Emiliano Bellini
SolarPower Europe suspends exclusion proceedings for Huawei
SolarPower Europe has suspended efforts to exclude Huawei, launched in May amid a European Union bribery probe. Despite remaining a member of SolarPower Europe, the Chinese company agreed not to participate in the association’s activities due to EU-imposed restrictions.
Transparent amorphous-silicon solar cell lets in more than 60% of visible light
Scientists in Spain have developed an amorphous-silicon solar cell that could be used in both transparent photovoltaics and tandem applications. The device reportedly achieves notable efficiency levels and may offer an alternative to transparent organic photovoltaics.
Silver prices surge, yet ‘thrifting’ poses little threat to solar cell, module quality
With silver prices nearing $50 per ounce, researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) tell pv magazine that efforts to reduce silver use in solar cells will not compromise module quality if properly engineered.
Perovskite quantum dot solar cell achieves record-breaking efficiency of 18.3%
Conceived by scientists in China, the cell was built with an alkaline treatment that modulates efficiently the perovskite quantum dots surface chemistry. The device reportedly achieved the highest power conversion efficiency ever reported for this kind of solar cells.
Optimal sizing for AC multi-bus microgrids based on solar, storage
A French–Moroccan research group has developed a two-stage hierarchical techno-economic model to optimize AC multi-bus microgrids in remote areas. This microgrid configuration is more complex than that of standalone systems but offers several advantages in terms of cost efficiency and energy reliability.
Kuwait shortlists five bidders for 500 MW solar project
The solar facility is planned for construction in the Jahra Governorate, with the selected developer to be awarded a 30-year power purchase agreement.
Solar module prices to rise 9% in Q4, says Wood Mackenzie
Wood Mackenzie says module prices will climb as China ends export rebates and consolidates polysilicon production.
New control strategy for grid-forming inverters
Researchers in the United States have created a droop control strategy for grid-forming inverters that purportedly improves power system frequency stability. By using an exponential active power–frequency relationship, the novel technique optimizes the use of available headroom, reduces frequency deviations, and enhances overall grid resilience.
Clivet debuts indoor heat pump for residential use
The Italian manufacturer said that its new monobloc propane heat pump can produce hot water at temperatures of up to 70 C, with a coefficient of performance of up to 5.31.
U.S. startup unveils zinc-polyiodid redox flow battery with energy density of 320 Wh/L
BESSt announced that its new redox flow battery technology delivers 20 times the energy density of conventional vanadium flow storage systems. The battery is based on a zinc–polyiodide redox flow chemistry developed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
