Redox flow batteries with fluorescence detection
Argonne National Laboratory researchers have found a way to use fluorescence to monitor the performance of redox flow batteries in real time. They used 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole as a redox-active molecule to store energy in the electrolytes. The molecule works as an energy carrier and signals a problem known as “crossover.”
Total buys 2.2 GW PV project pipeline
French energy group Total’s latest solar acquisition in the United States includes 600 MW of co-located storage assets.
The weekend read: Stepping up storage in the US
The U.S. storage market is booming. But while the solar PV industry has come a long way, with decades of deployment to look back on, battery energy storage is still coming of age. And when things move fast, things can go wrong. At pv magazine’s Virtual Roundtables USA event in late-November 2020, experts raised the challenges that accompany opportunities for battery storage. A move toward greater maturity allows some lessons to be learned from solar – leveling up energy storage will require commitment from the sector with standards, testing, and quality performance.
Wells Fargo to install nearly 100 solar arrays on U.S. properties
The shift in strategy means the bank will move away from using RECs as its primary tool to meet its renewable energy goals.
SunPower launches home monitoring app for solar, storage
The SunPower solar monitoring app draws inspiration for its user interface from unlikely non-energy sources such as Spider-Man.
What role will battery storage have in Biden’s America?
Chip Breitenkamp, of Nanograf, discusses American battery manufacturing, how to ensure a resilient and equitable supply chain, and how to create jobs.
Active self-cleaning tech for PV modules
An international research team has developed a cleaning system for solar panels that combines a vibrating device with the use of hydrophilic curved rungs. The technique is claimed to be able to remove the surface contaminants through the internal flow of vibrating water droplets applied with a pipette onto the module surface and transported, under vibration, to the contaminated parts.
US balance-of-system player Shoals Technologies raises $2 billion in IPO
Shoals Technologies Group and its parent sold 88.5 million shares during the initial public offering in late January.
Boosting bifacial panel efficiency with albedo ground covers: Field test results
Tests by 7X Energy show that ground cover material showed promise, but projects will likely still need to prove the long-term durability, degradation rates, and validation of installation labor and O&M.
Tesla sharpens focus on solar
In an earnings call this week, Tesla CEO Elon Musk boldly claimed that the company will soon be “the market leader in solar.”
