$28 million more SunShot funding announced
The U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot initiative has announced a $21 million funding package to promote the development of off-the-shelf household solar systems.
Organic photovoltaics on steel
ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe and Solliance (ECN, imec, TNO, Holst Cenre, TU/e, Forschungszentrum Jülich) are coming together for a joint research program on organic PV.
Training network for PV researchers
A new EU consortium will develop a training network for PV researchers. The KESTCELLS project as it is called has a total budget of over 3.7 million. The aim is to increase European competitiveness of existing technologies.
Australia: funding released for PV research
The Australian federal government has released a new round of funding for “early and mid career” photovoltaic researchers. The funding is a part of the governments “Skills Development Program.”
Renewable energy the cheapest option for off-grid power
An influential lobby group, which counts energy policymakers of 102 governments plus the E.U. among its members, has produced a costing analysis that concludes renewable energy should be the default option for providing electricity to the millions of people in the world without grid access.
UK: Renewables eliminate need for nuclear power
According to a new report, the “explosive” growth of photovoltaics in the U.K., and the related falling costs, mean the market for nuclear is disappearing. Combined with “stiff competition” from other renewables, the case for investing in nuclear is shaky at best.
CPV system prices to decline 16% annually to 2016
Concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) cost reductions and “major” technological advancements will see global installations rising to almost 1.2 GW by 2012, states IMS Research.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania should bank on solar new report
A report commissioned by trade associations representing more than 100 solar companies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania has, perhaps not surprisingly, extolled the benefits of photovoltaics over conventional electricity generation.
PV sweeps German environmental prizes
Andreas Bett from Fraunhofer ISE and Hansjörg Lerchenmüller from Soitec Solar have been awarded the German Environmental Award 2012. SMA Solar Technology’s Günther Cramer is another recipient of this year’s prize.
Fraunhofer plans to chart solar cell achievements
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) has made plans to release a so-called Fraunhofer ISE PV Charts where manufacturers can enter their cells, coupled with designs and performance.
