In case you missed it: Six big solar stories in the news this week
pv magazine USA spotlights news of the past week including market trends, project updates, policy changes and more.
U.S. grid-scale storage leaps 63%, residential storage 132%
The utility-scale energy storage sector added 4.9 GW in Q2, representing 63% year-on-year growth, while residential storage increased by 608 MW, said a report from American Clean Power Association and Wood Mackenzie.
Domestic content, TPO-readiness take center stage at RE+ 2025 solar and storage trade show
Booths across the show floor in Las Vegas, Nevada touted the occupants’ onshoring bona fides.
Solar pricing needs a reality check
Sustainable projects depend on prices — and suppliers — that hold up under compliance, delivery and long-term performance requirements.
Scientists break Shockley-Queisser efficiency limit for silicon solar cell in experiment
A Chinese-US research group claims to have achieved a power conversion efficiency of over 50% in an n-type single-junction solar cell by inhibiting light conversion to heat at extremely low temperatures. The result was achieved at temperatures of 30-50 Kelvin, which are a few tens of degrees above absolute zero.
Silver price surge drives PV makers to cut silver usage further
The price of silver rose above $44 per ounce this week after gaining more than 30% in six months, with silver expert Philip Newman telling pv magazine it could exceed $50 per ounce next year, raising pressure on PV module makers to curb silver use.
Peak Energy announces operation of first large-scale sodium ion battery in U.S.
Denver-based Peak Energy claims its sodium-ion battery system offers the lowest operating cost of any energy storage technology on the market today.
RFP alert: Georgia Power seeks 500 MW of energy storage
The energy storage must be able to discharge for at least two hours, and may be standalone or paired with a renewable resource.
Ford Lightning electric truck batteries power Maryland’s electric grid
Residential solar company Sunrun is operating the first vehicle-to-grid program in the United States, running a distributed energy power plant via coordinated energy dispatch from Ford Lightning truck owners.
Bankrupt residential solar loan provider Mosaic to be acquired
Solar Servicing LLC, the acquirer, said there are no plans to originate new solar loans, but for loans that were partially funded as of the bankruptcy filing, a team will support system installers and loan owners as they work towards a resolution.
