Utility shortcuts on residential solar applications contribute to delays, researchers find
Researchers aimed to find better screening shortcuts that could fast-track more residential solar, while meeting utility concerns. Of nine utilities surveyed, three rely on smart inverters to integrate residential solar, an approach that has expedited interconnection in Hawaii.
Canada set to hit 5 GW milestone
Canada is set to install 500 MW of new solar in 2022, bringing its total capacity to about 5 GW, according to data from Canmet Energy. The country is expected to hit 35 GW of total solar capacity by 2050.
Sunrise brief: Off-grid solar plus storage EV chargers to be deployed by Puerto Rico government
Also on the rise: Canadian Solar reports strong quarterly results. Virtual power plant provider raises $120 million. And more.
NREL updates interactive chart of solar cell efficiency
The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has released a new, interactive version of its research cell efficiency chart for a range of PV technologies.
Sunrise brief: Intersect Power orders 4.9 GW of First Solar modules
Also on the rise: Database of North American lithium-ion suppliers. Solar sidewalk pilot project in Tampa. And more.
Solar windows cut emissions and energy use by 40% in glass skyscrapers
Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory modeled the benefits of PV in highly glazed skyscrapers.
Lithium-ion database of North American supply chain from raw materials through battery packs
In the quest to strengthen U.S. competitiveness in lithium battery innovation and manufacturing, the NAATBatt Lithium-Ion (li-ion) Battery Supply Chain Database lists North American companies across the lithium-ion supply chain.
All-perovskite tandem solar cell with 27.4% efficiency, high voltage
A U.S.-Canadian research group has built an all-perovskite tandem solar device with a record-breaking open-circuit voltage of 2.19 eV, which they achieved by reducing recombination at the electron transport layer.
Tackling soft costs and crossing “The Chasm” in U.S. residential solar adoption
U.S. residential solar demand is expected to ride a 10% compound annual growth rate, adding $6 billion in incremental growth by 2025, said Technavio. But soft costs like customer acquisitions remain relatively high compared to other solar markets across the globe.
Visualizing the remarkable progress of solar energy
The last decade laid the foundation for solar to be a major energy source going forward. What will the next decade have in store?
