Self-healing perovskite solar PV cells can withstand fierce cosmic radiation
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.
Sunrun signs on to recycle solar panels with Solarcycle
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.
Sunrise brief: Over 500 solar installers share their views of the US solar industry
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.
Funding announced for US battery manufacturing, processing, and recycling
$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.
Milwaukee startup claims hydrogen output for $0.85/kg or less via new water vapor electrolyzer
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.
Using soot from biomass for solar thermal absorption
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.
MIT, NREL researchers develop 40%-efficient thermophotovoltaic cell for grid-scale thermal batteries
The device is described as a heat engine with no moving parts that is able to produce power from a heat source of between 1,900 to 2,400 C. This concept is known as thermal energy grid storage (TEGS) and consists of a low-cost, grid-scale storage technology that uses thermophotovoltaic cells to convert heat to electricity above 2,000 C.
Department of Energy looks to integrate Vehicle-to-Everything bi-directional charging into US infrastructure
The US DOE released a Memorandum of Understanding that aims to bring together parties to advance bi-directional charging with cybersecurity as a core component.
Sunrise brief: Two surveys on fallout from anti-circumvention investigation show a hard road ahead for US solar industry
Also on the rise: Broad Reach Power procures 900 MWh of battery systems from CATL for solar portfolio in Texas. Job moves at Maxeon Solar Technologies, PowerMarket, Ulteig and more. Sunrun says better policy is needed to add “vast” amounts of distributed solar and storage. Ohio regulators to review two massive renewable energy project proposals. California utility SDG&E sees utility scale solar growing greater than 10X by 2045. New JM Steel manufacturing plant will have a Nextracker tracker production line.
Sunrise brief: Statevolt shares plans to build $4 billion EV battery gigafactory with 54 GWh output in southern California
Also on the rise: SunStyle brings its solar shingles to the US market. Urban Electric Power unveils 1 MWh battery system at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. Solar Superstar cities set the pace for solar development in the US. 2nd grader, Neil, gets a response to his letter to John Fitzgerald Weaver. Canadian university to be equipped with a stealthy solar façade/microgrid.
