Author: solarenergy

Fraunhofer ISE researchers have developed a new metallization process that can produce ultra-fine line contacts for solar cells. The proposed technique is based on the so-called LIDE technology and can reportedly help increase the overall efficiency of PV devices. January 24, 2025 Emiliano Bellini A team of researchers from Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) and German technology company LPKF Laser & Electronics SE have developed a low-temperature metallization process to print ultra-fine metal contact fingers used in solar cells. Narrower ultra-fine line contacts can reduce the shadow on the front of solar cells, improving their overall…

Solar and storage projects in West Burton and Heckington Fen are securing development consents from the UK government. The two plants are the latest in a series of major solar projects approved since the Labor government took office in July 2024. January 24, 2025 Matthew Lynas The British government has ambitious targets for solar energy generation in Britain. Image: Des Blenkinsopp, Geograph Britain and Ireland, via Wikimedia CommonsCC-BY-SA-2.0 Two solar energy projects in England with a total capacity of almost 1 GW, plus co-located storage, have been given the green light by the British government. Both projects have been granted…

An installation of KSI in New Jersey. The Murphy Administration today celebrated a major milestone in New Jersey’s clean energy transition. In December 2024, the state achieved 5 GW of installed solar capacity, more than doubling solar energy production since 2017. This significant achievement underscores New Jersey’s role as a national leader in climate action and clean energy innovation, reinforcing Governor Phil Murphy’s commitment to protect New Jersey from harmful emissions, increase affordability, revitalize communities and catalyze economic development. “With this solar milestone, we are building a strong foundation for renewable energy as we combat the immediate threat of climate…

A European team develops technologies and processes to show how discarded PV panels and batteries for electric vehicles (EV) can be used in three distributed energy market segments: Agrivoltaic energy, plug-in PV for households and cheap solutions. It will also demonstrate efficient recycling processes for critical raw materials that are recovered from panels and batteries that cannot be reused. January 24, 2025 Valerie Thompson A European team develops technologies and processes to reuse End-of-Life (EOL) solar panels and batteries for electric vehicles (EV) as distributed energy solutions in three market segments. The project includes demonstration plans for a medium-sized farm…

NHPC has allocated 1.2 GW of solar with 600 MW/1,200 MWH to storage projects at an average rate of INR 3.09 ($0.036)/kWh. January 24, 2025 Uma Gupta By PV Magazine India NHPC has unveiled the results of a tender to select developers for 1.2 GW of grid-tied solar projects. NTPC renewable energy has secured the bulk of 300 MW by quoting INR 3.09/kWh. Other winners for this award include Jindal India Renewable Energy with 180 MW, Kolar Solar Power (Rays Power Infra) with 150 MW and Onix renewable with 100 MW. NHPC has allocated the rest of the capacity to…

The programs Photovoltaic Power Systems (IEA PVPS) and Wind Energy Systems (IEA Wind) of the International Energy Agency (IEA) have issued updated guidelines on conducting system impact studies in energy systems with a high proportion of solar and wind energy. January 24, 2025 Patrick Jowett IEA PVPS And IEA winds have updated their guidelines on conducting system impact studies of solar wind energy systems. The “Recommended working methods for wind/PV integration studiesThe report deals with practical experiences and methodologies for designing and conducting integration studies. It is the third edition of the report, after a first publication in 2013 and…

Lightsource bp announced it has completed the 187-MW Peacock solar project, located in San Patricio County, Texas, that will provide power directly to Gulf Coast Growth Venture’s nearby manufacturing complex. “The Peacock Solar project adds to Lightsource bp’s operational fleet in Texas, helping reduce carbon emissions while diversifying the state’s energy mix to enhance security and reliability,” said Helen Brauner, Lightsource bp USA interim chief operating officer. “By layering on biodiversity and agrivoltaics initiatives, projects like Peacock offer a win-win for both the environment and local communities.” Peacock is expected to generate more than 360,000 MWh of electricity annually to…

Global Green Energy Push Likely to Continue Despite Trump Climate Retreat: UN Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement should not slow the global momentum toward renewable energy investments that the deal created, the UN said on Wednesday. “I believe that many countries will continue to move toward green energy,” said Celeste Saulo, head of the United Nations World Meteorological Organization’s weather and climate agency. As he took office Monday, President Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Paris accord adopted by 195 parties to curb greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change.…

Researchers have developed a new energy system consisting of PVT panels, reverse osmosis, reverse electrodialysis and proton exchange membranes. The proposed setup can reportedly produce 18.78 kg/day of hydrogen and 120.6 m3/day of freshwater. January 24, 2025 Lior Kahana Scientists from Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar have designed a new solar-powered system for brine management and hydrogen production. Using the Engineering Equation Solver (EES) software, the team simulated the setup and performed a thermodynamic assessment involving energy, entropy and exergy balances. “If not managed properly, brine poses serious ecological risks to the marine environment. On land, improper brine disposal…

Researchers from the China University of Petroleum have synthesized a new hydrogel-electrolyte that, in combination with a Prussian blue cathode, achieved excellent energy density and recyclability in hybrid sink-ion batteries. January 24, 2025 Marija Maisch Structural network of the SN-SA-PSN hydrogelelectolyt that shows covalent, ionic and hydrogen bonds, making a high ionic conductivity and homogeneous zinc deposit possible Image: China University of Petroleum By ESS news Watery, not lithium -based, rechargeable batteries are promising candidates for large -scale energy storage systems of the next generation due to their safety references and low costs. However, its commercialization is impeded by a…