Tag: NREL
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What’s the real value of high-efficiency solar panels?
The value of high-efficiency solar panels was studied by Nielson Scientific, NREL, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and ARPA-E. Their findings are summarized in this Solar Builder feature, originally published in 2020. For further insight into high-efficiency solar panel data, and how it should affect your solar installation business, check out our accompanying webinar this week: The……
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Can’t blame IRA | Prevailing wage requirements have no impact on large project costs
Solar labor costs are high and rising, driving “astronomical” bids from EPCs, but market fundamentals, not the IRA’s prevailing wage requirements, are to blame, experts told Solar Builder Magazine. The IRA requires all laborers and mechanics employed by a developer or subcontractor constructing, altering, or repairing a solar project over 1 MW to be paid……
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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……
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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……
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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……