Reducing PV module temperature with water, thermoelectric coolers
Scientists in India have suggested to use thermoelectric cooling to enhance PV module performance. Through a field experiment, they found that thermoelectric coolers combined with water can reduce solar module temperature by up to 38 C.
Dual-axis solar tracker based on UV, MEMS sensors
Researchers have designed a new tracking system that utilizes an arithmetic optimization-based PID controller. The proposed tracker uses two different sensor types – a UV sensor and a micro-electromechanical solar (MEMS) sensor. The first one calculates the intensity of UV radiation received from the sun, and the second one forecasts the sun’s path across the sky.
Hydronic closed-loop cooling system for photovoltaic modules
An international research team has developed a closed-loop PV cooling system that can reportedly offer 24-hour continuous operation. The system is claimed to be particularly suitable for hot and arid regions and to improve the lifespan of solar panels by up to 8.2%.
Solar panels could raise value of houses by up to 7.1%
Using a range of machine-learning techniques, a group of scientists found that PV systems can significantly increase the value of a property in the United Kingdom. The analysis was based on property data from Zoopla, one of the leading providers of UK property listings, and price paid data sourced from the government’s Land Registry from 2012-2018.
Floating photovoltaics for hydrogen generation, storage
New research from the UK shows that Oman could utilize a floating PV farm at the Wadi Dayqah Dam for hydrogen generation. The scientist said the project is technical viabile, although only with advancements in hydrogen energy storage technology could make it economically feasible.
New deterioration diagnosis tech for individual modules in PV panel strings
Conceived by scientists in Japan, the system consists of a a xenon flash lighting system and a detector capacitor. It can reportedly examine solar modules and find the degraded ones without disconnecting the string’s electrical wiring.
New tool to estimate cities’ rooftop PV potential considers roof superstructures
Called SolarNet+, the novel framework is claimed to calculate cities’ PV potential not only by finding the orientation of roofs in areal imagery but also by identifying superstructures such as windows or chimneys. It was tested using areal photographs from Munich and Brussels and proved superior to reference frameworks.
Weiheng Ecactus releases three-phase all-in-one battery storage system
The Chinese manufacturer’s new battery energy storage system consists of an inverter ranging in size from 5 kW to 13 kW and a storage system of 10 kWh to 30 kWh. Up to five units can be connected in parallel.
Solar cell based on 2D Dion-Jacobson perovskite achieves 19.11% efficiency
Chinese researchers claim to have developed an “ultrastable” perovskite solar cell based on a two-dimensional, Dion-Jacobson phase perovskite. The device was constructed with blade coating technology and is scalable, according to its creators.
Mibet releases mounting system for utility-scale PV
The Chinese company said its new GT1 product is made out of hot-dip galvanized Q235B steel and can withstand wind speeds of up to 60m/s.
