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December 2022
News Release: New Method Addresses Problem With Perovskite Solar Cells
A new approach to manufacturing perovskite solar cells has addressed previous problems and yielded devices with high efficiency and excellent stability, researchers at NREL report in the new issue of the journal Science.
November 2022
SolarAPP+ Prize Helps Communities Adopt Automated Solar Permit Processing
NREL announced 12 communities as winners of Step 1 of the American-Made Solar Automated Permit Processing Plus (SolarAPP+) Prize—a two-step competition to help communities adopt automated processing of residential solar permits, lowering costs and making solar more accessible for homeowners.
NREL Tracks PV and Energy Storage Prices in Volatile Market
NREL has released its annual cost breakdown of installed solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage systems.
How Wind Turbines Could Power Defense and Disaster Relief
Over the last four years, NREL has been part of a multilaboratory team that explored deployable wind turbine systems—including a few solar panels and batteries—using standard shipping containers to power military and disaster relief purposes.
Popular NREL Cell Efficiency Chart Shines in New Interactive Version
There is a new way to explore NREL's famous chart spotlighting the efficiency of solar cells. The Best Research-Cell Efficiency Chart is now interactive, with the ability to pull up decades of research data and create custom charts that focus on specific technologies or time periods. You can also dive deeper into the data behind many points on the chart, going beyond just efficiency.
PV Windows Unlock Goal of Increased Energy Efficiency of Skyscrapers
Skyscrapers dominate city skylines, but these massive glass-walled structures can be made more energy efficient through the addition of thermally efficient photovoltaic (PV) windows, according to an analysis by researchers at NREL.
Eight From NREL Named to 2022 Highly Cited Researchers List
Eight scientists from NREL were named today to the Highly Cited Researchers list, including two who are making their first appearance.
NREL and SMUD Launch Groundbreaking Automation Tool for Interconnecting Customer Solar to the Grid
NREL-developed PRECISE™ automates interconnection assessments to help customers and utilities reach growing solar goals.
October 2022
NREL, Mines Researchers Show Advances in Development of III-V Solar Cells for Use on Earth
Two recently published papers spell out advances in the field of photovoltaics made from III-V materials. The improvements to the III-V solar cells will help the technology find a terrestrial home. III-V cells—although efficient—carry such a high price tag it only makes economic sense to use them on satellites and Mars rovers.
Increased Spacing of Solar Panels Comes With Benefits
Moving rows of solar panels further apart can increase efficiency and improve economics in certain instances by allowing greater airflow to whisk away some heat, according to a new analysis.
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Last Updated May 5, 2025