Tag: NREL

  • Residential solar PV system costs track 15 percent lower in 2023. Utility-scale not so lucky

    Residential solar PV system cost benchmarks are lower than ever, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Reasons include lower solar module prices and the impact of domestic manufacturing incentives. NREL recently published its annual cost breakdown of installed solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage systems. The U.S. Solar Photovoltaic System and Energy Storage……

  • How to model PV yields in the face of wild weather

    For solar professionals, the weather isn’t boring small talk. Sunshine makes electrons flow, rain slows construction and storms test a system’s ruggedness. Lately, this weather wildcard has been getting wilder, making PV production modeling tougher. While weather is becoming more variable, weather data is gaining nuance. The combination means choosing the right data should take……

  • Increased solar panel row spacing can improve site economics

    We’ve written a lot about “energy density” over the years, and strategies for packing more panels into constrained areas and rooftops. But new research indicates that, over the longer term, in certain cases, wider spacing may be the better play for increasing solar module efficiency and solar plant economics. The reason is greater airflow, which……

  • NREL research examines strategies for recycling solar panels

    PV modules have a 30-year lifespan. There is currently no plan for how to manage this at end of their lifespan. The volume of modules no longer needed could total 80 million metric tons by 2050. In addition to quantity, the nature of the waste also poses challenges. PV modulesRead More — Solar Builder magazine

  • NREL researchers hit new multijunction solar cell efficiency record of 47 percent

    Concentrated solar PV doesn’t make many headlines these days, but research continues to show its possible impact in the future. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has published another solar cell research breakthrough: The fabrication of a six-junction solar cell that achieved a record-breaking solar conversion efficiency of 47.1%. TheRead More — Solar Builder magazine