Author: solarenergy
Researchers in Sweden have developed an air-based photovoltaic-thermal system that can preheat ventilation air and domestic hot water, reducing district heating demand by as much as 16% for ventilation and 7% for hot water, while also reducing peak heating loads in cold Scandinavian climates. March 9, 2026 Lior Kahana A research team led by scientists from Sweden’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology has investigated the use of air-based photovoltaic thermal (Air-PVT) technology in Scandinavian climates. “In a first phase, we are investigating Air-PVT, which is an unconventional solar technology to begin with. We wanted to show how upgrading from standard…
A team from the Institute of Materials Sciences of Seville, a joint center of the Spanish National Research Council and the University of Seville, has developed a hybrid energy harvesting device that can simultaneously generate electricity from both sunlight and rain. The concept is based on a thin multifunctional film that protects perovskite solar cells from harsh environmental conditions, while a triboelectric nanogenerator can capture the kinetic energy of raindrops as electrical output. The work focuses on halide perovskite solar cells, which are photovoltaic devices made of synthetic materials with a crystalline structure and strong light-absorbing properties. While silicon remains…
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) voted unanimously last week to repeal the state’s Renewable Energy Standards and Rates (REST) rules. In 2006, the state adopted a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that required utilities to obtain 15% of their energy from renewable sources by 2025, with 30% of that from distributed energy technologies. The ACC stated that the REST rules had served their purpose of expanding renewable energy production in Arizona and that the mandates were no longer necessary. Over the past two decades, ACC said utilities APS, TEP and UNSE have collected more than $2.3 billion in REST surcharges from…
Researchers tested a solar-powered system to gasify dried cattle manure, achieving higher energy recovery than grid-powered systems. Their techno-economic-ecological analysis shows that the approach can reduce emissions and be economically viable, although system usage and operational factors strongly influence profitability. March 9, 2026 Lior Kahana An international team of researchers has conducted an experimental analysis of solar PV integrated gasification of dried cattle manure. The gasification of dried cattle manure begins by feeding the dried biomass into a gasifier, where only a limited amount of oxygen or air is supplied. In the reactor, the material is exposed to high temperatures,…
The 3 kW N3300S inverter combines a pure sine wave inverter with an integrated MPPT solar charge controller for small residential and hybrid PV systems. The device supports multiple power sources, flexible battery chemistry and fast grid/off-grid switching. March 9, 2026 Emiliano Bellini China-based inverter and energy storage system supplier Hinen has unveiled a 3 kW off-grid inverter intended for residential solar and backup power applications. The device, called N3300S, integrates a solar inverter and a charge controller into a compact unit designed for small off-grid and hybrid PV systems. The inverter has a pure sine wave output and a…
By Martin McConnell March 9, 2026 This week on Projects Weekly, RWE Americas has announced the commissioning of more than 2 GW of renewable energy since the tail end of 2025. In Texas, Origis Energy has closed on $545 million in financing for a trio of projects, and Habitat Energy has announced a move into the U.S. with a co-located solar and storage optimization project in ERCOT’s South Zone. Also in the Lone Star State, CoServ and Base Power have announced a 100-MW residential battery program in Denton County. And North of the American border, GrandBridge and PowerBank have agreed…
Choosing a solar installer in North Carolina is one of the biggest home improvement decisions you will make. Both 8MSolar and Southern Energy Management (SEM) are Raleigh-based companies with real track records in the NC solar market. If you are weighing your options between the two, this comparison is here to help you make an informed decision with no pressure and no spin. Both companies care about clean energy and their customers. But when it comes to the details that matter most to homeowners like installation quality, engineering oversight, warranties, equipment options, and post-installation support, there are differences worth understanding.…
The UK solar market remains busy, but for very different reasons than this time last year. Of notifications about grid connections were issued four months ago nowand final dates are finally given to developers, buildouts can finally take place, and developers can connect projects that were mechanically completed up to twelve months ago. More than 4GWp is currently being built in the country. Some developers have continued with ‘business as usual’ – a risk as the first dates for distribution projects have yet to emerge and there are a number of projects receiving notifications after 2030. Solar Media Market Research…
Swedish thin-film solar panel manufacturer Midsummer has secured its largest ever order for production equipment, for a complete solar cell factory. It follows an initial order in May 2025 for a 15 MW line for the production of thin-film copper, indium, gallium and selenide solar cells (CIGS). March 9, 2026 Patrick Jowett Midsummer DUO Image: Midsummer Swedish specialist in the field of thin-film solar panels Midsummer has secured a follow-up order for machines for a factory for the production of thin-film solar cells. The contract, worth SEK 236 million ($14.8 million), is the largest order in the company’s history. It…
The “Battery Atlas 2026” report shows consolidation in the European battery market. More than 2,000 GWh of cell production capacity was announced in 2023, but the realistic forecast for early 2026 is around 1,190 GWh, of which around 673 GWh will be led by Asian companies. March 9, 2026 Pilar Sanchez Molina Image: RWTH Aachen University By ESS news RWTH Aachen University has published the third edition of the “Battery Atlas 2026”, produced by the Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) chair. The free online report maps the European value chain of lithium-ion batteries. Titled ‘Mapping the European Lithium-Ion Battery…