October 30, 2008
NREL’s Clean Energy Forum Attracts National Investment Community
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) convened its most successful clean energy investment forum to date at the 21st Clean Energy Industry Growth Forum in Denver, Colo. October 28-30. The forum attracted about 500 investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, and policymakers to the nation’s leading clean energy technology investment forum.
October 24, 2008
NREL Solar Technologies Recognized with Special R&D 100 Honors
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) took home high honors from Editors of R&D Magazine recently for two separate solar cell technologies that were named “the most revolutionary technologies of the year.”
October 15, 2008
Collaboratory Funds 12 New Solar Research Projects
The Center for Revolutionary Solar Photoconversion (CRSP) is launching 12 novel solar research projects totaling more than $1.1 million in its inaugural round of research and development funding.
October 7, 2008
NREL, HelioVolt Receive Technology Transfer Award for PV Manufacturing Technology
The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer has presented NREL and HelioVolt with an "Excellence in Technology Transfer" Award.
September 19, 2008
DOE to Invest $35 Million in Concentrating Solar Power Projects
The U.S. Department of Energy selected 15 new projects to facilitate developing lower-cost energy storage for concentrating solar power technology.
September 5, 2008
NREL’s Optical Furnace Technology Sparks Solar Industry Interest
Two startup companies are using NREL's optical furnace technology to advance solar cell manufacturing processes.
August 13, 2008
NREL Solar Cell Sets World Efficiency Record at 40.8 Percent
Scientists at NREL have set a world record in solar cell efficiency with a photovoltaic device that converts 40.8 percent of the light that hits it into electricity. This is the highest confirmed efficiency of any photovoltaic device to date.
July 17, 2008
NREL Solar Research Gains Two R&D 100 Awards
An ultra-light, highly efficient solar cell and use of ink-jet printing to manufacture thin-film photovoltaics – both developed at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory – have been named among this year’s most significant innovations by Research and Development Magazine.
July 14, 2008
NREL and Optony Collaborate on Developing Cost-Competitive Approach for Solar Electricity
NREL and its partner Optony are working together on a revolutionary concentrating solar power system.
July 2, 2008
NREL Recognized for Work on Denver Federal Center's Solar Park
Otto VanGeet, of NREL's Strategic Energy Analysis and Applications Center, was recognized for his technical support to the General Services Administration (GSA) Rocky Mountain Region at the official dedication of the Denver Federal Center's (DFC) $6.9 million solar park on June 26.
June 13, 2008
Wind-Tunnel Tests Assist in Structural Design of Parabolic Trough Solar Collectors
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently released the results of extensive wind-tunnel tests on parabolic trough solar collectors. These tests and their analysis determined practical wind loads applicable to the structural design for stress and deformation.
May 14, 2008
JEDI Model Now Includes Concentrating Solar Power
The Job and Economic Development Impact, or JEDI, models are easy-to-use models that analyze the economic impacts of constructing and operating power generation plants at the local and state level. First developed to model wind energy development impacts, JEDI has expanded. We now offer models to analyze the job and economic impacts of biofuels and concentrating solar power plants.
May 2, 2008
NREL Commercialization Project Accelerates PV Technology Innovation
NREL's R&D collaboration with Ampulse, a venture-backed company, is taking photovoltaic cell technology one step further with a new innovative approach using silicon film.
March 24, 2008
Record Makes Thin-Film Solar Cell Competitive with Silicon Efficiency
Researchers have moved closer to creating a thin-film solar cell that can compete with the efficiency of the more common silicon-based solar cell. The copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film solar cell recently reached 19.9 percent efficiency, setting a new world record for this type of cell.
March 19, 2008
NREL's Mark Mehos Discusses CSP Technology in National Public Radio Interview
Mark Mehos, manager of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) program, discussed the potential of CSP as one of the guests on National Public Radio's "Science Friday" on March 14. Other guests interviewed by Ira Flatow, the show’s host, included Frederick Morse, senior advisor for the United States for Abengoa Solar, and David Mills, chairman, founder, and chief research officer of Ausra Incorporated. The interview can be heard in its entirety on NPR’s Web site at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88239836&sc=emaf.
January 8, 2008
NREL Solicits Commercial Partner to Assist in Developing Advanced Selective Absorber Coatings for Use in Concentrating Solar Power Systems
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is looking for a commercial partner to assist in developing its heat-collection element for parabolic trough systems, with the goal of establishing a commercial product. Interested parties should contact NREL by January 31, 2008.
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