Author: solarenergy
Daikin Europe NV, a subsidiary of Japanese heating systems manufacturer Daikin, has introduced a new residential air-to-water heat pump line for single-family homes. The systems use propane (R290) as a refrigerant and have outdoor unit dimensions of 1,122 mm x 1,330 mm x 600 mm. Their power ranges from 6 kW to 14 kW and their seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) ranges from 3.6 to 5.5. “Thanks to the industry-leading heating capacity of the Daikin Altherma 4 H, the heat pump can deliver hot water up to 75 C,” the manufacturer said in a statement. “The largest available unit of…
The Morocco-based solar street lamp manufacturer has launched Gamma, a programmable off-grid solar PV lighting system that delivers up to 23,040 lumens. The system is suitable for roads, industrial sites, intersections, pedestrian areas and parking lots. December 16, 2024 Valerie Thompson Agamine Solar, a Morocco-based manufacturer of integrated solar street lighting, has launched Gamma, its new programmable off-grid LED lighting system that delivers up to 23,040 lumens. The system is suitable for roads, industrial sites, intersections, pedestrian areas and parking lots. All four versions of Gamma have an efficiency of 198 lm/W and programmable light control. The Gamma model features…
UCF researcher receives $3.8 million grant to develop solar energy storage system Solar power can be plentiful in Florida’s hot and muggy climate, but can be intermittent in bad weather and inconsistent during the night or during peak usage. To keep the power grid reliable, UCF Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering associate professor Like Li is developing a new energy storage system that can reserve solar energy for future use. The project is supported by a three-year, $3.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office. “The goal is to contribute to the global clean…
Discussions at the Sustainable Solar Europe event, held yesterday in Brussels, show that clearly recorded and available information is key to ensuring sustainable and ethical practices throughout the solar energy supply chain. And clear standards for the accuracy and relevance of this information are needed to ensure everyone is working toward the same goal. On this day, such a standard was also launched in the Supply Chain Traceability Standard of the Solar Stewardship Initiative. December 13, 2024 Mark Hutchins Sustainable Solar Europe, an annual event jointly organized by trade association SolarPower Europe and event organizer SolarPromotion, took place yesterday in…
Solar plasma technology increases the sustainability of seed germination Seed senescence poses a significant challenge to agricultural industries and seed banks, often leading to lower germination and weaker seedling growth. This issue not only affects economic stability, but also hinders efforts to preserve genetic diversity. Researchers at the University of Arkansas, led by Dr. Jun Zhu, have introduced an innovative solution: a solar-powered plasma water generator designed to rejuvenate old seeds and promote stronger seedling development. The study, published in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering, presents a transformative, cost-effective approach to improving seed germination. At the heart of this…
A Terrasmart Innovation Engineer looks at ways to overcome weather challenges, especially when installing solar in Midwestern states. December 9, 2024 Ameer Abuhamdeh By pv magazine USA Freeze freeze is one of the most common problems in the Midwest and especially in Illinois, which is prone to freezes due to the combination of bitter winters and unique soil composition. Because frost heave is the process by which soil expands after it absorbs water and then freezes, Illinois and other states with periods of freezing temperatures for extended periods are especially vulnerable. It’s not possible to completely prevent the physics of…
The Jakarta-based Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) says 2025 will be a crucial year for Indonesia’s energy transition as the country has fallen behind targets in recent years. It aims to shift subsidies from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources and urges the government to implement a clear, measurable plan for the next national energy policy. December 13, 2024 Patrick Jowett Indonesia’s energy transition must accelerate after limited progress in recent years, according to the latest report from the Jakarta-based IESR. The think tank said in its “Energy transition prospects for Indonesia 2025” that renewable energy currently makes up…
Waaree Energies has received NABL India accreditation for the PV Module Test Lab (PMTL) at its module manufacturing facility in Chikhli in the Indian state of Gujarat. December 9, 2024 Uma Gupta By pv magazine India Waaree Energies has obtained NABL India accreditation for the PV Module Test Lab (PMTL) at its module manufacturing facility in Chikhli, Gujarat. It was Waaree’s second NABL accreditation, after the first for the Thumb production facility. The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), a globally recognized laboratory accreditation body, has granted recognition under the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards. This confirms the laboratory’s…
Australian solar panel production is approaching full-scale production as SunDrive has achieved a copper plate production yield of over 99% while also signing an agreement with Capral Aluminum. December 9, 2024 Ev Foley By pv magazine Australia Sydney-based SunDrive Solar has achieved copper plate production yields of more than 99% at its commercial pilot plant in Australia, converting cells into modules. It has developed a cell metallization technology using copper, which is about 100 times cheaper and 1,000 times more abundant than commonly used silver. The recent milestone is supported by an AUD 11 million ($7 million) grant from the…
The number of new patents to integrate artificial intelligence into global networks has increased sixfold in recent years, with China driving the overall innovation momentum. The European Patent Office, co-authors of the report, called on Europe to renew its efforts. December 13, 2024 Blathnaid O’Dea According to a new study, net-related patent activity has increased significantly in recent decades report by the EPO and the International Energy Agency (IEA). The organizations used global patent data to demonstrate innovation in both physical and smart grid technologies from 2001 to 2022. The report identified the years between 2009 and 2013 when innovation…