Author: solarenergy

The nanocellulose film can be used for light management because the light scattering is adjustable. It also exhibits a transmission of more than 80% at 550 nm. January 14, 2025 Lior Kahana An international group of researchers has developed an environmentally friendly multifunctional nanocellulose (NC) hybrid film for both PV and packaging applications. In the context of PV, the ability to adjust the light scatter or haze of the film can be useful for lighting management and as a protection system against lighting effects. Nanocellulose is a cellulosic material that has been processed at the nanoscale and usually comes from…

Researchers from the UAE and Singapore have investigated how wind-induced vibrations increase mechanical stress in PV panels and found that these vibrations can lead to microcracks, more serious mechanical failures, misalignments and ultimately system collapse. January 14, 2025 Emiliano Bellini An international research team investigated the impact of wind-induced vibrations on solar panels and found that wind-induced stress can have significant mechanical consequences for PV arrays, especially those with large panels. “The first torsion frequencies of the tracker system in the range of 4 Hz to 5 Hz were observed due to twist and torsion using modal analysis,” the study’s…

The first floating solar project built in Utah is located on a reservoir atop a mountain at an elevation of 7,000 ft. This 587.5-kW solar project is powering a water treatment facility serving Park City, a skiing destination that draws millions of visitors annually. D3Energy and Ameresco built Utah’s first floating solar project on a retention pond atop a mountain. D3Energy Floating solar was Mountain Regional Water Special Service District’s (MRW) first choice for meeting its renewable energy goals. Land is valuable in Park City, both in cost and its contribution to the natural beauty of the place. Floating solar…

The purchase is part of Elgin’s transition to an independent energy producer. Image: Elgin Energy Solar and storage developer Elgin Energy has acquired a large solar and storage portfolio from a fund managed by Foresight Group. The 318 MW portfolio consists of six sites across the UK in various stages of development. Of the newly acquired projects, four – with a combined capacity of 164 MW – won contracts in the most recent Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 6 (AR6), which took place in autumn 2024. Elgin said it expects construction will begin on a number of projects in…

The proposed bilayer is used as a hole contact material that provides improved adhesive contact with the perovskite film. It consists of a self-assembling monolayer of phosphonic acid with an upper layer made of an organic compound known as triphenylamine. January 14, 2025 Emiliano Bellini Scientists from Xi’an Jiaotong University have fabricated an inverted perovskite solar cell that uses a self-assembled bilayer (SAB) as a hole-selective molecular contact. Inverted perovskite cells have a device structure known as “pin”, where hole-selective contact p is at the bottom of the intrinsic perovskite layer “i” with electron transport layer n at the top.…

A new report says sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), made from abundant materials, could help India reduce its dependence on imports to meet its energy storage needs. January 14, 2025 Uma Gupta By pv magazine India SIBs offer India an opportunity to build a domestic energy storage ecosystem due to its abundant raw materials compared to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), according to a report from the Britain-India bilateral program ASPIRE, led by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in collaboration with the Indian Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. KPMG served as lead advisor to the…

GoodWe says the ES Uniq series hybrid inverters are suitable for on-grid and off-grid applications, with a maximum efficiency of 97.6% and a European efficiency of 96.2%. January 14, 2025 Emiliano Bellini ES Uniq hybrid inverter Image: pv magazine Chinese inverter manufacturer GoodWe has launched a new hybrid inverter line for residential PV systems at the World Future Energy Summit (WFSE), currently taking place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. “The product is equipped with a data display that shows energy generation data,” a spokesperson said pv magazine. “This ensures that PV system owners can monitor their installations, even in…

By Brad Kramer January 14, 2025 Funded by the US Department of Energy Smart charging technical assistance and designation program is now available in all 50 states. Charging Smart provides free technical assistance to help local governments accelerate the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure. By removing barriers to electric vehicle deployment, participating communities can unlock economic development, cleaner air and other local benefits while maintaining project safety. Local governments can earn Bronze, Silver or Gold designations, gaining national recognition of their status as an EV-friendly community. Charging Smart initially launched in a pilot phase in 2023, providing…

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is investigating a fraudulent scheme worth €340,000, allegedly involving two Slovenian companies accused of misrepresenting a solar energy project to obtain EU funds. January 14, 2025 Brian Publicover Image: Sleep Writer, Pixabay The EPPO said in an online statement this week that it has launched an investigation into a suspected fraudulent scheme involving €340,000 in EU funds intended for small-scale solar projects in Slovenia. Two unnamed companies are suspected of submitting fraudulent applications for co-financing under a public call by the Slovenian Ministry of Infrastructure, which is financed by the European Commission’s Cohesion Fund.…

ABB has acquired Lumina US-based responsive energy management systems company, to expand ABB’s home energy management capabilities in the North American residential sector. The acquisition follows a strategic minority investment by ABB in the company in 2023. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “We are excited to welcome Lumin to the ABB family at a time when electrification is a transformative megatrend across North America,” said Mike Mustapha, president of ABB Electrification’s Smart Buildings Division. The acquisition brings Lumin’s intelligent solutions for electrification, solar and storage systems into ABB’s portfolio, creating a comprehensive residential energy management offering…