Author: solarenergy

A high energy density Mars battery designed for long-duration missions The extreme environmental conditions on Mars, with an atmosphere of 95.32% carbon dioxide and significant temperature fluctuations, pose major challenges for energy storage systems on the planet. To overcome these hurdles, Prof. Peng Tan and Dr. Xu Xiao from the University of Science and Technology of China have developed a new type of Mars battery, which uses the Martian atmosphere as a fuel source during discharge. This innovative battery system minimizes weight, making it ideal for space missions. Once discharged, the battery can be recharged using solar energy collected from…

Another Origis Energy project. Origis Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) have announced a power purchase agreement to expand their solar and storage portfolio in Mississippi. Origis would develop, build and operate Hope Solar + Storage, a 200 MWAC solar + storage facility of 200 MW (800 MWh) in Clay County, Mississippi, and sell the power to TVA to help fuel some of the fastest growth in the country – both in terms of population and economic development. Commercial operation of Hope is scheduled to begin in late 2028, pending completion of all required environmental and development permits and…

In a new weekly update for pv magazineSolcast, a DNV company, reports that August was an exceptional month for solar production in the southeastern states, while regions such as the Midwest and Northeast experienced cloudier conditions and lower irradiance. September 27, 2024 SolcastAugust 2024 was an extraordinary month for solar energy production in the southeastern states. A dominant high-pressure ridge over most of the US, especially over the Southern Plains and southern states, resulted in record-breaking heat and radiation levels, according to analysis using the Solcast API. Meanwhile, regions such as the Midwest and Northeast experienced cloudier conditions and lower…

Research shows how water systems can boost the adoption of renewable energy New research led by Stanford University highlights how water systems, such as desalination plants and wastewater treatment plants, can help make renewable energy more accessible and reliable. The study, published September 27 in ‘Nature Water’, introduces a framework to assess how water systems can adjust their energy consumption to balance supply and demand from the electricity grid. “If we want to reach net zero, we need demand-side energy solutions, and water systems represent a largely untapped resource,” explains Akshay Rao, lead author of the study and a PhD…

Last week National Grid Renewables organized an event celebrate construction from its Unbridled Solar Project in Henderson and Webster Counties, Kentucky. At 160 MW, the project is expected to be the largest solar farm in the state of Kentucky when it goes online in late 2024. The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders including landowners, community members, neighbors and project partners. “It’s exciting to be here today speaking with local residents and neighbors of the Unbridled Project,” said Gemma Smith, VP of field operations at National Grid Renewables. “We are proud to celebrate the significant economic impact the…

The 41st European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference (EU PVSEC) comes to an end this afternoon in Vienna. The discussions at this year’s event leave little doubt that solar installations will continue to see impressive growth in the coming years. There was a lot of optimism all week about new policies and technical innovations that will bring more solar energy into both electric grids and urban and rural environments. For Europe, however, the lack of any meaningful capacity to produce these promising technologies locally is putting a damper on things. September 27, 2024 Mark HutchinsFrench scientist Daniel Lincot accepted the Becquerel…

OpenSolar, a software company that provides solar installers with a free solar design, sales and project management platform, has announced a new innovation designed to improve cash flow for solar companies. “This is the first-ever payment system designed specifically for the solar industry,” said Andrew “Birchy” Birch, CEO and co-founder of OpenSolar. “As solar veterans, we understand the complexities of running a solar business: billing different amounts at multiple points in a project, accepting different forms of payment, and paying exorbitant fees to the conventional payment providers . It sucks the lifeblood of a solar company. Our new payment system…

In a new weekly update for pv magazineOPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a brief overview of the major price trends in the global PV industry. September 27, 2024 OPISThe Global Polysilicon Marker (GPM), the OPIS benchmark for polysilicon outside China, was valued at $22,068/kg this week, unchanged from the previous week, on buy-sell indications.The long-awaited preliminary ruling from the American investigation into solar cells and modules imported from four Southeast Asian countries has been officially postponed until November 27 at the latest. The deadline for the final rulings remains 75 days after the preliminary ruling, although an extension is…

This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to Deanna Greenhalgh, development director at SAS Energy, EDF Renewables UK & Ireland C&I. She says that earlier in her career, she sometimes felt like her knowledge and experience were not recognized, believed or expected by others. “I think this was a combination of being both young and female in what was historically a male-dominated industry, where customers, colleagues and suppliers were more used to interacting with older men,” she says. September 27, 2024 Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu)My early career path was strongly driven by my enthusiasm to be part…

A Chinese-Australian research team has used deep eutectic solvents for the first time to separate EVA films for PV panels at the end of their life. The result is reported to be a separation rate of 100%, accompanied by an aluminum removal efficiency of 98.4% September 27, 2024 Emiliano BelliniAn international research team has proposed using deep eutectic solvents (DESs) in a new PV module recycling process intended to separate self-adhesive ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) films from solar panels that have reached the end of their life.“DESs are green, biodegradable solvents with a price advantage and the ability to be…