PV-driven mobile homes for disaster recovery
Researchers in Japan have demonstrated solar-powered mobile homes including a bedroom and living room with an integrated kitchen, bathroom, restroom, and lavatory. Their work demonstrates how renewable energy can enhance resilience in temporary housing solutions, reducing reliance on external power sources.
New algorithm for fault detection in renewables microgrids
An Iraqi-Canadian research team has created a new algorithm that can detect direction change in the line current of renewables-based microgrids. The novel approach can be applied to both grid-forming and grid-following infrastructures.
First Solar sues JinkoSolar for alleged TOPCon patent infringement
First Solar has sued JinkoSolar in a US federal court in Delaware, claiming that the Chinese manufacturer infringed upon US Patent No. 9,130,074, which is related to tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar technology.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Renshine Solar working on new perovskite factory
Renshine Solar says it is building a gigawatt-scale perovskite PV module factory in Jiangsu province, with a planned investment of CNY 1.25 billion ($172.4 million). Its perovskite solar panels hit a power conversion efficiency of 18.4% in January 2024.
Canadian startup unveils substring inverter prototypes
Daanaa says its news Zodiac substring inverter delivers up to 42% more energy than a regular setup.
Strawberry fields forever, and with transparent PV
Scientists have grown strawberries under thin-film cadmium telluride panels with varying transparency. They found that 40% transparency maintained a greater than 80% yield of uncovered plants. If all strawberry farms in the world were converted to agrivoltaics, they would produce up to 173 TWh a year.
New method to predict potential induced degradation in glass-glass TOPCon solar modules
A research group led by Chinese manufacturer Trina Solar has outlined a new approach to predict potential induced degradation (PID) in dual-glass solar panels under multiple typical field conditions. The novel methodology is claimed to facilitate simultaneous PID and light exposure.
EnergySage ranks top solar panel brands in US market
EnergySage, a residential PV marketplace operator, has released a review of the top solar panel brands in the US market.
Spanish company unveils PV-driven thermal system for self-consumption
Spain’s H2 Fusión says its Solar Heat PR5 system uses PV energy to produce hot water for self-consumption in industrial buildings, reaching temperatures of up to 92 C.
Colored modules for building-integrated photovoltaics
Taking inspiration from the 3D photonic structures on a Morpho butterfly’s shimmering blue wings, scientists at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have developed colored solar panels that can be incorporated into a building’s exterior practically invisibly while maintaining high efficiency.
