Funding opportunity of $6.5 million announced for innovative solar projects
The Department of Energy and Solar Energy Technologies Office is seeking more novel ideas rather than those based on established technologies, with the intent of the funding being to deploy solar technologies that will support the transition to a decarbonized electricity system by 2035 and energy sector by 2050.
U.S. scientists improve photoresponsivity in solar perovskite by 250%
Researchers led by the University of Rochester claim to have increased the photoresponsivity of a lead-halide perovskite for solar cell applications by 250%. They created a perovskite film with a plasmonic substrate made of hyperbolic metamaterial and characterized it with transition dipole orientation.
Flexible cadmium telluride solar cell with 12.6% efficiency via lift-off method
A U.S. research team has developed a cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cell through a lift-off method that reportedly ensures higher crystallinity of the cadmium sulfide film. The device has a power conversion efficiency of 12.60%, an open-circuit voltage of 0.829 V, a short-circuit current density of 23.64 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 64.30%.
American-Made Solar Prize round 6 semifinalists announced
The semifinalists will each receive $50,000 in cash, plus two teams were awarded a $25,000 bonus cash prize for their participation in the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) contest, which seeks solutions that enable underserved communities to overcome systemic barriers to solar deployment.
TOPCon solar cell achieves 24.2% efficiency via new plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition tech
A team of international researchers has simplified the deposition of thin film layers in the commercial production of TOPCon solar cells. Via a tube-type industrial plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition (PEALD) technique, they were able to achieve a power conversion efficiency of 22.8% in a 60-cell, 613 W TOPCon module.
Sunrise brief: Americans beginning to correlate extreme weather with a climate crises, but purse strings are still tight
Also on the rise: Solar panels power the James Webb telescope. Tennessee Valley Authority seeks 5 GW of carbon-free energy. And more.
Sunrise brief: LA could soon be home to the nation’s largest green hydrogen infrastructure system
Also on the rise: Soltage invests in new community solar projects. Appalachian Power seeks 150MW of solar in West Virginia. Breaking research reveals solar cells can be used as lens-free, high-speed optical detectors in underwater environments. Duke looking for 1.1GW of renewables in Indiana. Community solar project in Virginia launches 25% renewable energy option for a small premium. Convergent’s battery storage facility is up and running in the LA Basin.
Paired with “wonder material,” over 21% efficiency demonstrated in perovskite solar cells
The use of phosphorene nanoribbons boosted the cell, putting it on par with traditional silicon cell output levels.
14 industry heavyweights beg Congress not to slash research (Letter attached)
President Donald J. Trump has proposed devastating cuts to the Department of Energy and its related research arms. Leaders from multiple industries – including names you’ll know – are begging Congress not to implement them.
DOE announces $107 million in funding for solar technologies
$42 million has been awarded to 40 projects with a range of applications, with another $65 million in funding planned for upcoming R&D projects.
