Holographic light collector could improve solar panel yield
The collector is built with a low-cost holographic optical element and a diffuser and can be easily embedded into conventional PV modules, according to its creators.
Scientists gain an atom-level view into perovskite cell efficiency
Using Department of Energy laboratories, scientists learned at the atomic level that a liquid-like motion in perovskites may explain how they efficiently produce electric currents.
Duke Energy to test novel approach to turn coal plants into energy storage stations
Funded by a Department of Energy grant, the project will evaluate Malta Inc.’s thermal energy storage system as a viable, scalable solution.
Sunrise brief: Hawaiian Electric calls for maximum customer-owned solar to hit decarbonization goals
Also on the rise: DOE funds university hydrogen research, Canadian Solar backs an AI-based energy storage tech provider, Mitsubishi partners to develop hydrogen storage for U.S. markets, and two Canadian companies float a ‘blue’ hydrogen plan.
XPRIZE launches $100 million carbon removal challenge, backed by Musk Foundation
The four-year global competition invites innovators and teams to demonstrate solutions that can pull carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere or oceans.
RPI launches energy institute with backing from Siemens and Lutron Electronics
The New York City-based institute will link architectural design and engineering to create infrastructure that is both net-zero in energy use and climate resilient.
A geospatial approach to evaluating potential solar sites
High-resolution data let the study group drill down to individual parcels in order to figure out how much land is available for solar in both optimal and preferred sites.
Sunrise brief: GOP bill aims to ban federal funds to buy solar equipment made in China
Also on the rise: Concentric Power builds a microgrid, research pegs smoke’s impact on 2020 solar output, SolRiver buys a Carolinas development portfolio, jobs growth could signal good times for solar installations, and Plug Power plans another green hydrogen plant.
EPRI nets $2m to study why people choose solar energy
EPRI will look into how residential and commercial utility customers make decisions related to adopting solar power along with other technologies, such as energy storage and electric vehicles.
Commercial trucks are ripe for electrification, if policies back EV adoption
A Berkeley Lab report says that a lack of policies is blocking wider adoption of electric trucks. Even so, ventures are under way to shift the diesel-to-electric transition into high gear.
