Caltech researchers beam solar from space
Caltech’s space solar program began in 2011 when philanthropist Donald Bren donated more than $100 million in support of the project. In the first demonstration of solar energy beamed to earth, his vision is becoming reality.
NREL adds a lab and announces plans for spending $150 million in IRA funding
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm was on hand for the opening of the Research and Innovation Laboratory, which will focus on plastics upcycling, next-generation batteries and advanced energy materials.
U.S. Government eyes $9 billion liftoff for long duration energy storage by 2030
The U.S. DOE has published a report outlining the requirements for LDES to achieve technical and financial self-sustainability by the end of decade. An estimated $6 billion to $9 billion dollars in capital investment would be necessary, potentially leading to 6 GW to 10 GW of project deployments.
Sunrise brief: PVEL names Top Performers in ninth edition of PV Module Reliability Scorecard
Also on the rise: Indoor cannabis growing facility runs on solar. New Jersey gears up to release agrivoltaic blueprint. And more.
New Jersey’s agrivoltaic program moving forward, fighting interconnection
With a 200 MW solar pilot program and three Rutgers-based R&D initiatives, New Jersey is gearing up to unveil an agrivoltaic blueprint for public deliberation this summer.
Sunrise brief: Polar Racking adds two U.S. solar mount manufacturing facilities
Also on the rise: Automated solar permitting speeds approval process. PJM’s pace of interconnection will not meet demand through 2028, says NRDC. And more.
Antifreeze battery chemistry improves cold weather EV driving range
In a recent Argonne and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory study, researchers developed a fluorine-containing electrolyte chemistry that performs well for EVs driving in sub-zero temperatures.
Electrification could cost California up to $50 billion if loads are not managed
If California infrastructure needs for high electrification were met exclusively with distribution assets, without real-time dynamic rates and flexible load management strategies, the cost could reach $50 billion by 2035, a study by Kevala found.
Sunrise brief: Maryland becomes the 23rd community solar state
Also on the rise: Puerto Rico cannot afford to repay any of utility PREPA’s debt, says analyst. 50 states of solar incentives–Arizona. And more.
Researchers assess degradation in PV systems older than 15 years
Scientists have used the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) HOMER software to calculate the degradation of solar panels deployed in two rooftop PV systems operating in Germany since 2003. Their calculations focused on the energy productivity of the systems.
