Author: solarenergy

Brick-based super battery that will revolutionize electric cars In ten years, solid-state batteries derived from rock silicates will be a greener, more efficient and safer alternative to today’s lithium-ion batteries. Researchers at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) have patented an innovative superionic material made from potassium silicate, a mineral that can be extracted from ordinary rock. Currently, the range and charging speed of electric car batteries are limited by lithium-ion technology, which also poses environmental and supply chain challenges. Lithium is costly, harmful to the environment and in short supply, potentially hindering widespread adoption of electric vehicles. As demand…

German PV installers have told the story pv magazine that consolidation is already underway in the housing sector.“The consolidation is in full swing and I am curious to see who will still be there at the end of the year,” said a director, on condition of anonymity.Installers face significant challenges, including staff deployment, short wait times for commissioning and declining demand due to higher interest rates, inflation and high electricity prices.“There is an urgent need for additional incentives,” said another director. He warned that the PV market could face consolidation and price wars. He also said major online providers could…

The World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat has criticized China for a perceived lack of transparency in its state aid framework and urged the country to improve its subsidy reporting process. July 22, 2024 Emiliano Bellini Image: ILO Historical Photo Archive, Wikimedia, E.MurrayThe WTO has released a report on China’s trade policies, concluding that the country lacks transparency regarding subsidies for its industries, including solar panel production. In the 173-page “Trade policy evaluation”, the WTO Secretariat noted that many members have called for a comprehensive overhaul to increase the transparency of China’s state aid framework.“There remained significant skepticism among members about…

South Staffordshire Council has agreed to a 22.5MW solar PV power plant developed by Renewable Connections, a solar and battery developer founded by Armstrong Capital Management. Renewable Connections submitted the application for Deepmore Solar Farm to the municipality in October 2023. The site will be in Four Ashes, South Staffordshire and construction will start in 2025. A community fund of more than £45,000 is involved. The £2,000/MW fund will be paid to Brewood and Coven Parish Council once the solar farm is powered, with a further £2,000/year indexed contribution to Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and £1,000/year indexed to a local registered…

Palm Desert-based solar installer Renova Energy sent a letter to all customers last week saying it will temporarily halt all operations in California and Arizona after SunPower, one of its partial investors, limited its own operations. Renova CEO Vincent Battaglia emphasized in the letter that the halt is temporary and would be remedied in the coming weeks, “once our partners/debtors take proper steps.” But SunPower stock has fallen 73% in a week, with analysts predicting this is the beginning of a “winddown process” for SunPower, according to Yahoo Finance. SunPower is also a partial investor in residential solar companies Freedom…

Clearway Energy Group announced it has closed more than $700 million in construction financing and has begun construction on two major energy projects in Fresno and San Bernardino counties, California. Luna Valley is a 200 MW solar project in Fresno County. Daggett Storage is a 113.5 MW standalone battery energy storage project in San Bernardino County and is the final phase of the 482 MW Daggett Solar + 394 MW Storage complex. “Luna Valley and Daggett 1 represent two important steps forward on California’s path to a reliable, affordable and clean electric grid,” said Brooks Friedeman, VP of Capital Markets…

Researchers from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have gained insight into the microstructure of perovskite. After removing the grain surface concavities in the crystalline grains of perovskite, they fabricated a solar cell with improved efficiency maintenance under standardized thermal cycling, moist heat, and maximum power tracking tests. July 22, 2024 Patrick Jowett Image: School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and TechnologyScientists from the HKUST’s School of Engineering have revealed the existence and impact of surface voids on individual crystal grains of perovskite thin films.They claimed in “Elimination of grain surface concavities for…

The Hungarian government is investing another HUF 30 billion ($83.9 million) in its HUF 75.8 billion rebate program for residential solar and storage systems. The scheme, which launched in January, is now expected to support more than 25,000 households. July 17, 2024 Patrick Jowett Image: Szabolcs Toth, UnsplashThe Hungarian Ministry of Energy has announced further funding for its Napenergia Plusz programme, a subsidy scheme for the installation of residential solar panels and storage systems.The program started in January with a budget of HUF 75.8 billion and offers subsidies of up to HUF 5 million per home. The first aid decisions…

Fimer has launched a process to sell itself to new owners. Interested investors have until August 31 to submit bids. July 22, 2024 Lara Morandotti By pv magazine ItalyThe managers of the Italian inverter manufacturer Fimer have started a procedure for its sale.Under Italian law, extraordinary management procedures are used for large insolvent companies to protect assets and employees through continued or converted business activities.The sales process aims to identify parties interested in submitting binding bids for the unitary and inseparable transfer of the Fimer business complex to a new owner.“The procedure and requirements are described in detail in the…

HKUST researchers reveal hidden structure for improved perovskite solar cells Researchers from the School of Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have discovered surface voids on individual crystal grains in perovskite thin films. This fundamental discovery reveals significant effects on the properties and reliability of the films. Using this knowledge, the team developed a new method to improve the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells by eliminating these concavities in the grain surface. Perovskite solar cells are a promising technology that could replace silicon solar cells in several applications, including power grid, portable energy,…