KMB Design Group, a Solar Engineering Company, delivers the latest news on all things photovoltaic and solar energy. Our goal is to provide information, knowledge and resources in the exciting and constantly evolving photovoltaic industry. Take a look at the solar developments trending today.
The Photovoltaic Market Alliance (PVMA) Estimates Photovoltaic Installations of At Least 51 GW in 2015
After 40 GW of photovoltaic installations in 2014, a confirmation of PVMA last January early estimate, 2015 experienced a significant growth with a market reaching at least 51 GW. As anticipated, a number of emerging PV markets on all continents started to contribute significantly to the global growth with the US market growing by 56% in 2015 over 2014.
16 Collegiate Teams to Compete in Solar Decathlon 2017
The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced 16 collegiate teams selected to participate in the US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2017 competition. Truly making an impact in the future of renewable energy, teams compete in 10 different contests—ranging from architecture and engineering to home appliance performance, affordability and energy balance—while gaining valuable hands-on experience in clean energy design.
Cheaper solar cells with 20.2 percent efficiency
Published in Nature Energy, EPFL scientists have now engineered a considerably cheaper hole-transporting material that costs only a fifth of existing ones while keeping the efficiency of the solar cell above 20%. And because it can be easily modified, it acts as a blueprint for an entire generation of new low-cost hole-transporting materials.
The US Solar Industry Continues to Outpace Other Sectors of Economy
This year’s Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census found that the solar industry continues to outpace most other sectors of the economy, adding workers at a rate nearly 12 times faster than the overall economy and accounting for 1.2% of all jobs created in the US over the past year. “The U.S. solar power industry continues to grow and create jobs, providing further evidence that promoting economic growth and fighting climate change can go hand-in-hand.”
‘World’s biggest’ floating Photovoltaic project underway in Japan
Claimed to be the largest of its type in the world, this 13.7MW solar photovoltaic plant in Japan floats on water. “Floating installations also offer other potential advantages, for example preventing evaporation from reservoirs and lakes while providing shading from algal bloom.”
World Energy Council: Bright future for energy storage
According to a new report by the World Energy Council ‘E-storage, a narrow focus on cost alone may be leading to misconceptions about the real value of energy storage. The report is calling for the true value of energy storage to be recognized by taking into account both its cost and revenue benefits. “The report also estimates that with the many new technologies in the pipeline, storage costs of energy will fall by as much as 70% over the next 15 years.”
Underwater Solar Cells Convert Greenhouse Gases into Fuel
Inspired by the natural process of photosynthesis in plants, which converts energy from the sun into sugars, new solar cells have been developed that allow artificial photosynthesis. The newly developed solar cells can work under water. The cells convert carbon dioxide emissions into solar fuel and even function effectively if they are placed underwater.
Photovoltaic Design & Engineering Services
KMB Design Group is at the forefront of the escalating solar industry, and is considered a leading consulting firm in the renewable energy field providing photovoltaic design and engineering services. Our Solar engineers will give you full analysis and let you know how much photovoltaic can be drawn with considerations such as location, obstructions and orientations. We will also provide you with the best commercial solar power designs to give you maximum output. Licensed in 49 states, we have the ability to work nationally without limitations.