Research

A team at Princeton University developed a new technique to accelerate solar cell longevity testing, while concurrently discovering a layer, only a few atoms in thickness, which is credibly projected to support perovskites lasting thirty years.

A Pacific Northwest National Laboratory study found that allowing customers to opt for real-time power rates, and shift some consumption to lower-priced periods, would lower customer bills 10% to 17%. A pilot study has shown that real-time pricing works, and more pilots are underway.

University of Chicago researchers developed a unique, single-layer solar cell that may be used to power less-invasive implantable medical devices.

Also on the rise: Briggs & Stratton launched the SimpliPHI energy storage system with lithium-ferro-phosphate chemistry. ACORE outlines reduction in solar investment and development if tariffs persist. Holistic solar modeling predicts even lower future pricing. And more.

Government researchers have refined their learning curve calculations and quantified how focusing on CAPEX alone can underestimate declines in project costs.

The Institute for Local Self Reliance ranks states according to distributed energy resources per capita.

Two Australian farmers reported that their solar panels increased grazing quality during drought periods over a four year period, aligning with research suggesting solar panel microclimates might increase water retention, and grass production.

Using highly specialized materials that capture electrons in quantum wells, NREL set a new solar cell efficiency record.

University of Illinois scientists have developed a way to remove snow and ice from solar panels at a much faster rate than conventional approaches. It is based on a glass coating on a film with high optical transparency and superhydrophobicity.

NREL researchers look at perovskite materials for solar-fuel platform that supports DOE’s HydroGEN project.