On Feb 25 Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm was confirmed by the Senate to lead the DOE by a 64-35 vote. She was cheered on by SEIA as a “long-time clean energy champion and a tremendous leader” and ESA as a supporter of storage innovation, manufacturing, and deployment.
PV solar cells contain lead, and when damaged lead ions can leak. Two Brits have created a way to stem this lead release using hydroxyapatite to trap the ions in an inorganic matrix when damage occurs. This hydroxyapatite also increases cell efficiency to 21% (v.s 18%).
BayWa has a series on digital marketing. This webinar digs into trends around calls-to-action, optimizing for Project Sunroof leads, strategizing around Google searches, the latest on SolarReviews ranking and strategy, and handling live chats around customer service.
Three wire tips for installers: save time by doing wire management assembly on the ground, don’t cross-mate connector products (which don’t get certified) cause it’s very dangerous, and use best practices like appropriate bend radius, routing/tucking on install, and high-quality cable ties.
Elected officials and biz and nonprofit community leaders created the “America Is All In” coalition to work with the fed govt to fight climate change (spun off a Trump-era coalition). They pledged to cut carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
The world needs $14 trillion in investments in the grid (in areas like sensors, automation and digitalization) to keep up with evolutions in the power system. Otherwise, progress will slow as the grid gets backed up due to increases in electricity demand and more deployment of wind and solar.
KiloVault’s third version of the HAB wall-mount lithium-iron battery series offers 7.5 kWh of storage, increased ventilation and the option to swap vents for outdoor-friendly plates, a new wiring panel for easier servicing, and larger integrated lift handles for easier mounting.
EnergySage makes predictions for 2021: solar prices will keep dropping due to digitization, fast sales growth and inexpensive access to capital will fuel growth, there will be more solar+ offerings and more efficient and higher wattage panels, and supportive policy shifts will occur via Biden.
CA is recovering costs due to high electricity rates in a way that is burdening lower-income customers. Report recommends remedying this by cutting back on volumetric per-kW-hour charges on electricity bills and making up for the loss through constructs linked to customer income.
NREL looked at battery recycling in the US where there is only one lithium-ion battery recycling facility. Recycling would stabilize the supply chain and boost the market. Barriers to recycling are tech, infrastructure, and processes, which could be helped with better regulation.