Skip to content

Alpha Innotec launches new residential heat pumps

The German manufacturer said the new air-to-water systems are part of its Hybrox series. Their coefficient of performance is between 4.3 and 5.3 and their size ranges from 11 kW to 16 kW.

Maxeon unveils TOPCon solar module series for rooftop PV

Maxeon said its new Sunpower Performance 7 panel series features a power conversion efficiency of up to 22.7% and an operating temperature coefficient of -0.29% C.

Perovskite solar cell based on playdough-like graphite electrodes achieves 20.29% efficiency

Researchers in China have fabricated a carbon-based perovskite solar cells that achieves almost the same efficiency as perovskite counterparts based on gold electrodes while also providing higher stability. The novel devices use a playdough-like graphite (PG) electrode that combines the deformable property of carbon paste and the solvent-free property of carbon film.

1

Solar, wind energy curtailment skyrocketed in Japan in fiscal 2023

New figures from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) show that wind and solar power curtailment increased significantly to 1.76 TWh over the past 12 months, from 0.57 TWh in fiscal 2022 and 0.53 TWh in fiscal 2023.

1

PV-powered heat pumps outperform solar thermal-driven counterparts in densely populated areas

New research from Germany showed that PV-powered heat pumps could require less surface than their solar thermal-driven counterparts in district heating networks. The scientists also found that increasing energy prices would have a minimal impact on the viability of both concepts.

New quantum solar cell material promises external quantum efficiency of 190%

The new material consists of an heterostructure combining germanium, selenium, and tin sulfide, which also integrates atoms of zerovalent copper. It features an average photovoltaic absorption over 80% and could help photovoltaic cells break the Shockley-Queisser efficiency limit, according to its creators.

EU launches investigation into Chinese wind turbine suppliers

Margrethe Vestager, the executive vice president of the European Commission, said this week that the EU authorities are investigating the deployment of several wind farms in Spain, Greece, France, Romania and Bulgaria.

1

What could happen to solar inverters in case of high-altitude nuclear weapon testing

Researchers in the United States have investigated the sensitivity of PV inverters to the ectromagnetic pulses caused by high-altitude nuclear explosions during nuclear weapon testing. Their work presents several protection strategies aimed to improve the inverters’ immunity levels.

New research shows laser-assisted firing improves TOPCon solar cell reliability

Chinese manufacturer Jolywood is currently applying a laser-assisted firing process in TOPCon solar cell manufacturing that can reportedly increase contact quality and corrosion resistance, while also reducing production costs. Scientists at the University of South Wales have investigated the impact of this production process on the quality of TOPCon cells and have found it “significantly” improve their reliability.

Micro photovoltaic drone achieves 3.5 min autonomy

The photovoltaic micro aerial vehicle has a footprint of 0.15 m x 0.15 m and a weight of only 0.071 kg. According to its creators, it is the smallest solar-rechargeable multi-rotor ever developed to date. It uses a 22.6%-efficient solar module technology from US-based Sunpower and a 0.3 Ah storage system based on lithium polymer batteries.

1

This website uses cookies to anonymously count visitor numbers. View our privacy policy.

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close