Author: solarenergy

Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden recently developed a new method to efficiently recover precious metals from thin-film solar cells.Although thin film cells represent less than 10% of the solar cell market, they exhibit excellent performance under certain conditions and a wider range of applications attributed to their unique advantages over conventional silicon-based crystalline cells, such as bendability and adaptability. The production of CIGS cells, a leading variety of thin film technology, necessitates high demand for indium and silver. However, this process generates significant waste, including a combination of precious metals and hazardous substances.Photo: Chalmers Technical UniversityEffectively separating…

Researchers in Sweden have investigated incentive programs for rooftop PV and proposed adapting future schemes to different investor profiles. May 2, 2024 Lior KahanaResearchers from Chalmers University of Technology and PV consultancy Becquerel Sweden AB have investigated the impact of direct subsidies on the use of solar energy in Sweden. They have urged policymakers to tailor future programs to the different characteristics of investors.The group analyzed all incentives for rooftop PV between 2009 and 2021, based on an analysis of 79,336 applications for PV capital support granted by the government.“For the study, the dependent variable was willingness to invest in…

Dan Gulik Aspen power is partnering with a developer to acquire 20 community solar projects, located primarily in Illinois, with a total capacity of 19 MW. The portfolio consists of projects in various phases, including projects that are already under construction and will be put into use this year. “We are excited to announce plans to acquire these solar projects in Illinois,” said Dan Gulick of Aspen Power. “Expanding Aspen’s geographic portfolio plays an important role in advancing decarbonization and increasing access to green energy in new communities.” The company partners with Common Energy to…

This article first appeared in Wealth, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on April 22, 2024 – April 28, 2024When investment company New Forests Advisory Pty Ltd was founded, sustainably sourced timber was not common and the focus on sustainability and environmental, social and governance factors was not as intense as it is today. Founded by David Brand in Australia in 2005, the company provided institutional investors with exposure to investment returns from sustainable timber production and growing market demand for carbon, biodiversity and water strategies. Interest grew, but almost twenty years later the company’s investment strategy has become the center of…

Austrian manufacturer Aerocompact has developed the SN2 Q PLUS solar mounting system, which can support PV modules with dimensions up to 1,310 mm x 2,500 mm. It has an installation angle between 5 degrees and 10 degrees. February 29, 2024 Lior KahanaAerocompact has released a new variant of its Compactflat SN2 series of mounting systems, which allows solar panels to be installed in a portrait format.SN2 Q PLUS is a rail-based flat roof system. Itz can be used for the installation of solar panels from 950 mm to 1,310 mm x 1,550 mm to 2,500 mm.“With SN2 Q PLUS, we…

The 3.33 kW / 6.65 kWh lithium ferrous phosphate battery provides home backup and storage of rooftop solar generation. May 2, 2024 Ryan KennedyBy pv magazine USABriggs & Stratton has announced that it has released its SimpiPHI 6.6 Home Battery System, the latest version of its lithium-ferrous-phosphate (LFP) home battery.Each battery unit offers a capacity of 6.65 kWh and a charging power of 3.33 kW and a discharge power of 6.66 kW. The battery can be stacked up to three batteries providing a combined capacity of 19.95 kWh and a charging power of 9.98 kW and a discharge power of…

California is adding massive amounts of battery energy storage and its project pipeline shows no signs of slowing down. Batteries are playing an increasingly dominant role on the electricity grid, taking solar energy in the middle of the day and moving it to the evening peak, where they have become the largest single supplier. May 1, 2024 Marija MaischAt 10,379 MW, California has increased its battery capacity by 1,250% over the past five years – up from 770 MW in 2019. The state is expected to need 52 GW of energy storage to meet its ambitious goal of 100% clean…

Perhaps capitalizing on the recognized technological prowess of ‘Silicon Valley’, an industrial area in eastern Germany named itself ‘Solar Valley’ in the early 2000s after several solar manufacturers employed thousands of people just off the main road Sonnenallee (‘Sun Avenue’). Twenty years later, Solar Valley in Thalheim, Germany, has lost its appeal, with companies leaving the area as quickly as they established themselves. Now a new Solar Valley is forming in a surprising location: the largest oil and gas hub in the Western Hemisphere. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, the United States has recently become an attractive place for…

In the face of climate change, each of us holds the power to make a difference. With rising global temperatures, melting ice caps, and extreme weather events becoming the new normal, the need for action has never been more urgent. At the heart of the solution are two concepts that can significantly alter the course of our environmental impact: “Carbon Footprint” and “Carbon Credits.” A Carbon footprint is essentially the shadow our activities cast on the planet, measured in the amount of greenhouse gasses said activity produced. Our carbon footprint takes a comprehensive of our activities that spans everything from…

The partnership will fund early-stage Solar and BESS projects in the UK. Image: Triple Point Investment manager Triple Point and large-scale clean energy company Ethical Power have announced a new partnership designed to scale up the UK’s renewable energy infrastructure. A £7m debt facility from Triple Point will provide crucial financing for early-stage solar and battery energy storage (BESS) systems developed by Ethical Power. This step supports the national goal of a completely carbon-free energy network by 2035. Jessica Fisher, senior investment manager at Triple Point, said: “We are pleased to have agreed a partnership with Ethical Power given their…