Inside The New Jersey Clean Energy Program, Making Thin Film Silicon Cells More Productive

Peterborough, New Hampshire [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] In this edition, Stephen Lacey reports on the status the New Jersey Clean Energy Program (CEP). The solar program-which is considered by many to be the best in the U.S.-has reached a significant turning point.

Because the CEP rebate system has been so popular, the flood of applications for solar projects has caused some backup. Therefore, the program is undergoing a major transition from rebates to Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs). Some say the transition is taking too long, which is hurting solar businesses in the state. But the Office of Clean Energy says it is moving as fast as possible to create the necessary regulations for an SREC system. Also in the program: Vikram Dalal, Director of Iowa State’s Microelectronics Research Center, is working on increasing the efficiency of thin film silicon solar cells. He says that thin film could soon be up to par with traditional crystalline silicon PV cells. We’ll speak with Vikram and get an update on his research. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

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