off-grid solar truck tent concept on display at CES 2024
Jackery will unveil its solar powered tent truck attachment at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
New solar tree design offers improved module cooling, lower shading losses
Researchers in Hungary have proposed to build photovoltaic trees with a significant distance between the solar panels. The proposed sunflower-shaped design reportedly reduces shading losses between the panels while improving cooling and heat dissipation.
Utility trade groups call for $1.2 billion to boost transformer manufacturing
To cure a shortage of distribution transformers, trade groups representing the utility and housing industries have called for federal funding to boost U.S. manufacturing of the equipment.
Tesla releases API for solar, Powerwall, EV charger
The company released an application programming interface to enable third-party developers to interact with Tesla home energy products.
More awareness of heat pump capabilities and incentives could drive adoption
Despite generous incentives offered for heat pumps, adoption by both homeowners and contractors may be stalled by lack of understanding of the function of today’s heat pumps or awareness of the incentives.
CMBlu Energy’s organic flow batteries to be tested in microgrids, cold climates
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory will carry out demonstration projects to validate long-duration energy storage tech developed by German manufacturer CMBlu Energy. The collaborative project is designed to improve microgrids in cold climates and make fast charging of electric vehicles more affordable in underserved communities.
DOE seeks input on high-priority areas for transmission
The Department of Energy has begun a process to designate National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, and invites industry input on the first stage of the process by February 2.
Homeowners improve solar plus battery payback period with virtual power plants
Virtual power plants (VPP) coordinate home energy resources, dispatching power to the grid at key times of high electricity demand in exchange for compensation.
Cadmium Telluride Accelerator awardees to receive $1.8 million in contracts
The awards will enable the seven research groups to develop cheaper, more efficient and scalable solutions to thin film solar cells made from domestic raw materials.
