Author: solarenergy

Scientists have used hydrometallurgical and electrochemical processes to extract pure silver from solar cells. The proposed technique also uses a method known as electrodeposition redox replacement, which reportedly increases the silver recovery rate. August 26, 2024 Lior KahanaResearchers from Italy’s University of Camerino have developed a new way to recover silver from discarded solar cells.By combining hydrometallurgical and electrochemical processes, they were reportedly able to recover pure silver with an efficiency of 98%. Hydrometallurgical processes, or leaching, use aqueous solutions to extract metals, while electrochemical processes refer to the use of electric currents to drive reactions in metals.“Recovery of raw…

Helexia, a specialist in solar roofs and PV carports, has announced the completion of an additional €60 million ($67.1 million) financing facility. The funds will support a portfolio of 290 solar roof and carport projects in Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Portugal and Spain. August 26, 2024 Patrick Jowett Image: Chirayu Trivedi, UnsplashFrance’s Helexia, a service provider for on-site roofs and solar carport installations, has secured an additional €60 million financing facility. The financing round was led by French banks Bpifrance and La Banque Postale, with participation from La Banque Postale Asset Management.It will support a portfolio consisting of 290 operational…

The Bulgarian government has approved a memorandum of understanding with Turkey’s Smart Solar Technologies AD for the construction of a solar cell and panel factory in southern Bulgaria. August 26, 2024 Patrick Jowett Image: Luba Ertel, UnsplashThe Bulgarian Council of Ministers has signed an agreement with the Turkish Smart Solar Technologies AD for the construction of a new solar cell and panel factory.The company will build the production facility in the village of Elenino in southern Bulgaria, creating 812 new jobs. The government has identified the project as a priority investment, and a multi-agency working group will oversee its development.According…

Research into disordered rock salts leads to battery breakthrough Over the past decade, disordered rock salt has been studied as a potential breakthrough cathode material for use in lithium-ion batteries and a key to creating low-cost, high-energy storage for everything from cell phones to electric vehicles to renewable energy storage. A new MIT study ensures that the material lives up to this promise. Led by Ju Li, the Tokyo Electric Power Company Professor of Nuclear Engineering and professor of materials science and engineering, a team of researchers describes a new class of partially disordered rock salt cathodes integrated with polyanions…

Indian mining company Hindustan Zinc will collaborate with Bangalore-based Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) to develop new zinc alloys for use as anodes in zinc ion batteries and electrolytes for use in rechargeable batteries. August 26, 2024 pv magazine Image: PIB Delhi, Government of IndiaBy pv magazine ESS NewsLess than a month after announced its strategy To focus on developing new zinc applications in batteries, mineral miner Hindustan Zinc is entering into a partnership with an Indian research institute.The company, which is the world’s second-largest integrated zinc producer, has access to vast domestic zinc reserves and plans…

UK-based Aggreko has introduced two new mid-range battery storage solutions – 250 kW/575 kWh and 500 kW/250 kWh, catering for a variety of on- and off-grid applications. August 26, 2024 Marija Maisch By ESS newsggreko has unveiled the latest additions to its battery energy storage offering, specifically designed for on- and off-grid applications in the North American market.The 250 kW/575 kWh And 500 kW/250 kWh Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) systems are plug-and-play solutions, which can be operated in island mode or used in hybrid power plants for a wide range of commercial and industrial applications.The containerized nature of the batteries…

The British manufacturer said the new Ecomod products have sizes ranging from 14 kW to 70 kW and a coefficient of performance of up to 4.85. The systems can reportedly reach a supply temperature of 75°C. August 26, 2024 Emiliano Bellini Heating specialist Ideal Heating has launched a new series of monobloc air-water heat pumps for applications in commercial buildings.“Built with larger buildings in mind, these air-water systems can be cascaded to achieve the higher output required for commercial installations,” the manufacturer said in a statement.The new product is available in three versions with sizes of 14-18 kW, 26-32 kW…

Scientists have used different levels of Al₂O₃ and ZnO paraffin wax to improve the electrical and thermal performance of a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) system. They have also developed a prediction model for this specific combination of hybrid nano phase change materials. August 26, 2024 Lior KahanaResearchers from Bangladesh and Australia have explored hybrid nano phase change materials (HNPCMs) for PVT applications. They used paraffin wax as a phase change material (PCM), which incorporated different levels of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. They also developed a prediction model.“In this study, Al2O3 and ZnO at different concentrations are incorporated with…

Ensuring a Sustainable Future with Solar Energy Solar panels have become increasingly popular as a sustainable energy solution, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuels. As the world shifts towards renewable energy, solar panels are being installed on rooftops, in fields, and even integrated into everyday products. The surge in solar panel installations underscores the importance of understanding their lifecycle, especially what happens when they reach the end of their lifespan. Knowing what happens to solar panels after their useful life is crucial for several reasons. First, it helps ensure that the environmental benefits of solar energy are not…

Terahertz spectroscopy provides real-time insight into perovskite aging Hybrid perovskites are promising materials for advanced electronic devices such as solar cells and LEDs. However, their limited lifespan poses a significant challenge for commercial deployment. As these materials age, their performance deteriorates, creating obstacles for researchers and manufacturers alike. Addressing this problem requires not only improving the stability of perovskites, but also developing techniques to monitor their aging process in real time, which is crucial for improving their durability and efficiency. A recent study led by Prof. Yiwen Sun at Shenzhen University has introduced a new approach to observing the aging…