Controlling water-to-water CO2 heat pump for optimal coefficient of performance
Scientists have designed a novel control approach for water-to-water heat pumps that use carbon dioxide. They relied on a virtual heat pump for their tests. The coefficient of performance (COE) improved by up to 14.6%.
Scientists develop thermal model for floating solar with 15.45% efficiency
Scientists have developed a multi-physics thermal model for panels with a natural convection cooling loop and tested it against experimental data. They have also experimented with varying the coolant channel thickness and different coolants. The highest measured electrical efficiency reached 15.45%.
Pumping underground water in the desert with PV, wind
Scientists have designed a system that combines solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage to operate water pumping systems in Jordan. They simulated it under several scenarios in search of the optimal size.
Scientist develops machine-learning method to identify faulty solar panels
A scientist in Sweden has developed a new hybrid local features-based method using thermographs to identify faulty solar panels.
TU Delft scientists integrate power electronics for MPPT in solar modules
A research team in the Netherlands investigated how copper planar air-core inductors can yield the required inductor properties to support sub-module power conversion in PV modules. The scientists claim that implementing MPPT at the sub-module level can increase the panel’s tolerance to shade.
Midea Hiconics releases new residential all-in-one battery storage systems
The Chinese company says its three-phase Hienergy series can pair with PV arrays of up to 8.5 kW, with battery storage reaching up to 40.8 kWh.
Self-powering greenhouse based on PV, BESS, hydrogen
Scientists have designed a greenhouse system that involves a battery energy storage system, hydrogen production and storage, as well as a semi-transparent PV array. The system was optimized for maximal net present value and minimal dependency on the grid.
Testing rigid connectors in floating photovoltaics
New research from China shows that using rigid connectors instead of polyester ropes in floating photovoltaic arrays may help reduce the relative motion of floats and simplify the layout of the connection system.
Cooling PV modules with lauric acid and nanoparticles
Thai researchers developed three organic phase-change material (PCM) mixtures with nanoparticles to cool PV modules and improve efficiency. They used lauric acid blended with aluminum oxide, copper oxide, and magnesium oxide in an optimal 94:6 weight ratio, boosting module efficiency by up to 14.11%.
Researchers complete Europe’s first PV soiling loss assessment
A European research group has adapted a soiling model for use across the continent, analyzing scenarios with complete and partial rain cleaning to calculate energy losses and increases in the levelized cost of energy (LCOE), marking Europe’s first techno-economic PV soiling assessment.
