Scientists at the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) modified an organic solar cell by swapping its indium tin oxide electrode for a thin silver one, turning the cell into an optical cavity that narrows the angle at which light is re-emitted. The change improved the cell's efficiency by about 0.85 percent, a small gain, but researchers say it demonstrates a path toward efficiencies approaching the theoretical limit of around 43 percent, according to lead author Francisco Bernal Texca.
engadget.com
· 2026-11-07
New state laws now permit homeowners to install small solar panels that plug directly into an outdoor outlet, skipping the permitting, planning and professional installation typically required for rooftop solar systems. A reviewer tested one such kit and found setup as simple as connecting the panel to a wall socket, after which it begins feeding power into the home.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-10-30
Energy analyst Kingsmill Jones says a sharp drop in solar panel prices in 2023-24 has made solar power unusually cheap, with panels now costing well under $100 and capable of generating electricity for 30 to 40 years with minimal maintenance. He describes the resulting cost level as 'offensively cheap,' pointing to solar's rapid expansion relative to nuclear power.
bbc.com
· 2026-10-26
Amazon is selling a 3-camera Arlo Ultra 4K HDR outdoor security bundle for $369.99, down from its regular price by $380. The deal includes solar panels for the cameras and a 6-month subscription plan.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-22
Tesla reported Q3 2026 revenue of roughly $28 billion, nearly unchanged from a year earlier, as automotive revenue dipped 3% and solar/storage revenue dropped 16% to $2.9 billion. Services revenue grew a third to $4.6 billion, but operating expenses jumped 39% to $4.8 billion, pushing operating margin down to 2.6% from 5.8% a year earlier, with net profit falling 43% to $787 million.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-10-21
Studies cited include IEA figures attributing 4-7% of global PV losses to soiling, an NREL study showing pollen cut output up to 15% at North Carolina sites, and UC San Diego research finding a 7.4% efficiency drop after 145 rain-free days. A YouTube test of three panels showed cleaning gains ranging from about 2.4% to 13.4%, while a UC San Diego calculation found cleaning a 5kW home system mid-drought would add only about $20 worth of electricity.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-11
An Engadget writer spent a day and night in Pebble's $159,000 electric RV trailer at a campsite, testing features like integrated solar panels, electric motors, and automated hitching controlled via an iPad app. The trailer includes a convertible dinette, a queen-sized Murphy bed that doubles as a desk, and a full bathroom in a compact, minimalist layout. The reviewer found the space comfortable for two people working and sleeping, though noted minor issues like a wobbly dinette table and a desk too narrow for an external monitor.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-09
Pebble is updating its all-electric Flow trailer for the 2027 model year with a larger solar charging option. The trailer's 45 kWh LFP battery can now be paired with up to 4 kW of solar panels, combining a roof-mounted panel with four additional portable panels, up from the earlier 1.1 kWh roof-only setup.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-10-06
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the Plug and Play Solar Act (SB 868), sponsored by state Sen. Scott Wiener, allowing renters and homeowners to use plug-in solar systems without a full interconnection agreement. The law caps output at 1,200 watts per home, requires registration and third-party safety certification, and mandates that systems not feed power back to the grid during outages.
cnet.com
· 2026-10-02
Green Mountain Power (GMP) is using networked home batteries and software as a 'virtual power plant' to manage electricity demand instead of relying on traditional power plants. GMP says about half of the households enrolled in its battery programme also have solar panels installed.
bbc.com
· 2026-09-29
Scientists near Weizhou Island, publishing in the journal Joule, generated electricity from sunlight at a depth of about 33 feet using perovskite-based solar cells tuned to capture blue and green light that penetrates seawater. The two-hour simulated test produced 324 milliwatt-hours and reached a peak power conversion efficiency near 35 percent, according to the study led by Yunnan University's Wen-Hua Zhang.
futurism.com
· 2026-09-29
In Hickman, California, the Turlock Irrigation District has installed solar panels spanning sections of its irrigation canals as part of a pilot called Project Nexus. The project, inspired partly by tree-shaded canals Jordan Harris observed in France, aims to generate renewable electricity while shading the water from evaporation. UC Davis researchers project California's water supply could shrink up to 25% by 2050 due to climate-driven heat.
kqed.org
· 2026-09-22
GoKawiil