US will see more than 8 GW of solar come online this year
With 4.3 GW of utility-scale solar and 3.9 of distributed generation predicted, the figures collated from federal sources don’t take account of the huge capacity of solar projects waiting in the interconnection queues of seven grid operators.
University of Texas develops new solar system integrating energy generation and storage
Researchers at the University of Texas have been awarded $3 million by the Texan Department of Energy in a bid to accelerate research in battery storage technology to overcome the “Achilles heel” of solar power
US regulators open markets to energy storage
As the conclusion of a 15-month rule-making, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will require grid operators to value the contributions of energy storage, and begins a process to look at how aggregated distributed energy resources can compete in wholesale markets.
Mission Solar to double US solar module manufacturing
The expansion to 400 MW will make Mission the fourth-largest PV module maker in the U.S.
NREL scientists observe perovskite degradation at nano-scale
A team from the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has developed a novel microscopic technique, which enables them to observe degradation in perovskite materials at the nano-scale, and pinpoint key areas for attention in their efforts to improve the stability and durability of the material.
Seasonal patterns show a need for more solar in the U.S. electricity mix
An abundance of hydroelectric power and wind is pushing up renewable energy in the spring months, but there is a need for more power during the summer peak, as well as issues with the geographic location of resources.
Utilities are increasingly planning for energy storage (w/ charts)
GTM Research reports that utilities in 15 states are incorporating energy storage into their long-term plans, as energy storage deployment reached a relatively even keel during Q3 2017.
U.S. researchers develop new method for solar desalination
A team of researchers from Rice University in Houston, Texas has developed a new method for using solar power to desalinate sea water. Part of a federally funded research effort into water treatment , the team has developed a system utilizing a combination of membrane distillation and nanophotonics to turn salt water into fresh drinking water.
Solar, wind meet more than 10% of U.S. electric demand in March
This is the first time that U.S. wind and solar have met more than 10% of demand in a single month; however individual states led by California and Iowa have reached much higher penetrations.
U.S.: Vistra to build Texas’ largest solar plant
The power company has bought the 180 MW Upton County Solar 2 project in West Texas, and signed a contract to have the project built.
