Author: solarenergy

Researchers simulated the operation of bifacial PV and reversible proton exchange membrane fuel cells in restaurants in five different US states. Taking into account the varying yields of bifacial PV, they found that the LCOE was only $0.029 per kWh. October 18, 2024 Lior Kahana An international research group has simulated the coupling of bifacial PV panels with proton exchange membrane (PEM) reversible fuel cells (RFC) to power commercial buildings. The simulation was conducted at five locations in the United States: Tucson, Arizona; Los Angeles, California; Denver, Colo.; Dallas, Texas; and Minneapolis, Minnesota. “One of the most surprising results of…

Leadership from the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the Red Hook Central School District gathered at Mill Road Elementary School to announce the completed installation of three rooftop solar systems at the school’s elementary, middle and high schools. district. The nearly $1.7 million solar panels have a combined DC power of 600 kW and support New York State’s goal to generate 70% of New York’s electricity from renewable energy by 2030 and transition to a carbon-free energy system by 2040 electricity grid. “NYPA’s partnership with Red Hook schools reflects our shared commitment to sustainability and educating the next generation…

The Institute for Essential Services Reform says Indonesia’s solar industry has suffered a downturn in the past two years, but policy reforms should accelerate solar deployment in the coming years. The think tank’s latest report states that there are currently 16.92 GW of projects in the pipeline across the country. October 18, 2024 Patrick Jowett According to figures from the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), the total installed solar capacity in Indonesia was 717.71 MW in August. The Jakarta-based think tank recently published its “Indonesia Solar Energy Outlook 2025report. Fabby Tumiwa, executive director of IESR, said Indonesia needs to…

An Australian Research Council-funded report co-authored by the Sydney-based University of New South Wales and UK charity SolarAid says the off-grid solar sector should do more to improve its product repair initiatives. October 18, 2024 Ev Foley By pv magazine Australia An Australian Research Council-funded report co-authored by the Sydney-based University of New South Wales (UNSW) and UK-based charity SolarAid has said the off-grid solar sector should do more to improve its product repair initiatives. The ‘State of Repair In the Off-Grid Solar Sector’ report states that since the early 2000s, 375 million solar kits have been sold and distributed…

China’s Hithium has joined forces with a local partner to set up a 5 GWh production facility in Saudi Arabia. It has also unveiled its specialized energy storage solutions tailored for desert applications. October 18, 2024 Vincent Shaw By ESS news Chinese battery energy storage company Hithium and Saudi company MANAT, founded by former chief engineer of Saudi Aramcos Nabilah AlTunisi, announced earlier this week the establishment of a joint venture – Hithium MANAT, during the 2024 Solar and Storage Live KSA event in Riyadh , Saudi Arabia. . The new partnership aims to establish a battery energy storage system…

Bright future for solar panels and screens with new nanocrystal research Researchers from Curtin University have made a major discovery that could improve everyday technology, from TV screens to solar panels and medical diagnostics. The study, led by Associate Professor Guohua Jia, revealed how the number of molecules, known as ligands, that attach to zinc sulphide nanocrystals can be increased by manipulating the shape of these tiny particles. Associate Professor Jia from Curtin’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences explained that ligands are essential for influencing the behavior and performance of zinc sulphide nanocrystals in various applications. “Ligands play an…

JinkoSolar and Trina Solar separately reported that field testing shows that tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar panels outperform p-type back-contact PV modules in terms of monthly power generation. October 18, 2024 Emiliano Bellini Chinese solar panel manufacturers JinkoSolar and Trina Solar each published white papers this week demonstrating that their TOPCon panel technologies offer superior energy yield compared to back-contact (BC) module technologies. In its case study, JinkoSolar explained that tests took place at its factory in Kagoshima, Japan, from September 12 to October 11, with the results confirmed by Germany’s TÜV Nord. “The TOPCon product showed an average…

The US-based automotive manufacturing company said its new storage system offers the ability to integrate with PV systems. It can be scaled up to reach a capacity of up to 35.4 kWh, which the company says would allow for around 20 hours of storage. October 18, 2024 Emiliano Bellini Front view of the GM Energy PowerBank, available in 10.6 kWh (pictured) and 17.7 kWh battery capacity variants, can power a home in the event of an outage or help offset higher electricity rates during peak demand Image: General engines By ESS news US-based automotive manufacturing company General Motors (GM) has…

International Finance Corp. (IFC) and Raiffeisen Bank International have signed a €90 million ($97.8 million) debt package to support the development of a 225 MW facility in northeastern Bulgaria. October 17, 2024 Patrick Jowett Image: Anton Atanasov, Unsplash The IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and Vienna-based Raiffeisen Bank International are financing the development of a major solar energy project in Bulgaria. The debt package, totaling €90 million, consists of €43 million from the IFC, consisting of €30 million from its own account and up to €13 million from its Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Program. Raiffeisen Bank International will…

The German government has awarded a financing package of 310 million euros to chemical manufacturer BASF for the construction of an industrial heat pump with a capacity of up to 500,000 tons of steam per year. It will use residual heat from steam crackers for CO2-free power production. October 18, 2024 Patrick Jowett Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, presented the official notification of financing to Uwe Liebelt, President European Verbund Sites, BASF SE. Image: BMWK / Andreas Mertens The German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate is providing German chemical company BASF with up…