Geothermal heat pumps help decarbonize energy use and more
Mass adoption of geothermal heat pumps can decarbonize buildings, thus reducing grid transmission needs, according to a report conducted by researchers Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Agrivoltaics may increase forage quality in semi-arid regions
New research from the United States showed agrivoltaic plants on grassland may not only maintain grass productivity but also increase forage quality. The scientists took their measurements at the Jack’s Solar Garden (JSG), an elevated, south-oriented agrivoltaic research facility using single-axis-tracking systems near Longmont, Colorado.
What drives solar adoption not equal across income levels
Lawrence Berkeley researchers studied how solar buying decisions are influenced across varying income levels and offer rationale for policy changes and incentives to spur adoption among low- to middle-income households.
Photovoltaics for marine wildlife telemetry devices
A research team has tested mini solar modules in marine data collection devices, using animal hosts for water column profile measurements. The findings suggest that submarine PV can effectively operate in these applications at depths of up to 22 meters.
U.S. Energy Information Administration says solar power will surpass hydropower by 14% next year
The rapid growth in the generation capacity of solar systems and decreased manufacturing costs can be attributed to this finding.
Mysterious, higher energy yields in vertical PV systems
Scientists in the Netherlands have sought to understand the reason for unexpected gains in vertical PV systems and found that these installations have a much higher heat transfer coefficient than their horizontally deployed counterparts.
NREL presents new GaAs solar cell concept with 27% efficiency
The US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has identified a low-cost way to produce high-efficiency III-V solar cells with dynamic hydride vapor phase epitaxy (D-HVPE). The synthesis involved a gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cell with a gallium indium arsenide phosphide emitter layer.
China expected to dominate solar manufacturing through 2026
A Wood Mackenzie report forecasts that China will hold more than 80% of poly, wafer, cell and module manufacturing capacity for the next three years.
NREL anticipates rising utility-scale costs, decreasing residential costs
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has updated its annual cost modeling tool in light of the Inflation Reduction Act, revealing increased labor costs for utility-scale solar projects and predominantly lower hardware costs due to new manufacturing tax credits.
Sunrise brief: Organic flow battery developer nets $106 million growth investment
Also on the rise: U.S. Airforce embraces e-mobility. Caribbean could become offshore floating solar PV giant. And more.
