2024

Researchers in Canada have created an experimental workbench for aboveground compressed air energy storage. Experimental data calibration reportedly ensured model accuracy with a mean absolute percentage error below 4.0%.

SunBrush Mobil GmbH plans to develop a mechanically simple robotic solution designed to maximize utility-scale solar module yield by removing soiling. Once complete, the company will market this technology for commercial rooftop systems in Australia.

The startup is developing LDES technology that, housed in a 40-foot container, would have an estimated power of 100 kW and a capacity of about 100 hours with a useful life of more than 30 years and an LCOE of less than $0.05/kWh in its early stages of industrialization.

Egyptian researchers have developed a mini refrigerator powered by one to four thermoelectric units at varying voltages. They simulated and tested the system under different conditions, achieving a maximum coefficient of performance (COP) of 77.3%.

Statkraft says it is progressing with its 200 MW electrolysis plant in Germany, while Neste says it will not invest in its 120 MW electrolyzer project in Finland.

Arctech Solar says it plans to raise up to CNY 1.1 billion ($150 million) to expand its manufacturing capacity, while China Power Construction has opened bids for 1,500 MWp of n-type heterojunction PV modules.

This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to María Mura, Head of Southern Europe Origination at Spain-based Nadara. She says pressure to be outstanding stems from the higher level of scrutiny women face in leadership. “Women are not only challenged by their peers and superiors, but also by themselves, urging to prove that they didn’t achieve success by mistake or by chance, but through undeniable competence and hard work,” she states.

Scientists have measured two fixed panels and two single-axis modules for months to determine their site-specific heat dissipation factors. These local results indicate a 3.3% enhancement in energy production compared to the default factors used in PVSyst.

At the RE-Source conference this week in Amsterdam, RE-Source Platform Policy and Impact Director Annie Scanlan projected record corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) growth in Europe for 2024. Corporate PPA capacity has already reached 10.7 GW this year, nearing last year’s record of 10.8 GW.

Trina Solar says it has supplied more than 1 GW of Vertex N 720W series panels for the Jinsha River project in China, with installation expected by year-end. The project aims to generate about 5.1 TWh of power per year.