NREL: Online shopping brings cheaper solar & batteries
The DOE’s national lab estimates that by using “quote platforms” rather than dealing directly with installers, homeowners can save $1,000-$2,000 on a typical 5 kW rooftop PV system.
Do these solar cells make me look fat?
NREL researchers explore power-to-weight ratios in thin film solar pv products, looking at premium price ($1.25-$100/W) gigawatt scale niches not directly competing with crystalline silicon solar modules.
pvMB 1/17/19: SEIA splashes with new promotions, Vermont’s largest solar parking lot and more
In today’s issue of the pvMB we take a look at NREL & CESA’s report on designing community solar for low & moderate income customers, Stem Inc’s BloomberNEF interview on solar+storage+AI, the first lithium-ion solar boat to be Coast Guard-certified and more action-packed solar news.
Six paths to 100% renewables for Los Angeles
Added transmission, varying levels of distributed generation, and increasing levels of “load modernization” are all under consideration in an NREL study. The results could illuminate paths for California and other states to reach 100% zero-carbon or renewable energy targets.
A little bit of grid data goes a long solar power way
NREL has found that pre-applications for systems 500 kWAC and greater in Massachusetts were correlated with a 24% increase in interconnection service agreements approved – although complexities make proof of causation difficult.
Utility scale solar power plus lithium ion storage cost breakdown
NREL has released an inaugural report highlighting utility scale energy storage costs with various methods of tying it to solar power: co-located or not, and DC- vs AC-coupled.
Floating PV technical potential is 10% of U.S. generation
While a national lab report on floating PV did not estimate its economic potential, the report suggests the most promising markets could be reservoirs in areas with high land costs for ground-mounted solar, and reservoirs with grid-connected hydropower or high evaporation rates.
Higher module efficiencies and inverters driving solar power cost declines
NREL’s Q1 2018 cost report for solar power systems saw a 5% drop in residential costs and a 2.6% fall in commercial, but a 1-2% increase in the utility scale space compared to the previous year.
Not for lack of ideas: an interview with NREL’s Dr. Peter Green
In this interview pv magazine talks with the chief research officer at the United States’ foremost clean energy laboratory about the work that NREL has been doing, and what to expect for the future of electricity and transportation.
U.S. utilities test distributed energy management
Distributed energy management systems can capture added value from solar and storage by shaving peak loads, providing grid services, and deferring grid investments. Utilities testing such systems have shared their lessons learned, while Western Australia leapfrogs ahead.
