Elon Musk’s solar system powerhouse SolarCity and the Norwegian solar energy provider REC Group recently announced that they will be expanding upon their earlier supply agreement — all the way up to the rather large figure of 220 MW worth of solar panel through 2015. The new announcement follows rather closely on the heels of the initial agreement between the
After thrust, components dedicated to control the temperature inside the car (air con and heating) rank second when it comes to electric energy consumption in EVs. Both, air conditioning and heating are loading down the battery and thus reduce the driving range if they are used. In a research project, the Hohenstein Institute collaborates with research institutes FILK (Freiberg, Saxony)
Trina Solar Limited today announced that its high-efficiency Honey solar module has set a new world record for peak power output for P-type monocrystalline silicon PV modules, as independently certified by TUV Rheinland. The module was developed in the Company’s State Key Lab of PV Science and Technology and is composed of 60 156mm x 156mm high-efficiency Honey monocrystalline silicon
In June and July of 2014, the US Department of Commerce announced its intention to impose duties on Chinese and Taiwanese solar PV manufacturing imports. This followed on from a previous trade decision reached towards the end of 2012 to impose duties on Chinese produced crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells. And, as was the case following the 2012 decision, Chinese
Times of India has reported from Bangalore that an e-tendering process for solar power projects organized by the State Government of Karnataka was completed within 40 seconds. The news is particularly important because at stake were tenders for 300 MW of solar projects (announced under the state policy this year) worth over $330 million! Needless to say, the process drew
Last week, we reported the debut of the Tesla Model D, a dual motor version of the Model S that comes in three flavors: 60D, 85D and a high performance version, the P85D. Adding the second motor to the 60D and 85D is not done quite the way you might think. Out comes the standard 302 horsepower rear motor and
A report prepared for the European Commission has found that onshore wind power provides the cheapest source of energy once external factors such as air quality, health impacts and expenditure, and the costs of climate change are taken into consideration. The report’s authors found that onshore wind costs around $133 per MW/h to produce, whereas gas and coal cost up
Stanford University scientists have developed a “smart” lithium-ion battery that gives ample warning before it overheats and bursts into flames. The new technology is designed for conventional lithium-ion batteries now used in billions of cellphones, laptops and other electronic devices, as well as a growing number of cars and airplanes. “Our goal is to create an early-warning system that saves
There have been several instances in recent months when wind energy has accounted for all, or nearly all, electricity demand in South Australia. Last Tuesday, however, set a new benchmark – the combination of wind energy and rooftop solar provided more than 100 per cent of the state’s electricity needs, for a whole working day between 9.30am and 6pm. The
It is not quite two months since the Tucson streetcar Sun Link started operation and inspired more city travel in Tucson. The streetcars, filled with passengers, initially met projected expectations of around 3,600 passengers a day. However, the ridership expanded rapidly and almost doubled as classes at the University of Arizona started. Sun Link Project Manager Shellie Ginn explains, however