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June 2021
New Pathway Emerges To Improve Polycrystalline Thin-Film Solar Cell Performance
Puzzling out and testing new ways to improve the efficiency of cadmium telluride (CdTe) polycrystalline thin-film photovoltaic materials is a typical day in the life of NREL research scientists Matthew Reese and Craig Perkins. Like any good puzzlers, they bring curiosity and keen observation to the task.
NREL Inventiveness Sets New Record for Patent Activity
NREL was granted 40 U.S. patents during fiscal 2020, a bump from the 32 issued during the prior fiscal year.
April 2021
The Curtailment Paradox in a High Solar Future
A new NREL study uncovers counterintuitive relationship between flexibility options and curtailment in power systems with high solar penetration.
Department of Energy Funding Boosts US-MAP Research into Perovskites
New funding for perovskites is considered a significant step toward metal halide perovskite PV commercialization.
Ten Innovative Teams Emerge Victorious in Round 4 of the American-Made Solar Prize
On April 9, 2021, the U.S. Department of Energy announced 10 finalist teams that are moving forward in the American-Made Solar Prize Round 4 competition.
Scientists Studying Solar Try Solving a Dusty Problem
The accumulation of dust, soot, or other particulates causes a drop in the efficiency of solar panels, which translates to a decline in the amount of power produced and lost income for their operators.
March 2021
NREL's New Solar TRACE Tool Adds Transparency to Permitting, Inspection, and Interconnection Nationwide
In partnership with the solar industry, NREL recently developed Solar TRACE, an online tool to increase transparency into PII processes, requirements, and overall adoption cycle times nationwide.
February 2021
Documenting a Decade of Cost Declines for PV Systems
NREL marks ongoing cost reductions for installed photovoltaic (PV) systems, while also establishing benchmark of PV-plus-storage systems.
New Design Strategy Pushes Organic Photovoltaics Past 18% Efficiency
Holistic strategy optimizes electronic structure and morphology, opening a new route to higher-efficiency organic photovoltaic devices.
January 2021
Reliability Analysis of the U.S. West Reviews Barriers to a Renewable Future
As part of a multistate collaboration, NREL has modeled and assessed long-term reliability and integration impacts of solar PV growth in the western United States, with broader lessons for power grids and renewable policies.
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Last Updated May 5, 2025