Author: solarenergy

A German research team has compared the economic performance of an off-grid PV electrolysis fuel cell system with that of a standalone solar-plus-storage counterpart in a building in Niger. The analysis found that decentralized PV-powered hydrogen could deliver significantly lower energy costs and lower storage costs than the PV battery system, reaching €0.12 ($13.1)/kWh and €0.35/kWh respectively . August 13, 2024 Emiliano BelliniA group of researchers from the University of Applied Sciences in Germany have investigated how PV electrolyzer fuel cell systems could replace solar plus storage systems as stand-alone power solutions for decentralized off-grid electrification and have found that…

President Biden is giving the domestic solar panel manufacturing market a break from tariffs on imported solar cells with the latest announcement from the White House. The President has amended measures taken earlier this year on the import of crystalline silicon solar panels (CSPV) by increasing the amount of silicon solar cells entering the country tariff-free to 12.5 GW. The tariff rate quota (TRQ) for solar cells under Sec. 201 of the Trade Act 1974 was previously set at 5 GW. “I have determined that the expected domestic production of modules and related imports of CSPV cells have increased to…

A 3D rendering of a Beryl solar e-bike charging station. Image: Beryl Cornwall Council and e-bike rental company Beryl have secured funding for a “groundbreaking” solar e-bike charging project. Six hubs, strategically located across the province, will use rubber solar panels to charge Beryl’s e-bikes, reducing the number of battery changes Beryl staff have to make every day. Installation of the first hub will begin soon and all six hubs are expected to be completed by March 2025. Previous analysis of Britain has identified several areas that generate enough solar energy to power e-transport charging points. Beryl notes that many…

Multiple incidents, including deaths and evacuations, have led the Korean government to ask automakers to voluntarily disclose who makes the batteries in their electric vehicles, with some surprising results. August 13, 2024 Tristan Rayner Image: Lauren Seo, UnsplashBy ESS newsAmid growing public concerns about the safety of electric vehicles (EV), the South Korean government has initiated a review of safety measures surrounding EV batteries and infrastructure, including parking facilities and EV chargers. The publicly announced move follows several high-profile fires, including a deadly fire at a battery factory in June and a recent EV fire in Incheon that caused evacuations…

Researchers have developed a new model that can help developers assess corn growth in agricultural voltaic plants. They also proposed using spatiotemporal shade distribution (SSD) to optimize crop yield and energy production. August 13, 2024 Lior KahanaA research group led by scientists at Purdue University has developed a new model for assessing corn growth in agricultural voltaics and has proposed using a spatiotemporal shadow distribution (SSD) model to optimize crop yield and energy production.The new method is based on the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) plant model, which is based on a finer temporal resolution, the validity of which is…

Axitec has opened a 300 MW solar module factory in Tiruvallur, India. It is equipped for the production of n-type tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) PV modules. August 12, 2024 Uma Gupta By pv magazine IndiaAxitec has announced the opening of a new factory in Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu. The factory, with a production capacity of 300 MW per year, will produce solar panels based on n-type TOPCon technology.“The strategic location of the plant on the outskirts of Tiruvallur not only supports effective production but also ensures better control over the supply chain, ensuring timely delivery of products,” Axitec said.The facility…

A battery container has caught fire again at Suncycle, a solar energy and storage service company in the German state of Thuringia. The fire marks the third time in two months that firefighters have been called to the scene for a lithium battery fire on Sunday, August 11. The police again suspect that a technical defect is the cause of the fires.The fire brigade present said via its Facebook page that fumes and smoke slightly injured an employee. A report by German news agency dpa said the injured worker used a forklift to drive the burning storage unit out of…

Kalpana Systems, a Dutch equipment manufacturer, is launching spatial atomic layer deposition (sALD) tools that can be used in roll-to-roll manufacturing processes in the solar, organic light-emitting diode, battery and packaging industries. The first application is expected to be the application of a barrier layer. August 12, 2024 Valerie ThompsonKalpana Systems, a Dutch thin-film equipment company, is launching spatial atomic layer deposition (sALD) equipment for use in roll-to-roll manufacturing processes in the production of solar energy, organic light-emitting diodes, batteries and packaging.The startup company recently raised €3.5 million ($3.82 million) in funding from corporate and institutional investors, including a government…

Japan’s Rinnai Corp. has acquired Smart Energy, a supplier of solar energy and battery systems, to strengthen its presence in Australia’s renewable energy sector. August 12, 2024 David CarollBy pv magazine AustraliaJapan’s Rinnai Corp. has announced its entry into what it described as the “surging” residential solar and battery energy storage market in Australia with the acquisition of Smart Energy.Smart energy sells and installs solar and battery energy storage systems on residential roofs, as well as heat pumps. The vertically integrated solar technology company has thrived in New South Wales since its founding in 2016. Co-founder Elliot Hayes said it…

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a €12.5 million ($13.7 million) loan to finance the construction of two 60 MW solar power plants in Tozeur and Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia. The projects, developed by Scatec and Aeolus, will increase energy security and support Tunisia’s green transition. August 12, 2024 Patrick Jowett Image: Mariana Proenca, UnsplashThe EBRD finances the construction and operation of two solar power plants in Tunisia. The financing package, co-financed by French development agency Proparco, consists of a loan of up to €12.5 million, in addition to a concessional tranche of €8.2 million from the…