Author: solarenergy

Researchers from the two companies have built a lightweight and flexible silicon heterojunction (HJT) PV panel that measures 563mm x 584mm and weighs just 218.5g. November 1, 2024 Valerie Thompson Japanese investment holding company Softbank is developing a wide range of technologies for its planned ultra-lightweight high-altitude platform station (HAPS), a solar-powered aircraft intended to operate at an altitude of 20 km above the Earth’s surface and carry telecommunications base stations as a base station. load. One of the research projects completed in March this year focused on a silicon PV panel weighing less than 700 g/m2, inspired by the…

Solving the interface mystery in organic solar cells makes them more efficient New research from North Carolina State University provides a deeper insight into what exactly happens in organic solar cells when light is converted into electricity. Researchers developed a new method that visualizes interfaces where sunlight’s energy is converted into electrical charges and used the findings to develop a set of design rules that can improve the efficiency of organic solar cells. Organic solar cells are made with carbon-based polymer materials that have the potential to be cheap, can be made from materials that are abundant on Earth, and…

By controlling the secondary growth of lead iodide, an international group of scientists has built a perovskite solar cell with low non-radiative recombination and low defect density. The device reportedly showed superior stability in both humidity and thermal stability tests compared to reference cells. November 1, 2024 Emiliano Bellini An international research team has fabricated a perovskite solar cell that reportedly exhibits lower non-radiative recombination and lower defect density. “Our study introduces an innovative strategy for secondary growth of lead iodide (PbI2) and π-π stacking regulation that improves the photovoltaic efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells,” said the study’s…

Researchers from Greece have developed a PV prediction technique for prosumer schemes using federated learning, a machine learning method that sends local model updates to a central server for correction. Their simulations show surprising results compared to centralized forecasts. November 1, 2024 Lior Kahana Scientists from Greece’s National Technical University of Athens have proposed a new PV prediction technique that protects the privacy of prosumers. Efficient prosumer schemes rely on accurate solar production forecasting models, which require extensive data, making privacy and utility trade-offs essential. The researchers’ approach to balancing this tradeoff is based on federated learning (FL). “The FL…

According to GRYD, the system has already reduced residents’ energy bills by 15%. Image: GRYD Energy. A project launched by solar technology company GRYD Energy, in partnership with BK Developments, will test smart solar and battery storage systems for new-build homes at no upfront cost to the developer or homeowner. Tested at three homes in St. Ives, Cornwall, an installation with a capacity of 11.5 kWp will meet 70% of residents’ energy demand. GRYD finances and maintains the solar hardware and offers a guaranteed fixed monthly power price that will not increase over the 25-year life of the system. Additional…

The company is targeting 50 MW of installations under the new service. Image: Flogas. Irish energy company Flogas has unveiled ambitious plans to deliver €50m (£41.87m) of solar projects over the next five years under its new solar-as-a-service programme. Solar as a Service (SaaS) offerings allow companies to reduce emissions and energy bills by installing rooftop and ground-mounted solar at their locations, without the need for upfront capital. In partnership with Alternative Energy Ireland (AEI) and Wewise, the SaaS offering provides tailor-made financing packages, installation, real-time monitoring and maintenance for on-site solar projects. Steven Bray, managing director at AEI, explained…

Three Gorges has unveiled plans for a 16.5 GW renewable energy project in China’s Taklamakan Desert, which will generate 8.5 GW of solar power, 4 GW of wind power, 3.96 GW from six ultra-supercritical coal-fired units and 5 GWh of electrochemical energy storage. November 1, 2024 Vincent Shaw Chinese state-owned company Three Gorges Energy has announced plans to invest in a massive integrated renewable energy base in the Taklamakan Desert, in the country’s Xinjiang region. The total investment for the project is estimated at approximately CNY71.848 billion ($10.09 billion). It will include 8.5 GW of solar energy, 4 GW of…

The China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNMIA) says solar polysilicon prices will remain stable this week despite strong price intentions from producers, as unresolved downstream demand issues hamper sales potential. November 1, 2024 Vincent Shaw and Valerie Thompson The CNMIA has released data showing solar polysilicon prices holding steady this week despite strong price intentions from manufacturers. Prices for n-type material range from CNY 37,000 ($5,193) to CNY 44,000 per ton, with an average of CNY 41,700. N-type granular silicon costs between CNY 36,000 and CNY 37,500 per ton, with an average of CNY 37,300. Monocrystalline refeed material ranges from…

Each expansion unit adds another 13.5 kWh of storage capacity to the original installation, with up to three such units able to be connected to a single Powerwall. The new product is now available in the US, has a lower cost and cuts installation time by approximately half to 22 minutes. November 1, 2024 Marija Maisch Tesla Powerwall 3 can be installed indoors or outdoors Image: Tesla By ESS news Tesla has added a new product to its battery energy storage offering, making it possible for Powerwall 3 owners to expand their systems more affordably and effectively. Like Powerwall 3,…

The British government has confirmed new hydrogen plans, while RWE says it has obtained construction and environmental permits to build a 100 MW electrolyzer in the Netherlands. November 1, 2024 Sergio Matalucci The British government said it is funding 11 new green hydrogen projects in England, Scotland and Wales, which it claims will be among the first commercial-scale projects in the world. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the funding plan during a fall 2024 budget speechallocating GBP 3.9 billion ($5 billion). green hydrogen producers and carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) projects over the period 2025-26. The government has selected the…