I don't think people fully appreciate how apocalyptic things are for US science. I haven't received any new funding since 2024, but I'm still ok since grants are typically for 3 years. This means next year I will be completely out of funding and will have to fire everyone in the lab. It's not great.

In my 25-year career, I’ve never NOT had funding. I typically have 4 to 8 grants, which you need if you’re running an observation science program and have a technician, students, and postdocs.

Some recent breakthroughs and milestones in solar energy:

"130% Efficiency" via Singlet Fission (March 2026)
Researchers at Kyushu University and Johannes Gutenberg University used a molybdenum-based "spin-flip" metal complex to break past the traditional Shockley-Queisser limit. Through **singlet fission**, a single photon generates *two* energy carriers instead of one. It's still proof-of-concept, but it's the first time anyone's shown you can capture and multiply photon energy this way. Could also ripple into LEDs and quantum tech.

30.02% Triple-Junction Perovskite-Silicon Record (March 2026)
EPFL and CSEM hit a certified world record with a **perovskite-silicon triple-junction cell**, up from the previous 27.10%. They pulled it off by improving perovskite crystal growth, adding reflective nanoparticles, and developing a new three-step fabrication process. Published in *Nature*. The big deal: this is on an *industrializable* platform, not just exotic lab conditions. Triple-junction cells theoretically could exceed 40%.

Perovskite-Silicon Tandems Hitting Commercial Viability
LONGi holds the overall record at **34.85% efficiency** (certified by NREL, April 2025), and Oxford PV has already shipped its first commercial 24.5% modules to US utility customers. These tandem cells stack a perovskite layer on top of silicon, capturing more of the light spectrum.

AI-Optimized Solar Grids
On the infrastructure side, 2026 is seeing a push toward AI-managed solar farms that handle grid flexibility, demand response, and predictive maintenance.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260328024517.htm
https://interestingengineering.com/energy/quantum-yield-singlet-fission-ceiling-solar-cells
https://www.miragenews.com/solar-cells-achieve-130-efficiency-breakthrough-1646292/
https://news.solardukan.com/perovskite-tandem-solar-cells-efficiency-record-2026/
https://www.fluxim.com/research-blogs/perovskite-silicon-tandem-pv-record-updates
https://energy-solutions.co/articles/sub/perovskite-solar-cells-breakthrough
https://solarquarter.com/2026/01/23/high-efficiency-tandem-solar-technology-opens-path-for-space-energy-systems/
https://www.sunpalsolar.com/solar-energy-research-breakthroughs-changing-the-game-in-2026/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/scientists-breakthrough-could-revolutionize-solar-133000280.html

Yes, today’s forecast was largely a bust. No bones about it. The model forecasts were predicted on there being breaks in the clouds and enough sunlight to heat up and destabilize the atmosphere, which obviously didn’t happen. But, forecasters thought (as did I) that wind shear at peak levels would compensate for that, and again, that didn’t happen either.

There have been a lot of swings and misses in the last two years from the forecast models, and I lay a lot of blame on this regime gutting NOAA’s budget, laying off hundreds of NOAA employees, defunding weather research, and ordering the military not to share satellite data with NOAA. You can’t have that happen and expect forecast quality not to suffer.

Video indicates #DeltaAirlines is providing service to #ICE , removing kids from families in #MSP and transporting them to be held in #Texas

https://gillianbrockell.com/video-proves-delta-flew-liam-ramos-and-his-dad-to-ice-detention-center/

(if you have a Sky Miles account, they should hear from you. the direct line is +1-800-323-2323 and webform here: https://www.delta.com/us/en/need-help/overview?commentComplaintsForm)

"Healthy people cost less.
Educated people contribute more.
Housed people are more stable.

...in a healthy society there are no "undeserving".
There are just people."