The path to 1.5¢/kWh solar power, and lower
GTM Research projects 24¢/w solar panels and utility scale fixed-tilt systems at $0.70/W by 2022, which opens up new possibilities for ultra-cheap power from solar.
Hurricane Maria moves Solartech Universal’s expansion to South Florida
Solartech Universal plans to expand its current 80 MW/year capacity by 180 MW/year. The company is seeking a facility in South Florida.
House committee calls for cuts in renewable energy R&D, more money for fossil fuels
The House Committee on Appropriations has moved forward legislation to cut the department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office by $243 million, while increasing funding for fossil fuel programs and nuclear energy.
California residential solar power headed toward $1/W and 2.5¢/kWh
ASU energy security researcher Dr. Wesley Herche and pv magazine author John Weaver describe the new math involved with requiring solar power to be installed at the time of construction for newly built homes.
Stion R&D tools go to auction
Heritage Global Partners will auction off the thin film PV maker’s tools from its research & development facility in Silicon Valley on May 30-31.
Alta Devices launches new solar cell for vehicle integration
Alta Devices has launched a new gallium-arsenide based solar cell, which it says improves on the power to weight ratio of its previous cell by 160%. The cell is designed to provide lightweight, high efficiency generation for integration with cars, drones and other vehicles.
100 hours and longer: ARPA-E seeks 5¢/kWh energy storage
The U.S. government’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy is offering up to $30 million in funding to build innovative technologies to enable long-duration energy storage, with the aim to provide reliable electricity from 10 to roughly 100 hours, and longer.
Solar power tax incentives fall almost 50% as installations increase 300%
An analysis by the Department of Energy shows electricity generation from solar growing 32% annually since 2000. Meanwhile, the tax benefits claimed for solar fell from just over $2 billion in 2013 to just over $1 billion in 2016.
Berkeley Lab scientists discover coating to capture near-infrared light
A team of researchers the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has discovered a method of coating particles with organic dye, which can capture near infrared light, a breakthrough which could greatly boost solar cell efficiency by capturing a larger section of the light spectrum.
DOE lashes out at 1366 Technologies
1366 Technologies, “recipient” of an undisbursed $150 million manufacturing loan guarantee, has received an aggressively-worded letter from the U.S. Department of Energy as it seeks a Section 201 exemption.
