Posted on: June 2, 2023 Posted by: Natalie M. Brownell Comments: 0

Solar as a Solution: Three Ways Solar Can Step up its Grid Services Game

There is a lot of work involved in getting power. It goes beyond just generating and transmitting electricity to the customer. The U.S. electrical grid must be constantly monitored and controlled to ensure that customers can access power reliably. Grid operators are responsible for managing electricity supply and demand in the electric Grid by performing various “grid service” activities. These services help maintain system balance and better manage electricity transmission.…

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Posted on: June 2, 2023 Posted by: Natalie M. Brownell Comments: 0

New Solar Design Competition Announced: Solar District Cup

Real-life projects. Real-world solutions. You can help build the solar energy workforce of tomorrow by guiding your students to participate in the U.S. You can make the solar energy workforce of tomorrow by teaching your students in the U.S. Universities and community colleges have a unique opportunity to participate in the inaugural DOE Solar District Cup. This competition challenges student teams to reimagine how solar energy is produced, managed, and…

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Posted on: June 2, 2023 Posted by: Natalie M. Brownell Comments: 0

Boosting Domestic Manufacturing

Our technology offices are committed to supporting manufacturing innovation across all sectors. In the last year, for example, U.S. solar PV module manufacturing tripled to reach 7,7 gigawatts per year. As EERE assistant secretary, I was eager to witness this progress. In November 2019, I visited First Solar’s highly automated production facility in Ohio. First Solar produces CdTe thin-film modules. This is the second most common PV technology after silicon.…

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Posted on: May 10, 2023 Posted by: Natalie M. Brownell Comments: 0

Remove the red tape to go solar.

More than solar panels on your roof is needed to go solar. The project must be approved, installed, inspected, and connected to the grid after you have selected an installer. Most of these steps depend on the local government and utility companies. This means that the process will vary depending on where you live. Interconnection times can vary greatly, taking up to several months to complete, with more than 3,000…

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Posted on: May 10, 2023 Posted by: Natalie M. Brownell Comments: 0

Solar Energy Storage: Making Progress

The SunShot Initiative has funded various energy storage research that integrates with concentrating solar power. The SunShot Initiative financed a study on energy storage combined with concentrated solar power. In January 2016, SunShot began tackling photovoltaics storage with its sustainable and holistic integration of energy storage and solar PV funding program. Six SHINES projects aim to develop cost-effective, scalable, secure, and reliable integrated photovoltaic and energy storage systems. These projects have made significant…

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Posted on: May 10, 2023 Posted by: Natalie M. Brownell Comments: 0

The new solar collector technology could lower costs for concentrated solar power.

New solar collectors are setting a new trend in concentrating solar power technology (CSP). “Ganned heliostats,” for the first time, could be an option in new CSP systems. Skysun is a Bay Village, Ohio-based startup that developed a new design to help reduce the cost of CSP systems by over 30%. GANGED HELIOSTAT SCIENCE CSP technology uses mirrors to focus and reflect sunlight onto receivers which collect solar energy and transform…

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Posted on: May 10, 2023 Posted by: Natalie M. Brownell Comments: 0

The Duck Curve and Solar Energy Overproduction

The California Independent System Operator (CISO) published a chart in 2013 that has become a standard tool for discussions about the large-scale deployments of solar photovoltaic power. The duck curve, named for its resemblance with a duck, shows the difference between electricity demand and solar energy available throughout the day. Solar energy floods the market when the sun shines but falls off in the evening as electricity demand increases. The…

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Posted on: May 10, 2023 Posted by: Natalie M. Brownell Comments: 0

Power Electronics: Extending the Life of Solar Energy Systems

Power electronics are essential for the safe and efficient operation and grid integration of solar photovoltaic systems. Power electronics innovations can enhance the functionality of PV systems and improve grid control capabilities. This will lead to a longer lifetime for PV systems and lower costs. The typical lifespan of these devices, however, is just ten years. Customers must replace the machines long before replacing the solar panels. The cost and performance of…

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Posted on: May 10, 2023 Posted by: Natalie M. Brownell Comments: 0

American Solar Movers and Makers

The solar industry is expanding into new states, creating new business opportunities nationwide. The Energy Information Administration estimates solar power could account for 15% of the total U.S. electrical generation by 2050. Since March 2018, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has committed more than $400,000,000 to new solar projects. This reflects the administration’s commitment to lowering solar electricity costs. We can still do more to reduce costs and integrate…

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Posted on: May 10, 2023 Posted by: Natalie M. Brownell Comments: 0

Rooftop Solar: The Path to Resilience

Welcome to the club if you can install a solar power system at your home or business. The United States has established over 2 million. It is essential to know the specifics of solar energy systems, such as what happens if power fails. Do I still have power if I own a PV system? According to current interconnection regulations, most residential solar systems must be connected to a grid to generate power.…

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