Experimental system cools PV panels while keeping them clean
Researchers had placed a cotton sheet on the back of a PV module, which was then made wet and cooled. On the front side, water was pumped water from a pipe in a way that kept the panel both cool and clean. Their experimental setup showed superior results compared to reference cooling technologies.
U.S. solar installations forecast to decline 1% annually through next decade
Solar may have had a peak year in 2024, as persistent challenges in interconnection labor and more are forecast to lead to 1% annual declines through 2035, said a report from Wood Mackenzie.
TCL launches propane heat pump for residential applications
The Chinese solar manufacturer entered the heat pump business with a new product that can reportedly provide hot water up to 75 C and achieve a coefficient of performance of up to 5.0. It uses propane as a refrigerant and has sound levels of 48 db(A) to 66 db(A).
Enhancing PV glazing prospects in solar architecture
To make it easier to adopt building integrated PV (BIPV) as a glazing material, a group within the IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA-PVPS) has tackled the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) calculation for BIPV. It is part of IEA PVPS Task 15 international standardization efforts.
Renewables accounted for 54.1% of total electricity in Spain in February
The main source of production for the month was nuclear (22.1%), followed by hydroelectric (20.2%), wind (17.3%), photovoltaic (14%) and combined cycle (13.8%). In addition, 237 GWh have been supplied to storage facilities and 1,214 GWh have been scheduled to export energy to our neighbouring countries.
China’s power reform could boost solar module demand, prices, says S&P Global
Analysis by S&P Global suggests new power pricing measures in China could bring a rush of new installations in the country during the first half of the year and lead to an increase in solar module prices first domestically, then internationally.
Canada deploys 314 MW of solar in 2024
Canada installed 314 MW of solar in 2024, bringing its cumulative installed PV capacity to more than 5 GW, says the Canadian Renewable Energy Association.
Carrier introduces residential R32 air-to-water heat pump
The new product features a coefficient of performance of 4.9 and sound levels of 52–56 db(A).
Ireland has more than 500 MW of distributed solar
According to data from a newly launched tracker tool by Kilowatt.ie for small-scale solar in Ireland, capacity has grown from 20 MW in 2019 to 500 MW currently. Growth has surged since 2022, thanks to policy changes.
Fortress Power introduces 9.6 kWh stackable home battery
The battery stacks up to three units for 28.8 kWh and is rated for 8000 cycles at a 70% depth-of-discharge.
