Improving solar inverter design with silicones
Inverters must withstand the high levels of heat generated when operating, otherwise system performance and reliability could be at risk. Cody Schoener of Dow Performance Silicones argues using silicone-based materials for inverters can improve thermal management and fire protection, while offering thermal stability, environmental resistance, electrical isolation and support for operational efficiency.
Cadmium telluride vs. crystalline silicon in agrivoltaics
Canadian researchers investigated how the transparency of cadmium telluride and crystalline silicon solar panels affects lettuce growth in agrivoltaic systems. They found that 69%–transparent silicon panels increased lettuce yield by 3.6%, whereas cadmium telluride panels led to a reduction in yield.
The “Kelley Blue Book” for energy assets could improve circularity in the solar sector
Seattle-based urban mining startup Buckstop uses an AI-powered appraisal model to instantly value end-of-life solar panels.
New standard for U.S. Customs solar supply chain compliance
To help importers vet compliance with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and other supply chain traceability requirements, the Solar Energy Industries Association released the Standard 101, which was recently approved by the American National Standards Institute.
New tech can tell if your EV will make it home
Researchers in California have created a new diagnostic metric that can reportedly predict if a battery can successfully power a specific task. The proposed model could be used in electric vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, and grid storage applications.
Base Power hauls in $1 billion to take its distributed home battery model beyond Texas
The two-year-old power company has deployed more than 100 MWh of residential battery capacity across Texas, pooling thousands of installs in homes into a grid resource. It will now expand the model nationally in the US.
Solar module prices to rise 9% in Q4, says Wood Mackenzie
Wood Mackenzie says module prices will climb as China ends export rebates and consolidates polysilicon production.
Standardized testing for indoor PV
Researchers at Simon Fraser University in Canada have proposed protocols for standardized testing to avoid skewed results. The validated recommendations cover procedures for key measurements and the use of the indoor PV reference cell method.
Operational issues hit returns in one in five battery storage projects, report finds
A recent report from battery intelligence firm Accure reveals that while most battery energy storage systems (BESS) operate reliably, nearly 19% of projects experience reduced returns due to technical issues and unplanned downtime.
Repowering aging U.S. solar farms: A strategic pivot in a changing energy landscape
With one-third of U.S. solar nearing mid-life, developers weigh the economics and challenges of upgrading existing assets over building new ones.
