World

Bert Thin Films, a University of Louisville research-backed startup, is developing a copper-based paste that may replace silver components in solar panels.

The US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon has trained over 25,000 students from 40 countries, supported 790 teams, and expanded to include both residential and commercial design and build challenges.

The Iron Point and Hot Pot solar-plus-storage projects will be constructed by Primergy Solar and sold to NV Energy upon completion, under a Build Transfer Agreement.

Growatt’s new AXE LV battery covers a wide range of capacities, from 5kWh to 400kWh, and can support off-grid systems with power outputs of 3kW to 30kW.

A 100kW/1.5MWh zinc-air battery will be installed in Queens, New York, in combination with a combined heat and power system and a PV array. The pilot project is intended at demonstrating the long-duration energy storage capability of the zinc-air battery.

Also on the rise: Verizon and Leeward Energy sign two PPAs totalling 360 MW. Researchers suggest that six terrawatt hours of energy storage would bring US to net zero. Duke Energy launches grid resilience testing with ‘Bring Your Own Battery’ program.

Net Energy Metering (NEM) 3.0 is expected to crush rooftop solar as proposed. In an Environmental Working Group (EWG) webinar, experts debunked NEM’s assumptions, forecast the damage the proposal would cause to California’s environment and communities. The group issued a call Governor Newsom to shut down the proposal, which many are calling a “tax on the sun”.

Part of a larger portfolio that also includes two wind projects, the solar installations have a combined capacity of 360 MW.

Researchers suggest that by 2050, in a setting where 94% of our electricity comes from renewable sources, approximately 930 GW of energy storage power and six and a half hours of capacity would fully cover the United States’ demand for electricity.

Duke is working with Sunrun, Generac, SolarEdge, and Virtual Peaker to offer existing residential customers the opportunity to participate in the study.