Author: solarenergy

HKUST researchers increase the stability of perovskite solar cells with a new chiral interface Researchers from the School of Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed a groundbreaking chiral structured interface in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This innovation significantly improves the sustainability and energy conversion efficiency of the cells, marking a crucial step towards their large-scale commercialization. Perovskite solar cells, which use perovskite-structured materials, have gained attention due to their cost-effectiveness and ease of production compared to traditional silicon solar cells. However, despite the rapid progress, the path to commercialization has been slowed by…

DSD Renewables (DSD) is partnering with General Energy Corporation to deploy a 1.54 MW portfolio of rooftop solar projects across three Illinois park districts. The facilities, located in Elmhurst, Sycamore and Urbana, are estimated to generate approximately 1.8 GWh of solar energy annually that can be used to power operations and reduce the carbon footprint. These projects will integrate solar energy on a new scale into Illinois park districts, setting a standard for sustainable public space practices across the state and nation. “Illinois has a proven history of implementing energy efficiency programs, and these projects will only add to that…

Solarvest has signed five separate Green Power Agreements (CGPAs) in Malaysia through two joint ventures. August 9, 2024 Patrick Jowett Solarvest Holdings Berhad has signed five separate CGPAs in Malaysia. The agreements are with a Malaysian multi-asset exchange, two global semiconductor manufacturers and a data center service provider.The deals were made through two joint ventures: one with Savelite Engineering Sdn. Bhd. and TNB Renewables Sdn. Bhd., and another solely with TNB Renewables Sdn. Bhd.Under the CGPAs, Solarvest and its partners will own and develop two solar power plants in Lumut, Perak, and Kulim, Kedah – both in western Malaysia.The projects…

Doped Spiro-OMeTAD may not be essential for efficient indoor perovskite photovoltaics A new study challenges the conventional wisdom that doping Spiro-OMeTAD is essential for high-efficiency perovskite solar cells, especially in indoor applications. Researchers examined the performance of lead halide perovskite (LHP)-based photovoltaic devices using Spiro-OMeTAD as a hole transport material, comparing doped variants with variants that remained undoped. Although the undoped Spiro-OMeTAD devices showed a modest efficiency of 7.7% under standard 1-Sun illumination, their performance surprisingly improved dramatically under indoor lighting conditions. At 1000 lux, these undoped devices achieved an efficiency of 25.6%, which is quite close to the 29.7%…

Norwich Technologies, the parent company of subsidiaries Norwich Solar (EPC), RunTime Solar (O&M) and NorwichEV, is pleased to announce a further diversification of its business for strategic growth and greater impact in the renewable energy sector, by providing service under the new Breakaway Renewables company brand. Historically, the company focused on vertical integration and, as an EPC contractor, worked primarily on projects it developed in-house. This new division strengthens the company’s capabilities to develop sustainable projects for the portfolios of other companies. Since Norwich Technologies was founded in 2011, it has successfully developed and installed more than one hundred solar…

The pain of missed opportunities can be as much of a gaping wound as a CFO being told he just overpaid his federal business taxes. Now imagine that the overpayment was 10%, and the lost opportunity is the annual compound return on 10% less taxes every year beginning in 2021 and continuing through 2033. That pain was undoubtedly felt alongside the collective bewilderment of the majority of CFOs in the summer of 2024 when they discovered that this hypothetical setup was in fact real and that their company contributed more than $100 billion to overpaid corporate and wealthy individuals in…

China’s growing photovoltaic industry recognizes its global potential On a huge salt pan in the city of Yinggehai, located in Ledong Li Autonomous County in southern China’s Hainan Province, a significant installation of 434,000 photovoltaic (PV) panels now provides a continuous stream of clean energy. As the largest centralized PV base in Hainan, the newly completed facility can generate approximately 720 million kilowatt hours of clean energy annually. This output equates to a saving of 288,000 tonnes of standard coal and a reduction in CO2 emissions of 715,000 tonnes per year. “The salt pan area is exceptionally rich in solar…

Scanifly announced an integration with Energy Toolbase (ETB), a provider of software for energy project modeling and financial analysis. This strategic partnership streamlines the solar project lifecycle, from initial customer quotes and remote design tools to detailed site assessments, accurate PV layouts, technical documentation, installation and ongoing monitoring. The combination of ETB and Scanifly drives operational efficiency throughout the life cycle of a solar project, eliminating duplication and manual data entry between disparate systems. Solar developers can leverage ETB Developer’s extensive financial and energy modeling capabilities, including custom rate schedules, utility forecasts and storage simulations, in coordination with Scanifly’s easy-to-use…

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) says the country’s PV industry has registered a significant increase in production in the first half of 2024, while Trina Solar has announced a new research collaboration with Singapore’s Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE ). August 9, 2024 Vincent Shaw The Chinese MIIT has reported substantial growth in the country’s photovoltaic (PV) industry for the first half of 2024. Production in key segments – polysilicon, wafers, cells and modules – increased by more than 30% year-on-year. Polysilicon production rose 74.9% to 1.06 million tonnes, while wafer production rose 58.6% to…

Stacking molecules improves the efficiency of organic solar cells Harnessing solar energy is essential for a sustainable future. Efficient optoelectronic devices such as solar cells are crucial for this. Researchers from Osaka University have discovered a new method to improve the efficiency of these devices by controlling the stacking of light-absorbing molecules. Organic optoelectronic devices, including solar cells, are gaining popularity due to their flexibility and lightweight nature. Their efficiency depends on how well their light-absorbing organic molecules convert light into ‘free charge carriers’ that generate electric current. The energy required to create these carriers is known as ‘exciton-binding energy’.…