Fish farmed as part of solar-powered irrigation system
A provincial government in the Philippines has installed a solar pump that will move water to a reservoir where fish can now be bred. The $124,000 system will also irrigate vegetables and high-value crops for two farmers’ groups.
Large scale solar to power desalination unit in Oman
TotalEnergies and Veolia will construct a 17 MW solar facility at Veolia’s Sharqiyah Desalination plant in Oman. The PV plant will have an estimated annual production of 30,000 MWh and will be able to cover more than a third of the desalination plant’s daily consumption.
III–V solar cell based on spalled germanium substrate achieves 23.36% efficiency
US scientists used spalled germanium instead of gallium arsenide, as the former reportedly reduces several issues associated with GaAs spalling. The cell achieved an open-circuit voltage of 1.019 V, a short-circuit current density of 28.49 mA cm−2, and a fill factor of 80.45%.
Perovskite solar cell defect characterization during manufacture for improved stability
A novel electrochemical robotic arm is under development at the University of Arizona to identify perovskite defects during manufacturing rather than after to improve durability.
UPDATED – New tech to produce hydrogen from tap water
A Spanish scientist has developed a system that reportedly produces hydrogen on-site without expensive electrolysis. The prototype utilizes a water tank that is initially filled with water, ferrosilicon, and sodium hydroxide.
Tesla big battery begins providing inertia grid services at scale in world first in Australia
South Australia’s 150 MW / 193.5 Hornsdale Power Reserve, more commonly known as the Tesla Big Battery, will now provide inertia services to Australia’s National Electricity Market after securing approval from the Australian Energy Market Operator. Neoen says it is the first big battery in the world to deliver the service at such a scale.
Universal Solar to open 600 MW solar module factory in Panama
The US module provider said the panels produced at the facility will be 100 percent compliant with the U.S. Commerce Department’s Withhold and Release Order on Hoshine silicon.
Electriq Power residential batteries beat the heat with backup power, smart time of use
A home battery paired with rooftop solar can provide backup power during rolling blackouts, shift power usage schedules to avoid peak demand charges, among other benefits.
Dubai mega solar project to be finished in 2027 and could be scaled back
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority has a tendency to reveal changes in the project’s specification by publishing updates emphasizing the progress achieved to date.
The Hydrogen Stream: Construction begins on world’s largest integrated green hydrogen, ammonia plant
In other news, German energy company Uniper said it will test a new salt cavern built for hydrogen storage, while Serbia and Hungary signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on renewable hydrogen.
