Cincinnati Zoo completes 2.8 MW solar carport
Terrasmart has designed and manufactured a racking system for a 2.8 MW solar carport project at Ohio’s Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. The site’s owners claim it is the largest publicly accessible solar array in the United States, providing shade for up to 800 vehicles.
CALB sues CATL for patent infringement as battery rivalry escalates
Chinese battery manufacturer CALB has sued rival CATL for patent infringement. It is seeking damages significantly higher than the total CNY 700 million (€91 million) that CATL previously claimed in six patent infringement cases it filed against CALB.
Neoen partners with Vinci to build 79 MW PV plant in Ireland
The Ballinknockane solar farm, awarded to Neoen through the RESS 2 tender in 2022, will be connected to the high-voltage grid in County Limerick and will benefit from a contract for difference mechanism valid until 2040. Neoen announced construction of the plant with the signing of two turnkey EPC contracts with Vinci brand Omexom for the solar facility and TLI Group for the site’s 110 kV substation.
New sun simulator, light-soaking tools for perovskite solar cells, modules
MBJ Solutions, a German testing equipment specialist, recently launched two new products for developers of perovskite and perovskite silicon tandem devices. The MBJ Steady State Sun Simulator is designed for cells and small perovskite module research, and the MBJ Light Soaking Unit is for aging tests and preconditioning.
Colombia creates energy community benefiting 2,000 low-income families
As part of its Sustainable Energy Homes Project initiative, the Ministry of Mines and Energy has announced plans to install PV systems next year in two neighborhoods in the city of Cali that will allow a reduction of up to 100% of electricity bills for local residents. The government is also implementing sustainable electric mobility solutions for five educational institutions in the city.
Li-S Energy nears 500 Wh/kg with lithium-sulfur battery tech
Australian battery tech company Li-S Energy has announced a major improvement in the performance of its lithium-sulfur battery technology, with its latest iteration achieving an energy density close to 500 Wh/kg.
German researchers develop highly efficient alkaline membrane electrolyzer
The new electrolyzer is designed to match the performance of established PEM electrolyzers. Its anode catalyst consists of inexpensive nickel double hydroxide compounds with iron, cobalt or manganese.
India should invest in friendly nations for critical minerals, says IEEFA
India should invest in resource-rich, friendly nations to source critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, says the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).
New tech to recover high-purity silicon powder from end-of-life solar panels
Korean researchers have used thermal and wet gravity separation (WGS) to separate EVA from reclaimed silicon powder in end-of-life PV modules with “minimal” chemical usage. The proposed technique provides silicon powder that could be reused as a raw material for upcycling into silicon nitride, silicon oxide, or silicon carbide.
Space Solar secures letter of intent from Reykjavik Energy
UK startup Space Solar has reached an agreement with Reykjavik Energy with a view to supplying 30 MW from space-based solar in 2030. Co-CEO Sam Adlen tells pv magazine the next steps include ground-to-air transmission demonstration and a kilowatt-scale solar satellite in orbit in three years’ time.
