Technology

pv magazine was joined by Borrego to discuss a recent provisional win for solar developers in the state, and how the future of interconnection costs may be distributed.

The PV industry in 2021 has largely been defined by disruption: Price increases from raw materials to final shipping have led to shortages in PV module supply and project delays the world over. Despite these upsets, innovation has continued at pace, and the year has seen plenty of technological twists and turns that are sure to spell good news for solar in the long run. Read on for a look back at some of the biggest developments.

The world’s most powerful telescope took to the skies on December 25th. The array was deployed and powered 30 minutes after launch.

A diversified and talented workforce, proximity to customers, and strong partnerships on the ground in Arizona prompted Meyer Burger to establish a production site in Goodyear, Arizona.

Also on the rise: Beaming solar from space is one step closer to reality. Wisconsin looks to add 165 MW of solar. Batteries to the rescue: Changes to California’s net-metering program may seriously erode the value of rooftop residential solar without the aid of battery energy storage. Missouri solar project acquired by Scout Clean Energy.

Air Force Research Lab demonstrates key hardware for Arachne flight experiment, which aims to build an operational space-based solar power transmission system. 

The record efficiency was achieved by engineering the cell with reduced copper(II) oxide (CuO) and copper (Cu) impurities in the thin-film deposition. It showed an open-circuit voltage of 1.13 V, a short-circuit current of 10.63 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 0.696.

Goal is to reduce cost of heliostats by 50% and accelerate U.S. manufacturing

The use of phosphorene nanoribbons boosted the cell, putting it on par with traditional silicon cell output levels.

The Saddlebrook Solar + Storage Project will be a 102.5 MW installation, paired with 6.5 MW/52 MWh of Lockheed Martin’s GridStar Flow battery technology, and will be the largest flow battery energy storage facility in Alberta.