Author: solarenergy
The search for sustainable solutions to water scarcity has prompted scientists to explore unconventional sources: rain and fog. In regions where water is limited but fog is prevalent, like coastal and mountainous areas, communities are adopting technologies that combine solar power with rain and fog harvesting systems. These hybrid systems collect water from the atmosphere while generating renewable energy, offering a dual solution to the challenges of water and energy shortages. Harnessing Fog as a Water Source Fog, an often-overlooked atmospheric resource, holds potential as a reliable water supply, especially in coastal regions. Composed of tiny water droplets suspended in…
Funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Empowering Rural America Program is available to rural electric cooperatives in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Nebraska and Texas. December 24, 2024 Anne Fischer By pv magazine USA Awards of more than $4.37 billion through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program are intended to support at least 5,000 jobs, reduce electricity costs for businesses and households, and reduce climate pollution to be reduced by 1.1 million tonnes each year. The New ERA program, part of the Inflation Reduction Act, makes funding available to member-owned rural electric cooperatives…
Researchers in Switzerland have fabricated perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells that use a heterojunction cell as the bottom device. The cell is said to circumvent the film formation problem associated with the use of phosphonic acid and achieve high levels of efficiency. December 24, 2024 Emiliano Bellini Scientists from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland have fabricated a tandem solar cell based on a perovskite top cell and a heterojunction (HJT) bottom device with a thickness of 100-150 μm and double-sided microstructured surfaces. “The concept of double-sided textured bottom cells is a major design adjustment of current champion…
Researchers in France have proposed a numerical decision-making framework to determine the optimization of the tilt angle of solar panels in extreme wind conditions. They say the framework challenges traditional engineering practices and provides a scalable solution for increasing resilience in the real world. December 24, 2024 Patrick Jowett Researchers from the Center for Material Forming at PLS University in Sophia Antipolis, Francehave proposed a numerical decision-making framework for protecting solar panels against extreme weather conditions. The research paper “Combining machine learning and computational fluid dynamics to optimize the tilt angle of solar panels in extreme wind conditions”, available in…
The U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) has completed a $1.45 billion loan guarantee to Hanwha Qcells to support its solar power plant in the state of Georgia. It aims to rebuild key parts of the U.S. solar supply chain by manufacturing blocks, wafers, cells and solar panels. December 23, 2024 Rachel Metea By pv magazine USA The U.S. DoE Loan Programs Office (LPO) has announced the closing of a $1.45 billion loan guarantee to Hanwha Qcells. With the goal of restoring critical parts of the U.S. solar supply chain, the loan guarantee will support Qcell’s solar manufacturing facility, which will…
Cuyahoga County of Ohio has released a request for information (RFI) for an upcoming 63 MW solar project in the area. Cuyahoga Green Energy, on behalf of the county, is requesting information from companies interested in becoming equipment suppliers for the project developed through the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program. Cuyahoga Green Energy, the electricity distribution company, has received an award US EPA grant totaling $130 millionthat will be used to build 63 MW of solar, in addition to 10 MW of battery storage, on six brownfields and/or former landfills in the Cleveland metropolitan area by October 2029.…
The herd will be managed by local farmers Phil Weaver (pictured, centre) and Pete Wilson and will also act as a vegetation manager. Image: Elements Green. The Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park, being developed by UK-based Elements Green, will be the “largest UK solar park to embrace grazing”. When the development comes online, which Elements Green estimates will be in 2027, a flock of almost 4,000 sheep will graze the solar farm’s fields, which could increase to 9,000 once lambing begins. The herd will be managed by local farmers Phil Weaver and Pete Wilson and will also serve…
Pess Energy has launched FlyWatt, a compact 10 kWh battery generator for film and TV production crews. A compatible solar panel kit is available to charge the equipment off-grid. December 23, 2024 Valerie Thompson French portable energy developer Pess Energy has launched FlyWatt, a compact 10 kWh battery generator for film and TV production crews. It is the latest in its range of battery-based generators, made for film crews, construction, event and emergency services. Like the other off-grid products in the catalogue, Flywatt is based on lithium-ion battery technology. It can be charged with the 1,500W Ekla silicon solar panel…
Scientists have designed a system that combines solar panels, wind turbines and battery storage to operate water pumping systems in Jordan. They simulated it under different scenarios, looking for the optimal size. December 23, 2024 Lior Kahana Researchers from Isra University in Jordan have studied the feasibility of a water pumping system powered by solar and wind energy. In the Jordanian desert, limited surface water forces communities to rely on underground sources for agricultural irrigation, livestock watering, and residential use. Most standalone water pumping systems (WPS) in the region currently run on combustion engines. “Determining the feasibility of different hybrid…
Huaneng Group has commenced phase two of its Jintan Salt Cavern CAES project in China. It will be the world’s largest compressed air energy storage facility, with breakthrough improvements in power and efficiency. December 23, 2024 Vincent Shaw By ESS news China’s Huaneng Group has launched the second phase of its Jintan Salt Cavern Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) project in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, marking a new milestone for the global energy storage sector. Once completed, the project will hold the title of the world’s largest compressed air energy storage facility, integrating groundbreaking improvements in both power and efficiency. Phase…