Sunrise brief: Solar panels: Larger, thinner… and weaker?
Also on the rise: TOPCon risks. Positive early results from first test of perovskite tandem solar cells in space.
Positive early results from first test of perovskite tandem solar cells in space
The perovskite-silicon and thin-film tandem solar cells were developed by Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and placed on an OOV-Cube small satellite to test their reactions to high levels of radiation—and whether “soft” perovskite solar cells can heal after taking on radiation damage.
‘TOPCon technology comes with three or four relevant risks that should be known’
The results of this year’s Kiwa PVEL scorecard show that TOPCon technology is more vulnerable than PERC, and the failure rate at BOM level has increased to 41%, the highest in history, according to the testing lab.
Solar panels: Larger, thinner… and weaker?
With hailstorms in the United States and Australia severely damaging solar arrays – including “golf-ball sized” hail at the 350 MW Fighting Jays project in Texas in March 2024 – insurers are raising premiums and reducing or canceling hail coverage. Everoze Partner Simon Mason discusses the challenges the industry faces in minimizing its hail risk exposure.
Sunrise brief: Crux announces over $3.1 billion in tax credits transferred
Also on the rise: Sunrun and New York utility embark on residential virtual power plant. U.S. solar factories: From announcements to reality. And more.
Sunrun and New York utility embark on residential virtual power plant
In coordination with Orange and Rockland Utilities, the VPP program makes 300 solar-plus-storage systems available for grid stability.
U.S. solar factories: From announcements to reality
Now that incentives from the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are well understood, global manufacturers are announcing factories in the United States to constitute much of the solar supply chain. While some plans have been scrapped already, and more cancellations are expected, the broader trend is unprecedented growth.
Tribal fund will support predevelopment costs for 2 GW to 6 GW of solar on tribal lands
A tribal clean energy fund has raised $30 million to fund predevelopment costs for solar projects on tribal lands. Meeting predevelopment milestones will enable tribal communities to apply for federal loan support to complete the projects.
Powering adventure with solar
The allure of the open road is strong in the United States, where highways can snake through breathtaking landscapes. Recreational vehicles (RVs) make adventuring easy but powering portable homes with diesel generators is a poor solution for today’s travelers. Briter Products President Avanti Lalwani tells pv magazine how her company is putting solar on wheels.
Over $3.1 billion in tax credits for solar, storage, and hybrid projects transferred
Crux’s latest Q3 2024 market update reveals large project tax credit premiums, with significant volumes from energy storage and hybrid solar power plants – and even nuclear power in the mix.
