Author: solarenergy

The Austrian government has introduced incentives for PV systems of more than 35 kW that are equipped with modules produced in Europe. The measure aims to create new jobs and support the energy transition, by offering a 20% higher subsidy for eligible projects. June 10, 2024 Sandra Enkhardt Image: Gryffindor, Wikimedia CommonsBy pv magazine GermanyThe Austrian government has decided to introduce a ‘Made in Europe’ bonus for PV projects of more than 35 kW with solar panels produced in Europe.“The government decision strengthens job creation and supports the energy transition,” Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler, Minister of Climate Protection Leonore Gewessler…

Elewit, the technology platform of Spain’s Red Eléctrica de España (REE), has unveiled plans to build a hybrid storage project in the Canary Islands, with an 18.8 MVA virtual synchronous compensator and a 16 MW hybrid solution based of ultracapacitors. June 10, 2024 Pilar Sanchez Molina By pv magazine SpainElewit, the technology platform of Spanish grid operator REE, said it plans to build one of the world’s first systems that it claims will function as a virtual synchronous compensator. The company’s Hesstec unit is building the factory in Lanzarote, Canary Islands.“This will be the largest system of this type, at…

Taiwanese manufacturer Winaico said its latest bifacial, n-type, glass-glass TOPCon compact modules are available in a 435W aluminum frame version and a 430W all-black version. The module efficiency is up to 22.30%. June 10, 2024 Valerie Thompson Taiwan-based Winaico has unveiled a new series of solar panels based on n-type tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPcon) technology.“No perfluorinated or polyfluorinated chemicals (PFAS) are used in the manufacturing process,” the manufacturer said in a statement.The manufacturer offers the new WST-NGX Glass-Glass-Series in two versions with aluminum and black frames respectively. Both products measure 1,722 mm x 1,134 mm x 35 mm and…

(Photo: PunCoffee) The trees on a coffee farm owned by Pun Coffee Co Ltd. “Planting trees is the first step in our plan to develop green-labeled coffee and sell carbon credits,” said Luong Ngoc Tram, CEO of the company. When the competition for the best specialty coffees of 2024 ended at the end of April with Pun Coffee winning the first prize, Tram and her husband returned to their routine work in the sunny and windy house on Pun Hill. While classifying Arabica beans, Tram told VietNamNet that she has been attached to coffee plant for several years, the specialty…

A new partnership will explore the feasibility of co-locating a closed-loop hydroelectric storage facility with solar energy at the site of a former gold mine in Moose River in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Atlantic Mining, owner of the mine, and Natural Forces, a renewable energy company with an operating capacity of 300 MW in Canada, are optimistic that the project will be feasible. June 10, 2024 Marija Maisch Access to the Moose River Gold MinesImage: ProjectHorizons, Wikimedia CommonsFrom pv magazine ESS news placeAustralian mining company St Barbara has announced that its Nova Scotia-based arm Atlantic Mining will work…

By pv magazine USAAs the United States reassesses its shrinking manufacturing base in relation to China’s growing influence and considers the global geopolitical landscape, solar panel import tariffs continue to play a critical role in shaping the industry. Solar panels are now the world’s leading source of new energy, and international relations often depend on energy politics. This is illustrated by the current war in Europe, which was caused by Russia using its gas resources to slow the continent’s response to the invasion of Ukraine, leading to a massive increase in photovoltaic energy adoption across the continent.Since October 10, 2012,…

Researchers in Australia have developed a new class of solid electrolytes for rechargeable aqueous zinc-iodine batteries, enabling longer life and high efficiency. Symmetrical cells using this electrolyte have demonstrated excellent cycling performance, maintaining stability for approximately 5,000 hours at room temperature, while all-solid ZnI2 batteries exhibit more than 7,000 cycles with capacity retention of more than 72.2%. June 10, 2024 Marija MaischFrom pv magazine ESS news placeRechargeable zinc iodine (ZnI2) batteries have received much attention due to their inherent advantages, including natural abundance, low cost, safety, and high theoretical capacity. However, their limited lifetime remains a major challenge for practical…

Flexible perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell achieves new efficiency record This study is led by Dr. Xinlong Wang, Dr. Jingming Zheng, Dr. Zhiqin Ying, Prof. Xi Yang and Prof. Jichun Ye of Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Despite the remarkable progress made in rigid perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells, with reported efficiencies as high as 33.9%, the use of flexible perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells has remained elusive. The difficulty lies in improving light absorption in ultrathin silicon bottom cells while maintaining mechanical flexibility. The research team successfully demonstrated the first flexible perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell using…

REQUEST INFORMATION…Facilitating the participation of farmers, ranchers and private forest landowners in voluntary carbon marketsPUBLISHED ON June 7, 2024The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service asks the agricultural community to weigh in on a new program aimed at the voluntary carbon market in the US (Federal Register)COLUMBUS, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA) is asking the agricultural community to weigh in on a new program focused on the U.S. voluntary carbon market. The agency has published a report Request for information seeking input on what the agency should consider when developing rules for the new “Greenhouse gas…

In the first quarter of 2024, the US solar sector installed 11.8 GW of new solar capacity, bringing the country’s total to 200 GW. This is according to the latter “Understanding the US solar energy market” report by SEIA and Wood Mackenzie. The report also publishes the final figures for 2023; the country added more than 40 GW of new solar capacity last year. Wood Mackenzie expects the US solar industry to install an additional 40 GW by 2024. The massive growth in the utility market is driving record solar deployment rates as the segment added nearly 10 GW of…