Technology and R&D

Also on the rise: A look at Massachusetts solar incentives–a wellspring of technological and policy innovation. US researchers have investigated how grid-forming inverters could help to resolve network synchronization issues. Perovskites studied as potential material for producing hydrogen in a renewable way. Amazon signs with AES for 450 MW solar, 225 MW four-hour storage

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

US researchers have investigated how grid-forming inverters could help to resolve network synchronization issues. They have found that multi-loop devices could offer strong damping support in power systems with intermittent renewables.

Also on the rise: Utility TVA targets 10 GW of solar by 2035, currently owns 1 MW in operation. Maxeon unveils whole home energy management system SunPower One. Washington DC outpacing its own solar goals, for now. AES to supply Microsoft with 110 MW of solar, 220 MWh of storage. Self-healing perovskite solar PV cells can withstand fierce cosmic radiation. Porsche AG leads $400 million series C funding of US high-performance battery cell fabrication.

The development of a set of testing protocols for perovskite solar cells intended for use outside Earth’s atmosphere could lead to the devices being installed permanently, and even manufactured, on the moon.

Startup Solarcycle is using second-life panels from Sunrun to develop new ways to test, reuse and upcycle the retired solar panels in Sunrun’s project portfolio.

Also on the rise: Using soot from biomass for solar thermal absorption. On Saturday April 1, 2022, California was 100% powered by renewables for the first time. California Governor calls on DOC to end anti-circumvention investigation but DOC says it can’t. Milwaukee startup claims hydrogen output for $0.85/kg or less via new water vapor electrolyzer.

$3.1 billion is available to increase production of American-made batteries, with a separate $60 million to support second-life applications for used EV batteries, along with development of processes for recycling materials back into the battery supply chain.

Advanced Ionics has developed an electrolyzer that runs at temperatures below 650 C. It is reportedly able to produce hydrogen for $0.85/kg or less. CEO Chad Mason recently spoke with pv magazine to provide a closer look at the water vapor electrolysis tech.

Solar stoves, water purifiers, industrial drying, and more could potentially be more sustainably built by using soot from burned biomass to efficiently absorb solar energy as heat.