National Renewable Energy Laboratory NREL

First Solar achieves 17.3% efficiency

A significant milestone has been achieved by First Solar, who have set a new world record for cadmium-telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) solar cell efficiency, reaching 17.3 percent with a test cell constructed using commercial-scale manufacturing equipment and materials.

Extraction of light generated inside solar devices proves critical

When the scientists at Alta Devices began seeing their solar devices achieve efficiency results beyond what was previously thought possible, they realized that something scientifically important was going on. Their conclusion: a great solar cell also emits light and collecting that light increases cell performance.

Profiles of military electric vehicle suppliers

Suppliers and developers of electric vehicles for the US Military.

Best for batteries: Not too hot, not too cold

With average U.S. gasoline prices approaching $4 a gallon, drivers and automakers are thinking electric. Previously steered in this direction by concerns about pollution and dependence on foreign oil, consumer interest in electric-drive cars continues to surge. But before Americans are able to flip the switch from gasoline to electricity, automakers need batteries for the next generation of electric vehicles that can deliver the range, performance, reliability and safety drivers expect.

Possible secondary uses for lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries

The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, industry and academia are teaming to give batteries from electric drive vehicles a "second life."

Antarctica's ice puts electric vehicles to test

The punishment your car endures on a cold winter commute pales in comparison to the veritable torture that researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are inflicting on two electric utility research vehicles — all in the name of science.

Google and DOE create EV charging location network

As electric vehicle charging infrastructure becomes a key consideration for governments aiming to progress the wide spread adoption of EVs, innovative, smart solutions are becoming imperative. Google and the U.S. Department of Energy lead a collaboration to increase the ease with which EV motorists can locate their nearest charging stations.

Highest publicly reported efficiency for thin film solar

General Electric has announced that a full-size, thin film solar panel developed by the company has been independently certified as the most efficient ever publicly reported milestone for the technology.

GE achieves highest publicly reported efficiency for Thin Film Solar

Plans to Build US Manufacturing Plant Highest-Ever Reported Efficiency of Nearly 13 Percent on a Full-Size CdTe Thin Film Solar Panel More than 100 Megawatts of New Orders for Thin Film Solar Products GE to Build 400-Megawatt Manufacturing Facility, will be Larger than Any Existing US Solar Panel Plant Today Solar Strategy Complemented by Announced Acquisition of Power Conversion Technology Company Converteam GE Completes Acquisition of PrimeStar Solar, Inc.

New Energy and NREL cooperative research and development agreement

New Energy Technologies, Inc. has announced that as part of its efforts to advance the commercial development of SolarWindow™, capable of generating electricity on see-thru glass, the Company has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

The first practical artificial leaf

Scientists at MIT have claimed one of the milestones in the drive for sustainable energy — development of the first practical artificial leaf.

DOE awards 3M $4.4 million to reduce cost of PV energy systems

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded 3M $4.4 million as part of DOE's SunShot Initiative. SunShot aims to reduce the total costs of photovoltaic solar energy systems by about 75 percent, so that they are cost-competitive with other forms of energy without subsidies.

Highest efficiency demonstrated for commercial size thin-film modules

MiaSolé, the leading manufacturer of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic solar panels announced that the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy laboratory (NREL) independently confirmed the 15.7% efficiency of its large area production modules.

Konarka signs distribution agreement with Japanese company

Konarka has signed a distribution agreement with Japanese company Kogent Inc a subsidiary of Macnica Group, a leading distributor in Japan. The company will distribute Konarka's organic, flexible, thin-film solar material that converts light to energy.

Beneq US expansion gaining momentum

Beneq, leading provider of industrial thin film equipment and technology based on atomic layer deposition (ALD) and aerosol coating, is proud to announce significant developments in its US operations.

Solar power for electric vehicles

Most of the companies developing photovoltaics have been obsessed with reaching grid parity meaning competitiveness with conventional grid electricity generation which is often highly subsidised. More recently, it has been realised that the market for disposable photovoltaics on consumer goods is at least as large and even the potential on electric vehicles by land, water and air, could be an enticing billion square meters a year, comparable to that for buildings.

Oerlikon Solar breaks two world records

Oerlikon Solar breaking two world records: lowest module production cost and highest lab cell efficiency.Oerlikon Solar introduces ahead of its technology roadmap the new production line "ThinFab".

14% efficiency with commercial-scale CIGS thin film solar modules

A manufacturer of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic solar panels, today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) independently confirmed the 14.3% efficiency of its large area production modules.

New world record with efficient CIGS solar cell

The new record-breaking solar cells from ZSW are made of extremely thin layers of copper, indium, gallium and diselenide (CIGS for short).