Cutting out cadmium for a 16.7%-efficient flexible thin-film solar cell
Scientists in Japan have developed new processes for CIGS solar cell manufacturing, entirely eliminating the use of cadmium and replacing a waste-intensive wet chemical stage. With a thin film deposited on a flexible steel substrate, the group achieved 16.7% efficiency, which it says is a record for a cell of this type produced using scalable fabrication processes.
Test production starts at SolarEdge’s 2 GWh Korean battery cell fab
The inverter and battery manufacturer says its new Sella 2 factory will produce cells for its residential solar-plus-battery products as well as for other applications.
Tuning out the defects for more powerful perovskite solar cells
Scientists in the UK and Japan used the latest imaging techniques to observe the inner workings of a perovskite solar cell at the scale of a few nanometers. Their findings suggest that a single defect is responsible for both limiting initial performance and causing degradation of the cell. By altering chemical compositions and process parameters, the appearance of this defect can be quickly reduced, and the group is confident that its finding could quickly be applied in large-scale processing as well.
India added 3 GW of solar in first quarter
India’s cumulative installed solar capacity stood at 52 GW at the end of March.
What are upfront and lifetime costs of heat pumps in the US?
The “all electric” movement is shining new light on heat pumps. A recent survey looks at their costs in terms of replacements for heating and air conditioning systems.
Chinese province seeks proposals for 11.5 GW of offshore PV
The authorities in China’s Shandong province have identified 10 offshore sites close to the coastline where 11.5 GW of solar projects could be constructed. Binzhou, Dongying, Weifang, Yantai, Weihai, and Qingdao are some of the preferred areas.
Solar and heat pumps drive UK’s public sector net-zero plans
Solar panels accompany heat pumps on a significant number of the projects being funded by the UK government to reduce carbon emissions from public buildings – but not in Scotland.
Australian startup develops mine shaft gravity storage
Green Gravity, a startup proposing to use old mine shafts for gravitational energy storage, has secured AUD 1.4 million ($990,000) in its first formal capital raise.
Romania’s largest solar project for self-consumption
Engie Romania is building an 8 MW solar park to power the operations of Saint-Gobain Romania.
Czechia earmarks $43.4 million for solar rebates
PV developers in Czechia can apply for solar rebates until Aug. 31. Solar-plus-storage projects will also be able to participate.
