Sunrise brief: Who’s putting solar on their roof and why
Also on the rise: Small-scale solar best for environment but agrivoltaics may be the answer. BLM seeks public comment on 400 MW solar project near Las Vegas. And more.
EV owners more likely to install rooftop solar on homes
The NREL behavioral study analysis, funded by the DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office, was based on a survey of 869 households in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Small-scale solar best for environment but agrivoltaics may be the answer
A lifecycle analysis finds that although it’s better for the environment to put solar on a roof, a mix of both is needed.
Sunrise brief: NYC area energy storage developer nets $225 million investment
Also on the rise: Ohio’s largest solar complex activates its first phase. Agrivoltaics can help meet growing needs of the Lone Star State. And more.
The effect of PV plants on albedo, vegetation, land temperature
Scientists have used remote sensing to analyze the effect solar farms have across 116 sites worldwide. They found that the cooling effect is higher during the daytime, with albedo decreasing by 0.016 for most facilities.
Agrivoltaics can help meet growing needs of the Lone Star State
As the economy and population in Texas grows, so does its demand for electricity as well as sustainable food production. Texas A&M researchers collaborated on a study that finds that agrivoltaics offers the potential to enhance the efficiency of both.
Utility scale solar farms contribute to bird diversity
New research has shown that solar parks can play a positive role in promoting bird diversity in the agricultural landscape of Central Europe. The scientists said solar farms offer food availability and nesting sites.
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%.
Researchers discover new factor in perovskite solar cell stability
Georgia Tech researchers discovered that isolated water or oxygen exposure does not degrade cells, and it is rather the interplay of the molecules that cause rapid degradation.
Record-breaking Q3 for U.S. energy storage deployment
Wood Mackenzie/ACP report estimates that grid scale energy storage deployment increased by 37% quarter on quarter.
