A look at the great transformer shortage affecting U.S. utilities
An NREL team finds that lead times for transformers has grown fourfold in three years, with orders sometimes taking two years. Additionally price increases of four to nine times have been reported in the past 3 years.
Solar now accounts for over 50% of new electricity capacity added to the U.S. grid
Looking back at the first full year since passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, the U.S. Solar Market Insight, Year-in-Review 2023 shows that the legislation has skyrocketed the industry and will have a lasting economic impact in terms of energy, jobs and investment opportunity.
Solar generated 5.5% of U.S. electricity in 2023, a 17.5% increase
Solar generation grew by 17.5% compared to 2022, albeit at a lower rate, adding just over 33 TWh of generation compared to the 40 TWh added in 2022.
Calculating potential impact of EPA’s $7 billion Solar for All program
Solar for All can jumpstart the solar market and expand the benefits of solar far beyond the initial five years of the program. Clean Energy States Alliance notes that after the award decisions are announced, additional states will be evaluating strategies and more households will benefit from this funding over time.
MIT research provides roadmap to perovskite passivation
In previous work, research teams developed methods for passivation, but there wasn’t clear understanding of how the process works. The new MIT study provides details on how to passivate the material’s surface so that the perovskite no longer degrades so rapidly or loses efficiency.
U.S. solar up 52% in 2023 as nation deploys 35.3 GW of capacity
Bloomberg NEF says U.S. clean energy generation grew by 0.9%, with wind and hydro generation falling and solar generation growing 15.4%.
NREL finds 100% renewable scenario improves LA air quality and health
NREL modeled that LA and surround counties could save over $4 billion from improved health outcomes. The most significant reductions in emissions resulted from electrification and infrastructural changes to the non-power sector, such as transportation and buildings.
Beaming radio frequency solar power from space
Researchers at the California Institute of Technology successfully beamed solar power from space to Earth in July. The experimental microwave-beaming satellite was tested for eight months, uncovering existing strengths and weaknesses that will guide future developments of space solar power.
U.S. residential solar prices drop, strong interest in storage
The 18th edition of the EnergySage Marketplace Report finds the residential solar segment in the U.S. is rocked by persistent inflation, the California NEM 3.0 and rising loan fees. Yet prices have fallen and consumer interest in storage is strong.
Take the Solar + Farms survey
The Solar and Storage Industries Institute developed the survey in partnership with the National Farmers Union, the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, and the Solar Energy Industries Association, to examine sentiments surrounding the development of agrivoltaic projects from various perspectives.
