Author: solarenergy
Direct observation of space charge layers in fuel cell electrolytes A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo has successfully observed the space charge layers in the solid electrolyte of a fuel cell, providing important insights into their existence and impact. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) have received attention for their potential to provide clean energy, due to their high efficiency and low carbon emissions. These fuel cells use yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and other oxygen ion conductors as solid electrolytes. A long-standing challenge is the significant drop in ionic conductivity at the interfaces between numerous crystal grains, known as…
Development plans for the Welsh Way Solar Farm. Image: Innovation. Solar energy and energy storage developer Innova has been granted planning permission for a new solar project in Gloucestershire. The 13 MWp Welsh Way Solar Farm, located near Fairford, was approved by Cotswold District Council for an operational life of 40 years. Although an estimated start date for construction of the 19.8 hectare site has not yet been announced, Innova predicts the site will be operational in 2026. According to Innova, the completed development will deliver a net biodiversity gain of 115.09% for the area, achieved through wildflower planting and…
PV data consultancy Wiki-Solar says the world’s top solar developers have added almost 50 GW of new solar capacity since the start of 2023, increasing their cumulative capacity to 146.7 GW – more than a fifth of the global total. November 1, 2024 Patrick Jowett The world’s 27 largest PV developers installed 48.6 GW of new solar capacity between early 2023 and the third quarter of 2024, according to an analysis of the world’s 27 largest PV developers. Wiki-Solar. The figure includes 451 new utility-scale projects (over 4 MW) around the world, representing almost 50% growth from the 100 GW…
With hailstorms severely damaging solar panels in Australia and the United States – including golf ball-sized hail at the 350 MW Fighting Jays project in Texas in March 2024 – insurers are increasing premiums and reducing or canceling hail coverage. Everoze partner Simon Mason discusses the challenges the sector faces in minimizing exposure to hail risks. November 1, 2024 pv magazine Printed edition 24/10 from pv magazine Modules are the main point of failure for solar projects during hailstorms. With wafers increasing in size from M6 (166 x 166 mm) to M10 (182 x 182 mm) and G12 (210 x…
Researchers from the two companies have built a lightweight and flexible silicon heterojunction (HJT) PV panel that measures 563mm x 584mm and weighs just 218.5g. November 1, 2024 Valerie Thompson Japanese investment holding company Softbank is developing a wide range of technologies for its planned ultra-lightweight high-altitude platform station (HAPS), a solar-powered aircraft intended to operate at an altitude of 20 km above the Earth’s surface and carry telecommunications base stations as a base station. load. One of the research projects completed in March this year focused on a silicon PV panel weighing less than 700 g/m2, inspired by the…
Solving the interface mystery in organic solar cells makes them more efficient New research from North Carolina State University provides a deeper insight into what exactly happens in organic solar cells when light is converted into electricity. Researchers developed a new method that visualizes interfaces where sunlight’s energy is converted into electrical charges and used the findings to develop a set of design rules that can improve the efficiency of organic solar cells. Organic solar cells are made with carbon-based polymer materials that have the potential to be cheap, can be made from materials that are abundant on Earth, and…
By controlling the secondary growth of lead iodide, an international group of scientists has built a perovskite solar cell with low non-radiative recombination and low defect density. The device reportedly showed superior stability in both humidity and thermal stability tests compared to reference cells. November 1, 2024 Emiliano Bellini An international research team has fabricated a perovskite solar cell that reportedly exhibits lower non-radiative recombination and lower defect density. “Our study introduces an innovative strategy for secondary growth of lead iodide (PbI2) and π-π stacking regulation that improves the photovoltaic efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells,” said the study’s…
Researchers from Greece have developed a PV prediction technique for prosumer schemes using federated learning, a machine learning method that sends local model updates to a central server for correction. Their simulations show surprising results compared to centralized forecasts. November 1, 2024 Lior Kahana Scientists from Greece’s National Technical University of Athens have proposed a new PV prediction technique that protects the privacy of prosumers. Efficient prosumer schemes rely on accurate solar production forecasting models, which require extensive data, making privacy and utility trade-offs essential. The researchers’ approach to balancing this tradeoff is based on federated learning (FL). “The FL…
According to GRYD, the system has already reduced residents’ energy bills by 15%. Image: GRYD Energy. A project launched by solar technology company GRYD Energy, in partnership with BK Developments, will test smart solar and battery storage systems for new-build homes at no upfront cost to the developer or homeowner. Tested at three homes in St. Ives, Cornwall, an installation with a capacity of 11.5 kWp will meet 70% of residents’ energy demand. GRYD finances and maintains the solar hardware and offers a guaranteed fixed monthly power price that will not increase over the 25-year life of the system. Additional…
The company is targeting 50 MW of installations under the new service. Image: Flogas. Irish energy company Flogas has unveiled ambitious plans to deliver €50m (£41.87m) of solar projects over the next five years under its new solar-as-a-service programme. Solar as a Service (SaaS) offerings allow companies to reduce emissions and energy bills by installing rooftop and ground-mounted solar at their locations, without the need for upfront capital. In partnership with Alternative Energy Ireland (AEI) and Wewise, the SaaS offering provides tailor-made financing packages, installation, real-time monitoring and maintenance for on-site solar projects. Steven Bray, managing director at AEI, explained…