Solar Newsletter—May 2023
The Solar Newsletter is an electronic newsletter that provides information about NREL's research and development of solar technologies.
Subscribe to the Solar Newsletter or see the archives.
Next Decade Decisive for PV Growth on the Path to 2050
In a new publication, global solar power experts urge a commitment to the continued growth of PV manufacturing and deployment. They argue that lowballing projections for PV growth while waiting for a consensus on other energy pathways "is no longer an option."
Automated Permitting Speeds Solar Adoption Across United States
The Solar Automated Permit Processing Plus (SolarAPP+) software allows local governments to instantly issue permits for code-compliant residential PV systems. In 2022, more than 11,000 permits were issued using SolarAPP+, saving over 9,500 hours of staff time.
15 Collegiate Teams Awarded for Their Solar-Plus-Storage Designs
The Solar District Cup challenges multidisciplinary student teams to design solar-plus-storage systems. Teams presented their projects to a panel of industry judges and peers and winners were announced on May 1.
Analysis Points to Massive PV Deployment To Meet Decarbonization Target
An "unprecedented ramp-up of production capacity" over the next two decades is needed to provide enough solar power to decarbonize the global electrical system, but that goal can be achieved, according to an analysis led by NREL researchers.
Research Highlights
Spring 2023 Solar Industry Update, NREL Presentation (2023)
Community Resilience Options: A Menu for Enhancing Local Energy Resilience, NREL Technical Report (2023)
Access Keeping Solar in the Field by Keeping Water Out on the U.S. Department of Energy's website.
Work With NREL
On the U.S. Department of Energy website, join the National Community Solar Partnership, apply for community solar technical assistance, and join the Community Power Accelerator.
Apply for Solar Energy Innovation Network assistance for early adopters.
Staff Profile – Kirstin Alberi
Materials Science Center Director
Materials, Chemical, and Computational Science Directorate
Kirstin Alberi was recently selected as director of NREL's Materials Science Center, which includes numerous projects on PV materials.
Kirstin has a long history at NREL, first joining the lab as a postdoctoral researcher in 2008. She was also NREL's first Basic Energy Sciences Early Career Award winner. In 2022, she was named a Distinguished Member of Research Staff for her contributions to semiconductor physics, light-assisted epitaxy, heteroepitaxy, and quantum materials.
When Kirstin joined NREL as a postdoctoral researcher nearly 15 years ago, she never predicted that she would end up in this high-ranking position.
"You can overestimate what you can do in 6 months to a year but underestimate what you can do in a decade or two."
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