NASA’s 1.5 billion-mile Psyche asteroid mission will be solar-powered
NASA will explore a large, metal-rich asteroid with an remote-operated craft powered by two cross-shaped solar arrays.
Do rigid trackers get the most out of large format modules?
Arctech Solar released a new white paper outlining the opportunities presented by stowing modules at a zero-degree angle in high-wind scenarios, a solution made possible by the advent of rigid trackers.
US EV battery manufacturer demonstrates 750+ mile range, raises $65 million
Michigan’s Our Next Energy (ONE) said it will use the funding led by BMW to accelerate R&D and build a US manufacturing facility.
Rackless, earth-mounted solar provider earns funding
Erthos secured a $17.5 million Series B from an investor who participated in the startup of Tesla and SpaceX. The utility-scale solar company has a 2.5GW project pipeline.
You may be able to wirelessly charge your EV this year
WiTricity unveiled plans for an aftermarket wireless charging station for select electric vehicle models.
IBM, ABB, and Worley team up to help energy companies build and operate green hydrogen facilities
The collaboration aims to offer a digitally enabled solution for facility owners to build green hydrogen assets more quickly, cheaply, and safely.
Sunrise brief: Utilities appeal FERC denial to leave TVA–decision goes to courts
Also on the rise: LONGi modules detained under Hoshine WRO released. IBC solar cells shows efficiency potential of over 29%. SPI to begin manufacturing in former Sunergy plant. Is accelerated interconnection possible? Build Back Better now or later.
Novel IBC solar cell architecture based on crystal photonics shows efficiency potential of 29.1%
Scientists in Germany designed a poly-Si on oxide (POLO) interdigitated back-contact (IBC) solar cell integrating photon crystals and found this architecture has the potential to reach a power conversion efficiency of over 28%, which would be 1% higher than the current practical limit set by the scientific community. They also found that by improving passivation, the efficiency may be raised up to 29.1%.
Sunrise brief: Schneider Electric purchases controlling stake in EnergySage
Also on the rise: Perch Energy to bring community solar to Massachusetts. US start-up mPower Technology is scaling up its flexible crystalline silicon solar module technology for spatial and terrestrial applications. Popular mid-Atlantic restaurant and convenience store chain, Sheetz, has come to a long-term renewable energy supply agreement with Constellation. Ohio regulators approve 325MW solar project. The Massachusetts Solar Technical Assistance Retrofits program has committed to 3MW of development. Despite Q4 loss, REC Silicon has big plans for US polysilicon manufacturing.
Flexible PV panels based on hyperconnected back-contact solar cells
US start-up mPower Technology is scaling up its flexible crystalline silicon solar module technology for spatial and terrestrial applications. The back-contact solar panels consist of micro-singulated silicon dies that are “hyper-interconnected” in series or in parallel. The devices have efficiency ranging from 22 to 23% depending on the size or applications.
