Solar News From Solar Daily - 24/7 News Coverage of the Solar Energy Industry

Momentus and Ascent Solar Technologies announce new solar array partnership
19 Apr 2024 at 3:51pm
Momentus by Clarence Oxford Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 18, 2024 Momentus Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTS) and Ascent Solar Technologies (Nasdaq: ASTI) has unveiled their partnership aimed at jointly marketing innovative solar arrays that integrate Momentus's low-cost Tape Spring Solar Array (TASSA) technology and Ascent's advanced, flexible photovoltaic modules. The surge in satellite production and deployment

Quantum material achieves up to 190% efficiency in solar cells
19 Apr 2024 at 3:51pm
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 17, 2024 Researchers from Lehigh University have developed a material that significantly enhances the efficiency of solar panels. A prototype incorporating this material as the active layer in a solar cell displays an average photovoltaic absorption rate of 80%, a high rate of photoexcited carrier generation, and an external quantum efficiency (EQE) reaching up to 190%. This figure surpasses the th

Research suggests new lithium source in pyrite
19 Apr 2024 at 3:51pm
Madrid, Spain (SPX) Apr 19, 2024 Lithium, known for its reactivity and essential role in lithium-ion batteries, is critical for sustainable energy technologies like electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems. Given the surge in lithium demand, researchers are looking into less conventional sources beyond the primary ones such as pegmatites and volcanic clays. A promising avenue is being explored by a team from

New Layered Perovskite Structure Explored for Enhanced Optical Properties
19 Apr 2024 at 3:51pm
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Apr 19, 2024 Perovskites are critically important in the field of materials science due to their distinct and varied properties arising from their unique crystal structure. These properties have potential revolutionary applications in advanced technology areas. A method to harness these properties involves precise manipulation of defects within the perovskite structure, such as missing atoms or substituting

Solar energy adoption challenges in rural Ethiopia
19 Apr 2024 at 3:51pm
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 19, 2024 Despite decreasing costs and increasing accessibility of solar home systems, significant obstacles hinder their widespread use in remote areas of developing countries, such as Ethiopia, where they could greatly improve health and education. Inexpensive, yet uncertified and inferior solar panels, along with limited government engagement in rural energy transition, impede access to dependabl

USTC team enhances air-processed perovskite solar cells with new stabilizer
19 Apr 2024 at 3:51pm
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Apr 19, 2024 Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), led by Prof. XU Jixian, have developed a novel stabilizer, dimethylammonium formate (DMAFo), for air-processed p-i-n perovskite solar cells. This innovation significantly inhibits the oxidation of iodide ions and the deprotonation of organic cations, as detailed in their recent publication in Nature Energy. The power

The role of Floating Solar in achieving Africa's energy targets as an alternative to dams
19 Apr 2024 at 3:51pm
Madrid, Spain (SPX) Apr 19, 2024 Researchers from Politecnico di Milano have identified floating solar photovoltaics (FPV) as a viable alternative to traditional hydropower in meeting Africa's energy goals, according to a new study published in Nature Energy. The study shows that FPV installed at existing major reservoirs could generate 20-100% of the electricity projected from planned hydropower dams across Africa. The r

Addressing the dangers of lead pollution from solar power batteries in Africa
19 Apr 2024 at 3:51pm
London, UK (SPX) Apr 19, 2024 A study conducted by The University of Manchester highlights significant health and environmental risks from the informal recycling of lead-acid batteries used in off-grid solar systems in Malawi. These batteries are essential for providing electricity in regions without traditional power grids, a crucial step towards broader electricity access across sub-Saharan Africa. Researchers noted

Project receives funding for advanced solar-thermal research
19 Apr 2024 at 3:51pm
London, UK (SPX) Apr 12, 2024 The University of Surrey, leading a collaboration with the University of Bristol and Northumbria University, has received a GBP 1.1 million grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to develop solar-thermal devices. These devices aim to revolutionize the way we heat homes and generate power, differing from traditional solar cells by converting sunlight into heat f

Improving Solar and Wind Power Integration in the U.S. Grid
19 Apr 2024 at 3:51pm
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 11, 2024 The Midcontinent Independent System Operator manages a high-voltage electricity network spanning from Manitoba to Louisiana, serving 45 million users. This vast operation requires maintaining a balance between the energy generated and the demand across its regions. The traditional reliance on coal and natural gas power plants is changing. For example, wind farms in Iowa now generate over 6

New four-terminal tandem organic solar cell achieves 16,94% power conversion efficiency
19 Apr 2024 at 3:51pm
Paris, France (SPX) Apr 09, 2024 Researchers at ICFO have fabricated a new four-terminal organic solar cell with a tandem configuration with a 16.94% power conversion efficiency (PCE). The new device is composed by a highly transparent front cell that incorporates a transparent ultrathin silver (Ag) electrode of only 7nm, which ensures its efficient operation. Two-terminal tandem organic solar cells (OSCs) represent one o

Skydweller Aero conducts first solar-powered autonomous flight in the US
19 Apr 2024 at 3:51pm
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 05, 2024 In a pioneering advancement for the aerospace industry, Skydweller Aero successfully completed the inaugural autonomous flight of a large-scale, solar-powered aircraft, boasting a wingspan exceeding that of a 747, with no carbon emissions. The groundbreaking flight, which involved takeoff, cruising, and landing entirely autonomously at Stennis International Airport in the U.S., marks a significa


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Solar Energy News, Analysis, Education

Global Renewable Energy Capacity Surging to New Heights
21 Jul 2023 at 12:53pm
by Ryan Regan
Russia’s prolonged war in Ukraine roiled global energy markets, forcing fossil fuel prices up, and helped cement energy security as a dominant policy area focus in Europe and beyond. These trends and the continued price competitiveness of renewable energy are combining to boost global solar and wind capacity to historic heights. IEA Report Outlines Record […] The post Global Renewable Energy Capacity Surging to New Heights appeared first on Solar Tribune.

