Author: solarenergy

An international team of researchers demonstrated perovskite solar cells treated with a molecular passivator based on π-conjugated terpyridine-Lewis base molecules that achieved an energy conversion efficiency of 25.24%, of which 90% was retained after 2,664 hours of light exposure . The treatment reportedly works at high concentrations without damaging the perovskite film or reducing cell performance. A protocol was published to reproduce the results, opening the door for testing on a range of perovskite absorbers. September 9, 2024 Valerie ThompsonAn international team of researchers applied π-conjugated terpyridine-Lewis base molecules as a perovskite absorber passivating treatment in a study that showed…

The Swangate Project (pictured) uses Trina Storage’s Elementa technology. Image: Econergy. Independent energy producer (IPP) Econergy Group, through its UK arm, has successfully signed a financing agreement and route-to-market agreement with Goldman Sachs to support a battery energy storage project (BESS) in Yorkshire. The Swangate BESS will have an installed capacity of 50MW/102MWh and is expected to be connected to the grid by the end of this year. Goldman Sachs International Bank has provided financing of €32 million (£27 million). The loan structure supports both project development and operational needs, with approximately £25 million earmarked for construction costs and to…

Chinese multinational Envision Energy has unveiled the world’s most energy-dense grid-scale battery energy storage system, packaged in a standard 6-meter container. September 9, 2024 Marija Maisch By ESS newsShanghai-based Envision Energy launched its latest grid-scale energy storage system at the third Electrical Energy Storage Alliance (EESA) Energy Storage Exhibition held in Shanghai this week. The product’s energy density is 541 kWh/㎡, making it the largest in the industry to date.The product release follows CATL’s launch of the 6.25 MWh energy storage system in April and several other companies launching 6 MWh+ storage systems packaged in a standard 20-foot container, ushering…

Researchers in Austria have developed a new predictive control algorithm that can reportedly improve comfort levels in homes equipped with heat pumps. The algorithm also enables price predictions based on analysis of day-ahead electricity prices. September 9, 2024 Lior KahanaResearchers from the Austrian University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna have presented a new, low-tech model-predictive control (MPC) algorithm for the grid-friendly operation of heat pumps. It is based on an algorithm introduced last year that was aimed at optimizing thermal comfort. In the meantime, the group has improved the algorithm to also take into account day-ahead electricity…

Singapore-based fund manager Clime Capital is investing up to $10 million in Upgrade Energy Philippines (UGEP). The money will go toward supporting commercial and industrial (C&I) and large-scale solar deployment. September 9, 2024 Patrick Jowett Image: Chirayu Trivedi, UnsplashClime Capital, a Singapore-based fund manager, is investing in Philippines-based solar developer UGEP. The investment, made through Clime Capital’s South East Clean Energy Fund II, will total $10 million.Clime Capital said the cash injection will help UGEP deploy both C&I and utility-scale solar projects. Manila-based UGEP completed its first solar installation in 2015 and is expected to surpass 50 MW of installed…

Scientists in China have designed a ventilated, building-integrated photovoltaic system that relies on flexible solar panels weighing 6 kg/m2. The system also uses an airflow duct beneath the PV panels to reduce their operating temperature and increase their power output. September 9, 2024 Emiliano BelliniResearchers from Nanjing University of Science and Technology in China have designed a ventilated building-integrated photovoltaic system (VL-BIPV) that they claim could be an optimal solution for roofs with limited load-bearing capacity of less than 15 kg/m2.“The VL-BIPV system adds only 6 kg/m² load when applied to roofs, effectively addressing the challenges faced by conventional modules,”…

According to the US Solar Market Insight Q3 2024 Report Published today by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie, federal clean energy policies continue to drive production and deployment growth as the solar industry reaches 9.4 GW of new electricity generation capacity by the second quarter of 2024 installed. In two years, the solar industry under the IRA added 75 GW of new capacity to the grid, representing more than 36% of all solar capacity built in U.S. history. Nearly 1.5 million American homes have installed solar energy since the IRA was passed. “The solar and storage…

The initially approved application for the 27.7MW solar PV and 30MW energy storage project received unanimous planning approval in February 2023. Image: Innova. Renewable energy developer Innova has revealed that it received planning permission from Staffordshire Moorlands District Council earlier this year to expand its solar and energy storage project, Blythe Solar Farm. Expansion plans will see an additional solar array increase the development’s solar capacity by 16.6 MW, bringing the total approved capacity to 44.3 MWp of solar, in addition to a 30 MW battery energy storage system (BESS). The initially approved application for the 27.7 MW solar PV…

The Chinese manufacturer said its new propane heat pump does not require an outdoor unit and can operate in temperatures as low as -20C. September 9, 2024 Emiliano Bellini CirQHP Indoor Hybrid product launchImage: MideaChina-based heating specialist Midea has developed a new indoor heat pump for homes.“CirQHP Indoor Hybrid is a compact indoor heat pump that eliminates the need for an outdoor unit,” the manufacturer said in a statement. “This feature provides greater flexibility in installation options, making it an excellent choice for homes near neighbors or townhouses.”The new heat pump has a heating capacity of 4.5 kW and uses…

Ecostal Group, a B2B solar specialist, has acquired the Swiss distributor of PV equipment Solexis. The group says the merger will expand its operations in Switzerland. September 9, 2024 Patrick Jowett Stéphane Dauvister, Chairman of Ecostal Group, Frédéric Bichsel, CEO of Solexis and Christophe Piron, CEO of Ecostal GroupImage: Ecostal Group, SolexisThe Belgian Ecostal Group has acquired Solexis, a Swiss-based B2B distributor of PV equipment. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.Ecostal Group said the integration of Solexis “marks a new phase in its European expansion strategy” as it will now expand its operations into Switzerland. The group is…