Author: solarenergy

GM energy has officially launched its stationary energy storage product in all 50 states. The GM Energy PowerBank is available in sizes 10.6 and 17.7 kWh and can be combined with EV chargers or stand-alone. “One of the key differentiators of GM Energy’s portfolio is its modularity,” said Wade Sheffer, vice president of GM Energy. “The flexibility of our energy management tools, combined with one of the largest ranges of vehicle-to-home EVs on the market, gives our customers greater control over their energy consumption, limiting the impact of power outages and integrating renewable energy options and unlocking additional values.” The…

Revolutionizing Energy and Space Utilization Imagine pulling into a parking lot on a hot summer day, but instead of searching for that elusive shady spot, every parking space offers cool shade. Now, picture that same shade-providing structure actually generating renewable energy. Welcome to the world of solar panel parking lots – an innovative solution that’s transforming urban landscapes and energy production simultaneously. Solar panel parking lots, also known as solar carports, are gaining traction as a smart way to utilize space, generate clean energy, and provide additional benefits to both property owners and the general public. In this guide, we’ll…

A team from the University of California, Santa Barbara used ultrafast electron microscopy to capture photocarriers as they diffuse across a heterojunction of silicon and germanium. It is the first time that the movement, which lasts picoseconds, has been captured as a moving image. October 11, 2024 Patrick JowettResearchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara have visualized photoexcited charges traveling across the interface of two different semiconductor materials in a solar cell.In a solar cell, sunlight hits a semiconductor material, causing electrons to move across two different materials, known as the heterojunction, creating a current that is harnessed to…

The US-based long-term energy storage startup has raised more than $1.2 billion to date, making it one of the best-funded players in the space. October 11, 2024 Marija Maisch By ESS newsForm Energy is looking to accelerate the expansion of its 100-hour production of iron-air battery systems in the US based on a $405 million Series F financing round.Announcing the major financing milestone on Wednesday, the company said it brings its total funding to date to more than $1.2 billion.The startup’s latest funding round, led by T. Rowe Price, has also yielded results GE Vernova as a new investor. Existing…

Researchers in Denmark have found that using a large-scale air-to-water heat pump in solar district heating can significantly reduce levelized heating costs. The proposed system configuration was simulated for an existing district heating plant in Denmark and was shown to improve the flexibility of the system in response to energy prices. October 11, 2024 Emiliano BelliniResearchers from the Technical University of Denmark have investigated how large-scale air-to-water heat pumps can be combined with PV-powered district heating systems with the aim of reducing levelized heating costs and improving system flexibility. They explained that air-to-water heat pumps have the ability to produce…

The International Energy Agency says renewables are on track to meet almost half of global electricity demand by 2030, with solar accounting for 80% of capacity growth. October 10, 2024 Patrick JowettThe International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that more than 4,000 GW of new solar energy will be added worldwide by the end of the decade.The agency’s flagship report: “Renewable energy sources 2024,” says the world will add more than 5,500 GW of new renewable energy capacity between 2024 and 2030, to reach a cumulative capacity of almost 11,000 GW. The forecast indicates that solar energy will account for 80%…

China’s solar power is moving from supremacy to oversupply Strong state support and massive private investment have turned China’s solar industry into a global powerhouse, but it faces new headwinds, from punitive tariffs abroad to a brutal price war at home. Officials meeting in Baku next month for the COP29 summit hope to agree on new financial targets to help developing countries respond to climate change, including dumping fossil fuels. Last year, countries agreed to triple global installed renewable energy capacity by 2030. China installs almost twice as much solar and wind energy as all other countries combined. And it…

Researchers from Norway and Germany investigated the influence of impurities in fused quartz crucibles used in the production of silicon PV rods. The results suggest that the most important factors affecting crucible uniformity are sand quality, sand particle size and aspects of the manufacturing process. October 10, 2024 Valerie ThompsonResearchers from Norway and Germany investigated the influence of impurities in fused quartz crucibles used in the production of silicon PV rods, particularly the physical properties and uniformity of hydroxyl impurities.The research was made possible by infrared microscopy and viscosity testing.“Understanding the weaker points in the structure of the crucible could…

BlueWave has started three agrivoltaic community solar projects in Johnstown, New York, totaling 16 MW. October 10, 2024 Anne Fischer By pv magazine USABlueWave, a solar developer focused on agrivoltaics, is entering New York State with three solar projects in the design phase. The installations have a total capacity of 16 MW and are all located in Johnstown, New York State.“We have taken a deep dive into agrivoltaic energy, it is now our default land use option in our solar panels,” said Jesse Robertson-DuBois, director of sustainable development at Bluewave, told pv magazine USA.All arrays will feature herd-friendly agrivoltaic designs…

Intelligent energy management company Eaton has announced a partnership with Lunar Energy to simplify installation and maximize the functionality of home energy storage and solar systems. The integration of Eaton’s new AbleEdge smart circuit breakers with the Lunar System will make it easier for installers and homeowners to deploy solar and storage, manage loads, optimize costs and extend the life of the solar battery system. The joint solutions are expected to be available in early 2025, with Eaton being Lunar Energy’s preferred supplier for load management. Eaton’s AbleEdge smart breakers will add load management functionality to the Lunar System in…