Researchers in China have developed an optimized version of the whale optimization algorithm that reportedly indentifies the optimal area ratio of rooftop PV systems and solar collectors used in combination with air source heat pumps. They demonstrated that the installation area of photovoltaic modules and collectors affects both the power side and the thermal side.

Mitsubishi’s monobloc Hydrolution EZY can reportedly produce domestic hot water up to 60 C when outdoor temperatures reach -25 C. It is available in two versions, with outputs of 10 kW and 14 kW.

Researchers in China have assessed the impact of using up to 50% of the Sahara desert for the deployment of large scale solar power plants and have found these may impact the global cloud cover through disturbed atmospheric teleconnections. This, in turn, would impact solar power generation itself in North Africa, Southern Europe, the Southern Arabian Peninsula, India, North Asia, and even Eastern Australia.

The Omani authorities aim to develop a 500 MW solar project in Ibri, in northwestern Oman, where other PV facilities are located.

Scientists in Norway have assessed how BIPV façades may react to fire accidents following a typical fire test for building façades. They found that flame propagation in the wall cavity is possible, despite the very limited amounts of combustible material, and that flames may propagate on the entire façade very quickly.

Researchers in Hungary have proposed to build photovoltaic trees with a significant distance between the solar panels. The proposed sunflower-shaped design reportedly reduces shading losses between the panels while improving cooling and heat dissipation.

Italian researchers have assessed the global PV supply chain and say that the EU climate strategy should foster European production of renewable energy technologies.

The proposed converter is also aimed at acting as a protective layer for solar cells. It relies on a glass-ceramic material that can reportedly absorb UV photons from solar radiation and re-emit them as visible light.

The triple-junction solar cell is based on a 15.0%-efficient top perovskite solar cell modified with potassium thiocyanate (KSCN) and methylammonium iodide (MAI). According to its creators, the triple-junction device displays a remarkable power conversion efficiency improvement compared to state-of-the-art devices.

France’s new feed-in tariffs (FITs) for the period from August 2023 to January 2024 range from €0.2077 ($0.2270)/kWh for installations below 3 kW to €0.1208/kWh for arrays ranging in size from 100 kW to 500 kW.