Technology and R&D

Hail events have historically posed a considerable risk for utility solar projects, with weather instances creating up to $100 million in damages at large projects located in “Hail Alley” states such as Texas.

2023 Scorecard names 250 types of solar modules from 35 manufacturers as Top Performers.

Arizona State University will establish the Electrified Processes for Industry Without Carbon to electrify industrial heating processes.

An energy data software start-up company has released the 8760 Energy Model, a data set and report that provides utilities and industry stakeholders with behind-the-meter energy data tracked at the hourly level throughout the year.

First Solar has agreed to pay $38 million to buy Swedish manufacturing startup Evolar AB, as it seeks to expand development of high-efficiency tandem PV tech.

Selected projects in thirteen states and Puerto Rico will be funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and support a resilient grid that automatically adjusts to changing demands.

University of New South Wales researchers have identified four failure modes caused by damp heat in heterojunction solar panels with a glass-back sheet configuration. The failures could result in power losses ranging from 5% to 50%.

NREL researchers model viable pathways to supplying the estimated 60 TW of capacity required for decarbonization, and study the effect that disruptive solar technologies may have on deployment cost and market opportunity.

Also on the rise: Fold-out NASA satellite solar array undergoes successful test deployment. Solar-plus-storage microgrids to be deployed in four Bay Area cities. And more.

The new funding, governed by the Inflation Reduction Act, is to be used to build a clean energy economy, create new manufacturing jobs and helping families save money on their energy bills.