Semi-transparent organic photovoltaics for greenhouse applications
Scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), have used an antioxidant known as L-glutathione as an interlayer in an organic PV cell to prevent other materials from oxidizing. The cell has an efficiency of 13.5% and an average visible transmittance of 21.5%. The researchers said it is suitable for applications in solar greenhouses.
Sunrise brief: Volatile electricity markets should give solar financial modelers pause
Also on the rise: Silfab Solar raises $125 million for U.S. cell and module manufacturing. Tariff investigation, equipment detainments lead to 16% drop in new solar capacity in 2022. And more.
TOPCon shingle solar cell achieves 22.0% efficiency via thermal laser separation
Scientists from Germany’s Fraunhofer ISE and US panel maker Solaria have applied thermal laser separation and post-metallization passivated edge technology to tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) cell production. They have developed shingle PV devices that are more efficient than cells built with conventional laser scribing and mechanical cleaving methods.
PJM projects 48 to 94 GW of renewables will be built in the grid region by 2030
The grid operator’s projected 5% “completion rate” for projects in its interconnection queue was questioned by executives at the renewables trade group ACORE and the consultancy GridLab.
Distributed generation finance platform raises $25 million
Banyan Infrastructure is raising a $25 million Series B equity round from Energize Ventures, SE Ventures and Elemental Excelerator to digitize the manual process of procuring project finance between banks, investors and project developers.
Honda reusing vehicle fuel cells to build 500 kW stationary fuel cell system
Honda has revealed that it is testing a pilot stationary fuel cell stationary power system in California.
Solar field robot mower receives SOLV Energy seed funds
Canada’s Swap Robotics received $7 million to scale its robotics-as-a-service offering.
U.S. needs 47,000 more GW-miles of transmission by 2035 for a cleaner grid
The U.S. Department of Energy said it may designate “National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors” based partly on the final results from its national transmission needs study.
Florida multi-family solar installation uses SolShare behind-the-meter hardware
SolShare technology enables the residents in 65 of the units to subscribe to a portion of the solar energy produced on the roof, offsetting the cost of their individual electricity bills.
Sunrise brief: Training the U.S. solar workforce
Also on the rise: Solar tower of power goes vertical. Important code requirements and recent developments for PV systems. And more.
