Scientist Myles Steiner has announced that the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has set a new world record at 31.1 percent for a two-junction solar cell. The research team at NREL beat Alta Devices` previous record by 0.3 percent.

Some homeowners are turned off by how solar panels affect the appearances of their homes. Building-integrated photovoltaics — basically solar panels incorporated into the structure of new buildings — can eliminate the negative visual impact of traditional solar panels, improve appearance, and boost resale value.

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), about three in four residential buildings have physical restrictions to going solar. However, things are changing, and in the last several years or so, “shared solar” has started to take root in many states across the country. What exactly is shared solar?