US losing its share of $1tn global solar revenues
A report into the future of the U.S. clean energy industry has called upon President Obama and Congress to introduce measures to ensure the country does not fall further behind in the global renewable energy revolution.
Upgrading grids "our lifeline" TÜV Rheinland chief
The CEO of solar testing company TÜV Rheinland has called on politicians in Germany and the European Union to make a huge effort to upgrade grids because, he told an audience at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, “our current network is our lifeline”.
Another $12m for SunShot initiative
The U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Incubator program has announced a further US$12 million of funding to develop solar hardware, and reduce the soft costs associated with installation and permitting.
EMPA announces 20.4% efficient thin film CIGS-on-polymer cell
The record-breaking Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) claims to have engineered a thin flim CIGS solar cell on a flexible polymer substrate that is as efficient as polycrystalline silicon wafer-based cells.
UK solar centre of excellence launched
UK trade body the Solar Trade Association (STA) has been closely involved with the development of a national solar centre of excellence by consultants BRE, which was launched this week.
$28 million more SunShot funding announced
The U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot initiative has announced a $21 million funding package to promote the development of off-the-shelf household solar systems.
Organic photovoltaics on steel
ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe and Solliance (ECN, imec, TNO, Holst Cenre, TU/e, Forschungszentrum Jülich) are coming together for a joint research program on organic PV.
Training network for PV researchers
A new EU consortium will develop a training network for PV researchers. The KESTCELLS project as it is called has a total budget of over 3.7 million. The aim is to increase European competitiveness of existing technologies.
Australia: funding released for PV research
The Australian federal government has released a new round of funding for “early and mid career” photovoltaic researchers. The funding is a part of the governments “Skills Development Program.”
Renewable energy the cheapest option for off-grid power
An influential lobby group, which counts energy policymakers of 102 governments plus the E.U. among its members, has produced a costing analysis that concludes renewable energy should be the default option for providing electricity to the millions of people in the world without grid access.
