Author: solarenergy

After years of conducting theoretical studies on gallium phosphide and titanium solar cells, a group of Spanish researchers have now attempted to build the first mid-band device based on this material combination and found that it can achieve improved external quantum efficiency at wavelengths above 550 nm. October 21, 2024 Emiliano Bellini A group of scientists led by the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Spain has for the first time produced an intermediate band (IB) solar cell based on gallium phosphide (Gap) and titanium (Ti). It is believed that the IB solar cells have the potential to… Shockley-Queisser limit –…

Researchers from Poland have investigated how textured glass used as the front of building-integrated photovoltaic panels affects performance. They have found that energy yield can be up to 5% lower compared to conventional glass-based modules, with reflection parameters up to 88% in the visible area. October 21, 2024 Lior Kahana Scientists from Poland’s John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin have analyzed the optical and electrical parameters of textured glass in integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems and found that this type of glass can significantly influence PV energy generation and increase light reflection. “In the case of installations in urban spaces,…

Martin Schachinger, the founder of pvXchange.com, reports that prices of tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar panels in Germany have fallen by an average of €0.010 ($0.0109)/W this month. Demand remains particularly weak in the residential sector, while complex authorization processes also pose a challenge for the commercial and industrial (C&I) and land-based segments. October 21, 2024 MARTIN SCHACHINGER, PVXCHANGE.com By pv magazine Germany Germany’s PV industry is struggling, with company bankruptcies piling up, reflecting a trend seen across all sectors. According to Deutsche WirtschaftsnachrichtenBankruptcies reached a peak not seen since 2010 in the third quarter of 2024, mainly due…

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has received proposals from 134 companies for a total of 3.6 GW. It says 259 projects from 127 developers have passed the technical bid evaluation and will be considered when financial proposals open on October 22. October 18, 2024 Patrick Jowett Image: Samrat Khadka, Unsplash The proposals received to develop 800 MW of grid-connected solar power in Nepal equate to more than four times the available capacity under the tender, according to new figures from the NEA. The state-owned company conducted the tender earlier this year. It says it has received proposals from a total…

Chinese EV battery giant CATL reports that profits have increased Chinese battery giant CATL reported a 26.0 percent profit increase in the third quarter on Friday, but still fell short of analyst expectations. Founded in 2011 in the Chinese east coast city of Ningde, CATL produces more than a third of the EV batteries sold worldwide. They are used in models from a long line of foreign manufacturers, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Toyota, Honda and Hyundai. A drop in the cost of raw materials used to make batteries has caused a price war among industry players, weighing on sales. In…

This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives the voice to Nataliia Cherepovska, communications manager at the Polish Menlo Electric. She says that especially in Ukraine, where she comes from, solar energy is more than a green initiative: it is a lifeline. “Solar-powered critical facilities continue to operate even if the power grid goes down, ensuring critical services,” she says. “Solar energy doesn’t just power buildings – it also fuels hope, security and progress.” October 18, 2024 The impact of solar energy extends beyond its environmental benefits. It is a catalyst for social transformation, especially in communities struggling with unreliable…

Avathonthe AI-driven company formerly known as SparkCognition has unveiled a new AI platform that aims to improve several tasks related to industrial businesses – maximizing the uptime of capital-intensive assets, enabling efficient production ramp-up and ensuring the safety of workers in industrial settings. With more than $100 trillion in aging infrastructure and mounting pressures from supply disruptions, labor shortages and evolving security threats, Avathon is poised to meet this moment through AI platforms. “Avathon has an ambitious vision and is investing significant capital to develop solutions that address the full scope of industry challenges, including the necessary energy transition to…

The C&I project, installed by Engie’s subsidiary Sun4business, includes solar panels from Dutch manufacturer Solarge that weigh just 7 kg/m2. October 18, 2024 Valerie Thompson A 2.3 MW rooftop PV plant has been inaugurated at a Belgian factory owned by Sabic, a Saudi Arabia-based chemical company. It was designed, financed and installed by Sun4Busines, the Belgian subsidiary of the French multinational utility company Engie. The factory has 4,600 PV panels made by Solarge, a Dutch module manufacturer opened its first factory in the Netherlands last year. “Sabic sees the use of lightweight solar panels on industrial roofs as an excellent…

Duke Energy’s Lake Placid solar power plant suffered an EF-2 tornado during Hurricane Milton, shredding an array of solar panels while leaving most of the facility intact. October 17, 2024 John Fitzgerald Weaver By pv magazine USA A tornado ripped through a solar power plant in central Florida. Footage released by Duke Energy shows an array of solar panels being torn from the single-axis trackers holding them in place. Local weather reports identified the storm as an EF-2 tornado, with winds between 110 and 130 miles per hour. According to the county sheriff’s department, the tornado struck before Hurricane Milton…

Sandia Evaluates Heat Shields for Mars Sample Return and Titan Missions Sandia National Laboratories’ National Solar Thermal Test Facility uses solar energy to simulate the intense heat experienced during atmospheric reentry and hypersonic flight. The latest tests are intended to support NASA missions, including the Mars Sample Return Campaign, a joint effort with the European Space Agency to bring rock samples from Mars to Earth for analysis. These samples could reveal evidence of ancient life and help prepare for future human missions to Mars. As part of the Mars Sample Return mission, a Sample Retrieval Lander would carry the heaviest…