Author: solarenergy

The 9 cm² cell consists of an upper cell based on a perovskite absorber and a lower cell with a heterojunction (HJT) structure. The results are better than the 28.4% efficiency achieved by CEA and Enel in December for the same type of cell. September 4, 2024 Emiliano Bellini Researchers from the French National Institute of Solar Energy (INES) – a division of the French Alternative Energy and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) – and Italian renewable energy specialist Enel Green Power claim to have achieved an energy conversion efficiency of 29.8% for a dual-terminal perovskite-silicon solar cell.The cell consists of…

RE+ celebrates its 20th anniversary event, RE+24September 9-12 at the Anaheim Convention Center & Campus. RE+ maintains its reputation as the only clean energy event that unites decision makers and leaders in solar, energy storage, hydrogen, microgrids, EV charging and infrastructure, and wind energy. The event will include 40,000 visitors, 1,300 exhibitors and 370 educational seminars. RE+ 24 exhibitions, educational sessions and more than 500 speakers will cover a wide range of topics and sectors. Examples include artificial intelligence, the rise of microgrids, the legislative outlook, green workers, domestic manufacturing and supply chain, agrivoltaics, underserved clean energy communities, clean technology…

Dutch researchers used dynamic models to reveal the demand for silicon-based PV materials used in a wide range of silicon PV technologies, including perovskite-silicon tandem and back-contact modules. The model included calculating the impact of advances in module efficiency and material intensity, as well as closed-loop circular recycling. September 4, 2024 Valerie ThompsonA research group in the Netherlands used dynamic models to calculate the demand for silicon-based PV materials in future scenarios that include the deployment of perovskite-silicon tandem and back-contact technologies, implying that the goals of a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions are achieved. It included calculations with module efficiency…

Today, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a report with new data on the success of the 2023 program year of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Bonus Credit Program for Low-Income Communities. The report shows how the program reduces energy costs for American households as part of the Biden-Harris administration’s economic agenda. About $3.5 billion in investments in solar installations, made through the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program, is expected to finance the generation of nearly 2 billion kWh of clean electricity each year in underserved places. That’s equivalent to the total annual electricity use of 200,000 average-sized U.S. households, or about…

Residential and commercial solar installer Brooklyn SolarWorks today established a new specialty projects division, Solar for Construction, specializing in solar integration for new construction and renovation projects. This new service caters to architects, developers and general contractors seeking to incorporate solar energy into their projects. Brooklyn SolarWorks’ specialty projects division encompasses expert architects, construction managers and project consultants who engage on the front end of construction and renovation projects acting as consultants to ensure optimal design, efficient installation and timely completion, while guiding projects through the complexities of New York City’s building codes and permitting process. “We add value to…

Fond du Lac-based Holiday Ford recently installed several solar arrays on their properties, including the Holiday Ford Building and Collision Center, as well as an EV charging site. Holiday Automotive partnered with Plymouth-based Arch Solar C&I to install the solar arrays. Holiday Automotive’s project has double the impact of a typical system. The Holiday Ford facility is outfitted with a 460-panel array, while the Holiday Collision and Glass Center boasts an additional 396 panels. Overall, the 469-kilowatt system is estimated to offset over 50% of the power usage of both buildings. The solar portfolio uses bifacial panels tilted at a…

Toyo Solar has unveiled plans to open a 2 GW solar panel factory in the United States and has filed to raise $100 million for a future tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cell facility. September 4, 2024 Ryan KennedyBy pv magazine USABased in Japan Toyo Solar said it plans to open a 2 GW solar module factory in the United States. The plan includes expansions to add cell and wafer production in the future.The company said it plans to raise $100 million to support the plant. It expects a 70% return on investment in the first year of full…

Credit: AGT Advanced green technologies has completed two large solar-powered parking garages at the Raymond James Financial headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida. The sustainable energy project has 1.7 MW of solar energy capacity, spread over two carports built on top of existing parking garages. Phase one of construction included the P4 garage, with an addition of 1 MW of solar energy, and phase two included the P3 garage, with an addition of 700 kW. The solar structures provide an estimated 2.6 million kWh of power annually, meeting approximately 60% of the energy demand for Raymond James’ two headquarters buildings. Credit:…

There is a substantial need for large-scale BESS in Scotland to help offset regional supply and demand inequality in Britain. Image: Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit. The Scottish Government has approved the construction and operation of a 228 MW/456 MWh battery energy storage project (BESS) by developer Kona Energy. The 2-hour Smeaton BESS in East Lothian is strategically located to increase grid resilience and reduce grid constraints, Kona said. The nearby Torness nuclear power station will close in 2028, which will increase the usefulness of the Smeaton BESS, it added. Kona did not say when it expected the project to…

The solar industry continues to innovate and strive to improve the efficiency and reliability of photovoltaic systems. One of the most promising developments is the development of bifacial modules in combination with tracking systems. These technologies aim to capture more sunlight and convert it into electricity, making solar energy more effective and affordable. IEA PVPS Task 13 is at the forefront of this innovation, working to improve the performance and reliability of PV systems. This article explores the concept of bifacial tracking, its benefits, challenges, market developments and the key contributions of IEA PVPS Task 13. September 4, 2024 IEA-PVPSIEA…