Five core challenges of the European solar photovoltaics research and innovation
In its latest monthly column for pv magazine, the European Technology and Innovation Platform for Photovoltaics (ETIP PV) presents its Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), published in collaboration with the European Energy Research Alliance for PV (EERA-PV).
Winaico releases 525 W TOPCon solar panels
Taiwanese manufacturer Winaico has developed new 525 W TOPCon solar panels with a power conversion efficiency of 22.1% and a temperature coefficient of -0.30% per degree Celsius.
Floating PV for waterparks
Prefabricated floating solar PV provider Sunlit Sea, based in Norway, has provided its floaters for a 60 kW floating array installed at a waterpark in Germany.
Hail-prone areas may require solar modules with 4 mm-thick front glass
New research from India claims solar modules with 3.2 mm-thick front glass may not be strong enough to withstand storms producing big hailstones. The scientists found that a front glass of at least 4 mm should be used to avoid significant damage.
New mooring system for offshore, coastal floating PV arrays
The novel mooring solution consists of perimeter pontoons, barriers, clump weights, mooring lines and anchors. Its creators claim it is cheaper in materials and maintenance, as well as more wave-stable, compared to mooring systems using elastic cables.
Airtouch Solar launches cleaning robot solution for utility scale PV
Airtouch Solar Group has launched a cleaning solution for utility-scale solar PV plants to provide autonomous, water-free panel surface cleaning. The 4-meter cleaning unit weighs less than 40 kg and is commonly utilized in arid and dusty locations.
Well-irrigated roofs with vegetation have cooling effect on PV systems
Scientists in the Netherlands have assessed how the so-called blue-green roofs can help reduce the operating temperature of rooftop PV panels and have found they provide a significant cooling effect. The irrigation system used for the research project relies on an additional water supply sourced from grey water from showers that is transformed into irrigation water.
Indian oil giant enlists PV panel manufacturers for solar projects
A subsidiary of Oil and Natural Gas Corp. is recruiting solar panel suppliers and manufacturers for its future PV projects across India.
Vena launches plan to support solar, storage ‘megaproject’ in Indonesia
Singapore-based developer Vena Energy says it will investigate opportunities to make solar panel components and battery energy storage systems in Indonesia, in order to support a hybrid megaproject with up to 2 GW of solar and more than 8 GWh of energy storage.
Waaree Energies raises $121 million to expand solar production
Waaree Energies says it will use the latest $121 million equity investment to build 6 GW of solar wafer-to-module manufacturing capacity.
