Learn about all the latest events in renewable energy, sustainability and solar design and engineering happening today from KMB Design Group. Our goal is to provide information, knowledge and resources in the exciting and constantly evolving photovoltaic and renewable industry.
Obama Administration Moves to Encourage 1.3 GW of Energy Storage Procurement
Earlier this month, the Obama Administration announced a series of actions designed to encourage 1.3 GW of energy storage procurement over the next five years. This includes a commitment from the federal government to increase microgrid capacities and storage making federal and military bases more resilient.
Perovskite Solar Cells Surpass 20 Percent Efficiency
ScienceDaily reports that researchers are pushing the limits of perovskite solar cell performance by exploring the best way to grow these crystals. This is promising news for perovskite technology that is already low cost and under industrial development. “Efficiency could exceed 30%. The improved performance would come from harnessing more solar energy: the higher energy light would be absorbed by the perovskite top layer, while lower energy sunlight passing through the perovskite would be absorbed by the silicon layer.”
Storage Technologies For Renewable Energy Can Pay Off
Systems that bank energy can add value to solar, wind projects, ScienceDaily reports. “The researchers point out that much research on storage systems for renewable energy sources has focused on using the systems to smooth out the intermittent outputs to better match fluctuating demand. But in practice, most of these wind or solar farms are feeding into the grid, so what matters to potential investors is the price curve rather than the demand curve.”
Apple Is Generating So Much Renewable Energy It Plans to Start Selling It
Most corporations usually sell surplus energy to power companies, but the tech titan is basically creating a green energy pipeline to consumers. “The company boasts that all its data centers and most of its stores and corporate offices are now powered by green, renewable energy. Apple has plans for 521 megawatts of solar projects globally, as well as other investments in hydroelectric, biogas and geothermal power, which generates enough power to cover 93 percent of its worldwide energy usage. The company wants to eventually operate with 100 percent renewable energy.”
Average Costs for Solar and Wind Electricity Could Fall 59% by 2025
Since 2009, prices for solar PV modules have fallen roughly 80%. By 2025, the average costs for electricity generated by solar technologies could decrease by 26% more, according to a report recently released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The World Nears Peak Fossil Fuels for Electricity
A new forecast from Bloomberg New Energy Finance suggests that clean energy will dominate in the near future. Between 2016 and 2040, global investment in renewables is predicted to reach $7.8 trillion (which is led by solar), compared to only $2.1 trillion for fossil fuels. Throughout that time, more than two-thirds of new electricity capacity will be from renewable energy.
Modi And Obama Push Solar/Nuclear Energy Boost For India
India and the United States have joined forced in the fight against climate change. They are “teaming up to tackle one of the world’s biggest challenges, how to spark economic development while cutting the emission of planet warming greenhouse gasses.”
U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions In 2015 Are 12% Below Their 2005 Levels
Cleaner sources of electricity like solar panels are helping drive a promising trend in the fight against climate change: America’s energy-related CO2 emissions in 2015 fell to a three-year low. “After increasing in 2013 and in 2014, energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions fell in 2015. In 2015, U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions were 12% below the 2005 levels, mostly because of changes in the electric power sector.”
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