Author: solarenergy
Scientists have proposed a new system that uses excess PV energy in spring and autumn to charge underground thermal energy storage for later use in summer and winter. They simulated it at a school facility in Seoul, with a few optional thermal storage configurations. Energy savings were up to 39%. September 13, 2024 Lior KahanaAn international research team has developed a new PV-powered heat pump system that uses excess electricity generation to charge an underground thermal energy storage (UTES), which in turn improves the heat pump’s activity.Based on the simulation of three case studies, the system was able to save…
The 30 MW plant is the first grid-connected utility-scale flywheel energy storage project in China and the largest in the world. September 13, 2024 Marija Maisch Main components of a typical flywheelImage: Pjrensburg, Wikimedia CommonsBy ESS newsChina has connected its first large-scale standalone flywheel energy storage project in Changzhi city, Shanxi province.The Dinglun Flywheel Energy Storage Power Station started operations in July last year. China Energy Construction Shanxi Power Engineering Institute and Shanxi Electric Power Construction Company carried out the construction work. BC New Energy was the technology provider and Shenzhen Energy Group was the main investor.The facility has a…
Webasto, a German supplier and developer of vehicle-integrated PV in the automotive industry, unveiled a new solar roof system concept with components that are 40% lighter and a capacity of 350 kWh per year. September 12, 2024 Valerie ThompsonGermany-based Webasto, a developer of vehicle-integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) solutions and supplier to the automotive industry, unveiled a new car roof system concept designed to generate 350 kWh of electricity per year and reduce the weight of the roof system by up to 40% compared to with conventional designs.The new PV roof concept, called EcoPeak, is a VIPV system covering the rear window…
Polysilicon. Adobe Stock The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) today announced the latest changes regarding the statutory review of the tariff actions in the Section 301 Investigation into the Laws, Policies, and Practices of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Regarding to technology transfer and intellectual property and Innovation. The proposed changes announced in May 2024 were largely adopted, with several updates to strengthen actions to protect U.S. businesses and workers from China’s unfair trade practices after reviewing more than 1,100 comments from the public. “Today’s final tariff increases will target the PRC’s harmful policies and practices…
Investment confidence in Australia’s green hydrogen industry has received a $660 million boost following a joint statement with Germany to negotiate supply chains that will guarantee European buyers for Australian products. September 13, 2024 Ev Foley By pv magazine AustraliaThe Australian government has signed an agreement with Germany to negotiate new agreements green hydrogen supply chains and assurance for European buyers for Australian renewable hydrogen producers.The joint letter of intent to negotiate the AUD 660 million ($403.7 million) deal is also funded by both governments and will be part of the German government’s H2Global auction mechanism.Non-profit organization H2Global uses a…
Venice-based 9-tech has developed a thermomechanical process to recycle waste PV panels, with early results showing an 87% recovery efficiency from materials such as silicon, copper and silver. September 13, 2024 Lara MorandottiBy pv magazine ItalyThe Italian startup 9-tech is developing a thermomechanical recycling process for discarded PV panels. Initial results show a recovery efficiency of 87% for materials such as silicon, copper and silver, at competitive energy consumption.The recovered materials are said to have a purity level high enough for reuse in other applications. The process involves manual disassembly to remove the aluminum frame and junction box, followed by…
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) are each investing €100 million ($110.8 million) in small and medium-sized solar and onshore wind projects in South Africa. Together they have now committed €600 million under South Africa’s Embedded Generation Investment Program (EGIP). September 13, 2024 Patrick Jowett Image: Filiz Elaerts/UnsplashThe EIB and the DBSA are each investing €100 million in sustainable energy projects in South Africa’s private sector. The funding follows a €400 million funding round announced at COP27 in 2022 for DBSA’s embedded generation investment programme. The program focuses on small and medium-sized onshore…
The agreement covers 1.5 GW of BESS projects in the United Kingdom. Image: Aura Power. ESB Scotland has signed letters of intent with American Energy Storage Innovations (AESI) in relation to three battery energy storage system (BESS) projects currently under development. At the RE+ clean energy conference in Anaheim, California, it was announced that AESI will supply 1.5 GW of TeraStor BESS units worth the High Nether Faul Farm BESS project and the Gretna and Harker substations. The High Nether Faul Farm project, located in Lanarkshire, Scotland, is the largest planned installation of the three, with plans to host 1GW/2GWh…
Aiko Solar, GoodWe and Ginlong Solis have all reported a decline in net profit for the first half of 2024 due to overcapacity in the sector. September 13, 2024 Vincent Shaw Shenzhen Stock ExchangeImage: Jay Sterling Austin, Wikimedia CommonsAiko Solar says it has recorded a sharp decline in net profit and revenue in the first half of 2024. The company attributes the losses to significant asset impairments. The company reported a 232% increase in sales of p-type PERC and n-type ABC modules, totaling 12.84 GW and 1.62 GW respectively, while significant asset write-downs as a key factor in losses were…
A European research consortium has produced a prototype solid-state battery using a new manufacturing process that reportedly achieves high energy densities and can be implemented on modern lithium-ion battery production lines. September 13, 2024 Marian WilluhnBy pv magazine GermanyEuropean researchers have developed a prototype lithium-metal battery with a solid electrolyte, which offers a 20% higher energy density than current lithium-ion batteries.The ‘SOLiDIFY’ consortium, consisting of 14 European research institutes and partners, developed a pouch cell battery with an energy density of 1,070 Wh/L, compared to 800 Wh/L in standard lithium-ion batteries.The consortium created a pocket cell with an energy density…