Single crystal perovskite solar cell with 17.8% efficiency
The solar cell was manufactured with crystals that were grown directly onto indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates covered with hole transport layer (HTL). These substrates have a controlled thickness of tens of micrometers and area of tens of mm2. The device showed an efficiency of 17.8%, a short-circuit current of 21.0 mA cm−2, an open-circuit voltage to 1.08 V, and a fill factor to 78.6%.
Debate over US solar safeguards starting to heat up
The governments of Mexico, Malaysia, and Turkey – along with the Solar Energy Industries Association, NextEra Energy Resources, REC Americas, and other companies – are chiming in to have a say in a recently reignited debate in the U.S. solar market.
Cheapest long-duration storage for systems with high renewables
National Renewable Energy Laboratory researchers have studied which tech offers the lowest levelized cost of energy to provide the US Western Interconnection grid with electricity when wind and solar are not available. They assumed 85% renewables penetration and determined that geologic hydrogen storage and natural gas combined-cycle plants with carbon capture storage are the cheapest options for 120-hour discharge applications.
US company using 3D printers to make solid-state battery tech for EVs
California-based Sakuú Corp. has started work on a 2.5 MWh per year pilot facility to produce 3D-printed solid-state battery tech.
Gravity-based renewable energy storage tower for grid-scale operations
Energy Vault secured $100 million in Series C funding for its EVx tower, which stores gravitational potential energy for grid dispatch.
Transatlantic silicon battery tie-up promises ready-to-use EV products
Slovakian business InoBat will use the patented silicon battery material manufactured by U.S. company Group14 Tech to offer bespoke products for the world’s biggest carmakers.
Blackouts and high utility prices are driving solar and storage adoption in the US, SunPower survey says
The survey of 1,500 homeowners shed light on the home solar energy experience and motivating factors behind solar purchases.
Venture capital support for solar blossomed during the first half
The $800 million of private backing secured by Californian residential solar finance business GoodLeap helped the sector achieve VC and private equity funding of $1.6 billion in the first six months of the year, up from just $210 million a year earlier.
Bullish clean energy stocks helped maintain healthy investment levels
The latest renewables investment report produced by analyst BloombergNEF has noted backing for solar projects continued to rise in the first half as wind power investment fell back.
McDonald’s, eBay sign up to purchase solar from 345 MW US project
The two companies have signed on to purchase shares of the energy generated by Lightsource bp’s upcoming 345 MW Ventress Solar project.
