High-voltage mini solar panel converts laser light into electricity
Scientists developed a monocrystalline solar panel relying on “minicells” based on polysilicon on silicon oxide passivating contacts. The module works with laser light and can reportedly achieve a photoconversion efficiency of over 40% and an open-circuit voltage of 7 V.
Perovskites show 93% bifaciality
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory demonstrated highly bifacial perovskite cells with a front side efficiency of 23%.
Former coal plant to house 100-hour iron-air battery
Minnesota’s public utilities commission approves Form Energy’s 10 MW/1 GWh iron-air long-duration energy storage facility construction project for Xcel Energy.
Sunrise brief: How California employers can reimburse EV drivers for charging at home
Also on the rise: A new public utility for Maine would speed clean energy, say advocates. Utility ordered to repay customers for illegal community solar metering. And more.
U.S. national labs evaluate potential for floating solar in Southeast Asia
The labs assessed the technical potential for floating PV and underlined its co-benefits in environmental protection and food security.
Ballasted racking from PowerField Energy scales up to utility-scale installation
PowerRack is PowerField’s portable, ballasted racking system that is used in residential, commercial, industrial, and now utility-scale solar.
Sunrise brief: Clean energy jobs outpace the overall market
Also on the rise: Beef cattle agrivoltaics on an Oregon family ranch. 10 best practices for building trust when developing solar projects. And more.
NREL study builds framework to accommodate EV-charging infrastructure
A multi-state electric vehicle charging network meant to cater to the more than 42 million EVs projected to hit the road by 2030.
Roof-integrated solar takes 44% less time to install on new construction
A time-motion study by NREL discovered that retrofitting installations of roof-integrated photovoltaics takes 7% less labor time than standard solar installations. For new construction, the installation time drops by 44%.
Sunrise brief: How your state can fix interconnection of distributed solar and storage
Also on the rise: Savant Systems releases 18.5 kWh home battery. Mycrogrid Materials solar recycling coming to California. And more.
