Emiliano Bellini
TOPCon solar cell based on aluminum contacts achieves slightly lower efficiency than silver-based counterpart
Researchers in China have have fabricated an aluminum contact-based TOPCon solar cell based that achieved a power conversion efficiency of 22.92%. The device was built with an aluminum contact manufacturing process that reportedly does not compromise the surface passivation quality of underlying silicon oxide layers.
Pathway to commercialization of aqueous sulfur-based redox flow batteries
Researchers in China have identified a series of engineering strategies to bring aqueous sulfur-based redox flow batteries closer to commercial production. Improving catalyst design, ion-selective membranes, and device integration will be key to solve this battery storage technology’s issues.
Sprsun unveils air-source heat pump for swimming pools
The Chinese manufacturer said its new heat pump system has a heating capacity of 6.5 kW to 17 kW and a coefficient of performance ranging from 4.8 to 5.23 at 15 C.
Atmoce launches ‘extra’ low-voltage batteries for residential PV
The new batteries have a nominal DC voltage of 26.5 V and a maximum DC voltage of 28.8 V, with the operating AC voltage range being 176-276 V. Their nominal battery capacity is 280 Ah and the rated battery energy is 7 kWh.
Tunisia greenlights 500 MW of solar
The Tunisian government has granted licenses to four PV projects with a combined capacity of 500 MW. The selected developers are Qair International, Voltalia, Toyota Tsusho and Scatec.
Ardian acquires Akuo
France-based Akuo currently operates a 1.9 GW renewable energy plant portfolio.
Dual-component controller for three-phase solar inverters can reduce overshoot to less than 0.33%
An international research team has conceived a dual-component controller for three-phase inverters that can reportedly achieve faster settling times, reduced overshoot and more stable current tracking compared to conventional controllers.
Japan’s 23rd solar auction concludes with lowest bid of $0.030/kWh
Japan has allocated 93 MW of PV capacity in its latest procurement exercise. The lowest bid came in at JPY 4.47 ($0.030)/kWh, while the average final price was JPY 5.06/kWh.
Thermocold launches new air-to-water heat pumps
The Italian manufacturer said its new heat pumps use R454B as a refrigerant and have coefficient of performance of up to 3.35.
Corporate PPAs with variable price structure achieve higher performance
Researchers in Portugal have simulated 800 power purchase agreemeents across eight different contract type and have found that contracts with a variable price structure achieve higher performance. Their analysis considered net present value, contract performance deviation and volume residual as the main indicators.
