The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has announced the demonstration of a 45.7 percent conversion efficiency for a four-junction solar cell at 234 suns concentration. NREL said this is one of the highest photovoltaic research cell efficiencies achieved across all types of solar cells.
The California Energy Commission approved $13.5 million for energy efficiency measures to 14 schools in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Joaquin County, and Orange County. The Energy Commission also approved grants to four entities to develop and research alternative and renewable fuel projects.
Solar power is growing so fast across the United States that 10 percent solar capacity is seen as achievable by 2030, according to a new report by Environment America Research & Policy Center.
Fortinet has flipped the switch on a 900 kW solar electric system which blankets its Santa Clara, California, corporate campus. The company’s commitment to sustainable business practices is now exhibited with the installation of this solar energy system which covers two rooftops and three parking lots.
Distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) system prices dropped by 12-19 percent nationwide in 2013, according to the third edition of a jointly written report on PV pricing trends from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL).
DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products has collaborated with SolarUS to launch a new biobased heat transfer fluid. The new fluid, So-Blu, will offer solar thermal system owners freeze, corrosion, and extreme heat protection resulting in increased system and equipment efficiency and lifespan, said the companies.
The project was led by GRID Alternatives, the country’s largest nonprofit solar installer, which is launching its new mid-Atlantic presence with this neighborhood project to install solar energy systems on 10 Habitat for Humanity of Washington D.C. homes.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $5 million in funding for nine projects that will advance the development of combined heat and power (CHP) and renewable energy technologies at facilities across the federal government and help meet energy efficiency, renewable energy, and greenhouse gas reduction goals.
With projected savings in some cases as high as $1.5 million, a new report released by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) illustrates the benefits achieved by utilizing solar heating and cooling (SHC) systems for U.S. businesses and commercial buildings.