Traditional silicon-based solar cells have an absolute limit for overall efficiency — in principle, a single photon of light should only be able to loosen a single electron, even if that photon is carrying double the energy required to do so. Now, however, researchers have presented a new way to get high-energy photons striking silicon…
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Los Angeles Power and Water officials have struck a deal on the largest and cheapest solar + battery-storage project in the world, at prices that leave fossil fuels in the dust and may relegate nuclear power to the dustbin. Later this month the LA Board of Water and Power Commissioners is expected to approve a…
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California set two renewable energy records last week: the most solar power ever flowing on the state’s main electric grid, and the most solar power ever taken offline because it wasn’t needed. There’s no contradiction: As California utilities buy more and more solar power as part of the state’s quest to confront climate change, supply…
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The city of Madison has launched a new program designed to help low-income residents share in the benefits of solar energy. Modeled after an existing program designed to help Madison residents install solar panels, the Backyard Solar grants are intended to bring solar to neighborhoods that may have been left out of the solar boom, said Heather…
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Installation of 3 million solar panels this year keeps FPL on track to meet “30-by-30” plan to install more than 30 million panels by 2030. Ten new solar plants will create about 2,000 jobs during peak construction. FPL continues to keep customer bills among the lowest in the country as it shapes Florida into a…
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In India coal is king. It powers huge swathes of the country and its use is still rising. But there are signs that coal’s dominance might one day be challenged. India’s investments in renewable sources are now outpacing those in fossil fuels, according to a report by the International Energy Agency. Total renewable power investments topped…
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Australians may have missed out on Labor’s renewable energy plans for the nation with their election loss this past weekend. But there’s plenty of help available in solar power and battery rebates – supporting the environment as well as slashing their power bills. Let’s take a look at what financial assistance is offered around the country. Some…
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What is a mini solar panel?A solar panel comprises photovoltaic cells which are made of silicon or other semiconductor materials. A normal solar panel seen on rooftops is typically 65 x 39 inches in size and used for residential applications. Similarly, a solar panel seen on solar farms or commercial solar power plants is generally…
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Green Mountain Power, which serves nearly ¾ of all utility customers in Vermont, is ramping up its plans to use only renewable power by 2030. The company has been a leader among US utilities when it comes to addressing the emissions created by generating electricity by conventional means. Starting in 2017, it offered many of…
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The US residential solar market is now over 2 million installations, and forecasts expect solar installations to double by 2023, according to Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The Q2 record comes just three years after the industry completed its 1 millionth residential installation, a feat that took 40 years to…
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