University of Rochester scientists say they have improved photoresponsivity in solar perovskite by 250%. They’ve done this by heavily reducing electron recombination processes in lead-halide perovskites used for solar cells. This invariably impacts open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, fill factor, and power conversion efficiency.
Given that energy storage is getting more attention as a way to boost energy supply, grid operators and stakeholders are seeking ways to develop a revenue model for storage as a transmission asset. Creating this new model is the next challenge. This article looks at questions around compensation, the role of utilities, CA as a case study, FERC’s role and more.
Solar Builder gives us 5 key insights from Intersolar NA this year: 1) key tech updates are making installs and O&M easier, 2) microinverter options are now plentiful, 3) demand has driven solar trackers to have higher and higher “terrain-following” tolerances, 4) certain key software are gamechangers, and 5) energy storage solutions are building out underserved categories.
An interesting – and quite popular – podcast series is Watt it Takes hosted by Powerhouse Ventures (startup seed investor) Founder Emily Kirsch. The series interviews founders of clean energy and mobility solutions about their trials and tribulations and professional breakthroughs. Recently featured companies include RaptorMaps, Terabase, and Nth Cycle.
25.4 GW of solar is under active construction in the US right now, according to the latest report from the EIA. This is adding to the existing 107.5 GW of solar on the grid. Small-scale projects of 1 MW or less total about 39.5 GW, while utility-scale projects above that amount are nearly 68 GW – with 366 utility-scale projects actively being built across the country.
SPW covers the line up of mounting companies at the recent Intersolar NA, noting that the general trend is towards pitched roof mounts moving to pre-applied adhesives like butyl in the wake of an industry-wide transition to smaller profile, top-mounted attachments. The article looks at SnapNrack’s TopSpeed, SolarPod’s Z-Rack, Pegasus Solar’s Tilt Leg, and IronRidge’s Halo UltraGrip.
In this SunCast/SolarAcademy solar conversation, solar industry veterans Jon Bonanno & Kerim Baran talk to Scott Graybeal, CEO of Caelux, about the amazing innovation that Caelux’s perovskite technology is bringing to the solar PV panel manufacturers and its multiplier effect not only in energy production but also on the return on capital of solar assets. REC-backed Caelux applies its perovskite technology onto the glass which goes onto solar panels, and as a result, increases each module’s production efficiency by approximately 20-30% (from 23% yield to closer to 29% yield). In this conversation, Scott shared details about Caelux’s unique technology and value proposition, as well as their global marketing and manufacturing strategy. The video is below.
