Author: solarenergy

SolarCycle has found a new buyer for its solar panel glass made from recycled materials after signing a supply agreement with Silfab earlier this year. Minnesota-based solar panel manufacturer Heliene has signed a 4 GW or 20 million m2 contract2 agreement with Heliene for the recycled glass for the next five years. SolarCycle is building a glass factory in Georgia that will use recycled materials from old solar panels. The facility is expected to produce more than 5 GW of solar glass annually. “We are pleased to add glass to our growing range of domestically made materials that will be…

A research paper from scientists at Swansea University describes their tool for analyzing the thermodynamic limits of organic semiconductor-based solar photovoltaics (OPVs). One of the findings was that semi-transparent solar energy, applied in greenhouses, can deliver comparable performance to conventional crystalline silicon PV. September 13, 2024 Patrick JowettScientists from Swansea University in the United Kingdom have developed a tool to help identify optimal photovoltaic materials for agricultural voltaics.The research paper “On the performance limits of agricultural voltaics – from thermodynamic to geo-meteorological considerations,” published in the magazine Solar RRL, investigates the thermodynamic limits of organic semiconductor-based solar photovoltaics (OPVs) and…

A New Dawn for Farm Energy As the agricultural sector increasingly embraces sustainable practices, solar energy stands out as a bright opportunity for farmers and rural property owners. At 8MSolar, we’ve seen firsthand how solar installations on barns and agricultural buildings can transform energy consumption, reduce operational costs, and contribute to a greener future. But can you install solar panels on your barn or agricultural building? The short answer is a resounding yes – and the benefits can be substantial. The integration of solar technology in agriculture, often referred to as “Agrivoltaics,” is more than just a trend; it’s a…

A group consisting of scientists from the Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH) and German PV equipment manufacturer Centrotherm has developed a POLO back-junction solar cell using an industrial plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition system (PECVD) with a low frequency plasma source. The device achieved slightly higher efficiency than a reference device fabricated via more expensive atomic layer deposition (ALD). September 13, 2024 Emiliano BelliniA group of researchers led by the German Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH) has developed a n+-type polysilicon-on-oxide (POLO) back-junction solar cell with a stack of passivation layers based on aluminum oxide (AlOx) and…

Halocell Energy, an Australian developer of perovskite solar cells, is about to launch its first indoor solar product. September 12, 2024 Ev Foley By pv magazine AustraliaHalocell energyan Australian leader in perovskite solar cell development, will commercialize its flexible 7cm perovskite solar cell strips. They can generate enough power to replace disposable batteries, making them ideal for indoor use.The technology has potential in the field of digital price labeling, which has been widely adopted in retail, where perovskites particularly excel for their ability to be chemically tuned to function in various indoor lighting environments.Halocell Energy CEO Paul Moonie said pv…

Enel has completed the installation of PV modules in a 486.7 MW solar farm in Colombia. Once fully operational, it will be the largest PV project in the country. September 12, 2024 Luis Ini By pv magazine LatAmEnel Colombia, part of Enel Green Power and part of the Enel Group, has installed the last solar panels for the 486.7 MW “Guayepo I & II” solar park. Once operational, it will be the largest PV project in Colombia.The company said the project is already supplying energy to the National Interconnected System as part of a testing phase.The solar park covers 69…

Polar stretching has announced an improvement to its single-axis SOL-X tracking system for better operation during hailstorms. The new hail protection function should reduce the risk of hail damage to PV panels. The hail protection feature is designed to automatically position solar trackers at an optimal angle in anticipation of hailstorms, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This automated system adds a crucial layer of protection to SOL-X, which is designed for undulating terrain, heavy wind, snow and frost. The system features a bi-directional high hail position angle (+/- 63°) to minimize risk during hail events. During a hail event,…

Chinese module manufacturer Aiko Solar says it has built a 150 kW off-grid solar carport at an altitude of 4,300 meters on Mount Everest, with 645 W double-sided double-glazed modules and 200 kWh of battery storage. September 12, 2024 Emiliano BelliniChinese back-contact PV module manufacturer Aiko Solar has switched on a 150 kW solar carport on Mount Everest, connected to a 200 kWh energy storage system. The installation is located 4,300 meters above sea level in Everest National Park.“The charging station is designed with a structure that can accommodate 20 parking spaces, with 3 main chargers and 4.6 kW superchargers,”…

The show is over — at least it is for the Solar Power World team. Without taking too many breaks, I was able to speak to more than 40 companies over two days at RE+. It’s an event that boasted 1,300 exhibitors, so, I managed to meet with about only 3% of them. Putting it into that perspective makes it feel like my efforts are insignificant in the scope of this show. From when we last visited Anaheim in 2022, RE+ had broken a record by attracting 27,000 attendees to the event, and this year at least 13,000 more people…

The new refrigerant, developed by a Chinese research group, is made from a mixture of carbon dioxide (CO2) and a non-flammable hydrofluorolefin. It has a slightly higher cost compared to conventional compounds, but its makers claim that these costs can be significantly reduced with large-scale industrial production. September 12, 2024 Emiliano BelliniA group of scientists led by Zhejiang University in China have developed a new zeotropic refrigerant that can reportedly improve the performance of air source heat pumps (ASHPs), while also offering a number of safety and stability benefits.“The cost of this new refrigerant is only slightly higher than that…