Color characterization technique for BIPV
Scientists in Switzerland have created a new technique to characterize the color of BIPV panels. The method uses an optical fiber spectrometer to detect color characterization signals.
Renewables-powered high temperature heat pumps are cheapest option for industrial steam
New research from Austria has compared different industrial heat-generating techniques and has found that wind or solar-powered heat pumps are the cheapest and most environment-friendly solution.
Energy trade model for interconnected renewable microgrids
Scientists from China proposed a new method for energy trade optimization between interconnected microgrids and the main utility grid. The novel approach utilizes particle swarm optimization and gravitational search algorithms with Nash Bargaining.
Solar-assisted heat pump for biomass drying
Scientists from Finland have built an experimental system that allows the drying of woody biomass with solar thermal energy and a heat pump. They claim PV may play a complementary role in the proposed setup.
Researchers apply thresholding to PV soiling image analysis
Thresholding methods have commonly been used to characterize the soiling accumulated on glass coupons. Researchers led by the Sapienza University of Rome have identified 16 automatic thresholding methods that may be used for analyzing soiling on PV panels.
Optical photovoltaic converters for power transmission systems
Researchers from Spain have developed a novel model to evaluate optical photovoltaic converters used in high-power optical transmission. They have found that indium gallium nitride (InGaN) and indium aluminum nitride (InAlN) semiconductors could provide better results than gallium arsenide (GaAs).
Vaysunic launches hybrid photovoltaic water heater
The Chinese manufacturer says that its new V series heaters can use either PV or AC grid power. It can also be controlled and monitored via WiFi.
How to integrate residential solar-plus-storage with vehicle-to-home systems
Researchers from Australia have created a model to optimize the interaction between vehicle-to-home (V2H) systems and residential PV connected to battery storage. They claim V2H can help reduce the cost of energy by 16.7% for workplace charging and 25% for public charging.
Vaysunic releases new microinverters
Chinese manufacturer Vaysunic New Energy has developed eight versions of its VM microinverters. Their AC output power ranges from 600 W to 1,000 W.
Mibet launches floating PV array system for offshore applications
Mibet, a Chinese mounting system supplier, says its new G5 product is capable of withstanding wind gusts of more than 60 meters per second. It uses high density polyethylene floats and aluminum alloy support legs.
