Agrivoltaic shading, full-sun fields gives farmers the power to pivot
Research conducted at the oldest agrivoltaic research site in the United States found year-to-year weather variability impacts agrivoltaic crop production, emphasizing the importance in conducting studies across multiple years.
NREL, CubicPV achieves 24% efficiency for perovskite mini solar module
A U.S.-based collaboration between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and CubicPV has yielded a perovskite minimodule with certified efficiency of 24.0%. The two noted that it is the first time a U.S. effort has set a record in the perovskite mini module category.
No photon left behind: NREL develops translucent solar panels for bigger, better crops
Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory grew tomatoes under translucent solar panels, which could play a promising role in agrivoltaics.
Solar grazing undergoing rapid growth, census finds
The scale of livestock grazing in agrivoltaic installations is much larger than previously understood, found the first solar grazing census by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the American Solar Grazing Association.
Understanding P50, P90 and P99 in solar energy
A review of using statistical probability to understand solar production outcomes.
National Renewable Energy Lab announces layoffs
A statement released by NREL calls the layoffs an “involuntary separation,” thanks the employees for their work and acknowledges that the mission is critical to achieving “an affordable and secure energy future.”
Inverted perovskite solar cell based on ionic salt achieves 26% efficiency
An international team led by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has used ionic salt for the electron transport layer of a perovskite solar cell to improve device stability and performance. Test results showed a 26% power conversion efficiency with 2% degradation after 2,100 hours of 1-sun operation at 65 C.
Field survey protocol for monitoring PV backsheet degradation
A research group including scientists from U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Underwriter’s Laboratories Inc., and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has outlined a new protocol for assessing PV module backsheet degradation in the field. Through the proposed framework, the researchers analyzed PV backsheet degradation across 41 sites, with exposure times ranging from 1 to 38 years.
Breaking the U.S. interconnection logjam
Experts at Intersolar & Energy Storage North America 2025 highlight key reforms to accelerate interconnection and reduce project delays.
Sunrise brief: Just a fraction of federal land could power carbon-free future
Also on the rise: Wholesale electricity prices lower and more stable in 2024. Energy Department announces $22.92 billion in loans to upgrade transmission. And more.
