All-perovskite tandem solar cell with 24.9% efficiency via cross-linkable small molecules
Scientists in China found that a change to the hole transport layer material helped to reduce voltage loss in a perovskite solar cell. The discovery demonstrates a promising new pathway to overcoming a major challenge for perovskites – particularly those used as the top layer in a tandem device.
Commission flags up €875m renewables project fund
A call for grant proposals has been promised this month, with the bloc’s executive yesterday firing the gun on a separate exercise related to cross-border EU energy infrastructure projects.
China exported 37 GW of panels in five months
A booming overseas market has offset falls in demand in China caused by rising solar module prices, according to Flat Glass. In common with its PV glassmaking rivals, the company is pressing ahead with production expansion, betting reduced prices for its products will feed even greater demand.
Solar-powered airplane to reach the stratosphere
The airplane is powered by 22 square meters of solar cells with an efficiency of up to 24% and 14 kWh of lithium-ion batteries. According to its creators, it can reach an altitude of 25,000m.
Indian coal miner seeks equity partners for 4 GW solar fab
Coal India Ltd. is accepting proposals from parties willing to partner on its proposed 4 GW solar PV ingot-wafer-cell-module manufacturing facility. Applications will be accepted until Sept. 16.
Construction begins on UK’s largest storage project
FRV, Harmony Energy, and Tesla are building a 99 MW/198 MWh facility in Essex. The system will rely on the Megapack solution from the U.S. manufacturer.
Swiss scientists achieve 21.4% efficiency for flexible CIGS solar cell
The result was confirmed by Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE). The cell was fabricated through a low-temperature co-evaporation method for the growth of the light-absorbing CIGS semiconductor thin film.
Direct solar hydrogen generation tech powered by 24.3%-efficient tandem perovskite-silicon solar cell
Developed by Australian scientists, the demonstrated system is claimed to achieve a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 20% at a levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) of $4.10/kg. The direct solar hydrogen generation technology is powered by a tandem perovskite-silicon solar cell with an unprecedented high open-circuit voltage of 1.271 V, and a power conversion efficiency of 24.3%.
Co-evaporated perovskite solar cell with 19.5% efficiency
German scientists have built a perovskite solar cell with spiro-TTB as a hole transport material, via the thermal co-evaporation method. The solar cell has an open-circuit voltage of 1.08 V, a fill factor of 83.0%, and a short-circuit current of 21.6 mA cm.
‘World’s largest lead-acid battery output’ planned in Greece
Manufacturer Sunlight plans to invest €30 million to add 1.3 GWh of annual production capacity of lead-acid products by the third quarter of next year. The company will also devote €20 million to expanding its lithium-ion battery assembly lines.
