NREL interactive chart of solar cell efficiency now including ‘hybrid tandems’
The new cell category includes perovskite/silicon, perovskite/CIGS, III-V/silicon and perovskite/organic tandem PV devices. It will list the absolute record efficiency for all-perovskite, two-terminal tandems regardless of the number of junctions.
Climate change to drive value of rooftop solar
University of Michigan researchers have found that the value of rooftop solar will increase by between 5% and 15% by the mid-century across a range of US cities under moderate climate change, and by up to 20% by the end of the century.
First Solar beats Q1 revenue expectations
US-based First Solar recorded $794 million of revenue in the first quarter, beating consensus estimates by about 10%.
Voltaic Systems unveils battery monitoring system for offgrid PV applications
The U.S.-based PV system provider for infrastructure and industrial equipment without grid access has launched a battery health monitoring software module for its flagship Core Solar Power Systems product line.
Microsoft announces largest corporate procurement of renewables
Microsoft has signed on for 10.5 GW of renewable energy with Brookfield Renewable Partners. The projects might cost more than $11.5 billion to build, according to BloombergNEF.
Briggs & Stratton releases 6.6 kWh stackable home battery
The 3.33 kW / 6.65 kWh lithium-ferro-phosphate battery offers home backup and storage of rooftop solar generation.
California crosses 10 GW battery storage threshold
California is adding massive amounts of battery energy storage and the project pipeline shows no sign of slowing down. Batteries are playing an increasingly dominant role on the grid, soaking up solar in the middle of the day and shifting it to the evening peak, where they have become the biggest single supplier.
Novel PV-driven desalination tech achieves lower levelized cost of water
Scientists led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have designed a new PV-powered desalination system based on the time-variant electrodialysis reversal (EDR) technology. The proposed system reportedly achieves lower levelized cost of water than conventional solar-powered desalination techs.
Floating photovoltaics may significantly reduce water evaporation at Aswan dam
The Aswan High Dam Reservoir is one of the world’s largest water reservoir and suffers from high water evaporation rates due to the region’s very hot and dry climate. Floating PV installations may be a remedy, while also offering a good match for hydropower generation.
The Hydrogen Stream: 1.2 TW of electrolyzers globally in development
Aurora Energy Research says it has recorded a sharp increase in green hydrogen projects, with 90% of them in early phases of development, while E.ON says that Germany’s hydrogen ramp-up is stuck due to an investment backlog.