Texas Emerges as Solar’s Latest Hotspot As Legislative Threats Emerge
16 May 2023 at 1:51pm
by Ryan Regan
California has long been the state where the solar industry has shined the brightest across residential, commercial, and utility-scale markets. That fact largely remains true today, but Texas is emerging as an ascendant solar energy powerhouse that is poised to give a major lift to national renewable energy generation goals. Texas Solar Capacity Hits Peak […] The post Texas Emerges as Solar’s Latest Hotspot As Legislative Threats Emerge appeared first on Solar Tribune.

Solar Manufacturing Growth Picks up in U.S.
6 Feb 2023 at 7:04pm
by Ryan Regan
Manufacturers of solar panels, inverters, and related solar energy components have overwhelmingly been based in China over recent decades as few countries around the World could compete with China’s combined natural resource and low-cost manufacturing advantages. While China’s supply chain stranglehold is likely to persistent for some time, recently announced investments by solar manufacturers in […] The post Solar Manufacturing Growth Picks up in U.S. appeared first on Solar Tribune.

Floating Solar Panels Sail Forward
7 Dec 2022 at 3:43am
by Ryan Regan
As solar energy has become more mainstream, solar panels have found their way onto more and more unique places, from theme parks to airports to old landfill sites. Floating solar panels offer an even more creative use for solar that fundamentally alters conventional assumptions about solar generation opportunities. How Do They Work? Solar panels themselves […] The post Floating Solar Panels Sail Forward appeared first on Solar Tribune.

NIMBYism Threatens to Stymie Solar Progress
27 Oct 2022 at 5:32pm
by Ryan Regan
The solar industry has arguably never been in a better position in the wake of the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). A rise in NIMBY-inspired land-use policies, however, is threatening to disrupt some of that optimism. A Worrying Trend The passage of the IRA is a seminal moment for the solar industry that […] The post NIMBYism Threatens to Stymie Solar Progress appeared first on Solar Tribune.

IRA Passage Ushers in New Era of Stability for Solar Industry
13 Sep 2022 at 5:50pm
by Ryan Regan
It only took Congress 34 years, but a federal law to meaningfully address the harmful effects of climate change – the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) – finally passed the body and was signed into law by the President just weeks ago. The first congressional hearings on climate change were held way back in 1988, and […] The post IRA Passage Ushers in New Era of Stability for Solar Industry appeared first on Solar Tribune.

Global Heat Wave Puts Solar Panels to the Test
2 Aug 2022 at 5:27pm
by Ryan Regan
July was a scorcher of a month, with many countries and prominent cities across the world experiencing record-breaking temps. You may think that this was good news for the world’s solar industry as the Sun was seemingly working in overdrive, but in fact, blazing temps can greatly complicate solar generation efforts. This year’s hot summer […] The post Global Heat Wave Puts Solar Panels to the Test appeared first on Solar Tribune.

Rooftop solar: Good for the economy, good for the grid
27 Jul 2022 at 4:29pm
by Rebecca Snow
Solar continues to create jobs, investment, economic development and grid resilience while reducing energy costs for utilities, businesses, industry and consumers. It reduces the environmental impact on air, water and carbon.  And amazingly, it can be placed atop your house. Guest Post by Tim Echols, Originally posted in the Athens Banner-Herald Tim Echols is Vice-Chair of the Georgia Public Service […] The post Rooftop solar: Good for the economy, good for the grid appeared first on Solar Tribune.

Solar Panels Helping Old Landfills Embrace a Greener Future
30 Jun 2022 at 12:53pm
by Ryan Regan
As the solar industry has matured over recent decades, solar panels have found their way onto more and more unusual places. Cars, lakes, airports, and Disney World are just a few examples. Although notably less sexy than those examples, solar arrays placed on capped landfills are definitely becoming “a thing” that continues to gather more […] The post Solar Panels Helping Old Landfills Embrace a Greener Future appeared first on Solar Tribune.

The Rise of Agrivoltaics
3 Jun 2022 at 6:18pm
by Ryan Regan
Once upon a time, a common argument by solar energy skeptics was that expansive solar farms would overtake large swaths of American farmland, to the eventual detriment of American farmers seeking to grow crops or raise livestock. The industry has grown and matured in such a way that not only rebuffs this concern but shows […] The post The Rise of Agrivoltaics appeared first on Solar Tribune.

The Solar Powered Cars are Coming…Sort of
4 May 2022 at 6:26pm
by Ryan Regan
The electric vehicle and solar energy markets are both simultaneously growing at record clips, which begs the question, why haven’t cars powered entirely by the sun taken root as the next big thing? On the surface, the prospect of a car powered by an infinite and free power source that is never “off” sounds like […] The post The Solar Powered Cars are Coming…Sort of appeared first on Solar Tribune.

Cleaning Innovations Key to Solar PV Efficiency
2 Apr 2022 at 1:30pm
by Ryan Regan
The efficiency of a solar energy system’s individual PV panels and the amount of sun exposure that said panels receive play a pivotal role in the system’s over ability to harness solar energy. Keeping the surface of the solar panel clean is critical to achieving optimal efficiency and getting the most out of your system. […] The post Cleaning Innovations Key to Solar PV Efficiency appeared first on Solar Tribune.


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