Using shunts to spot PV module degradation
Scientists in Ireland investigated the effect of shunt resistance on a PV cell’s electrical performance. The group says its finding could potentially lead to the development of models for early detection of various forms of cell degradation, allowing for intervention to repair or replace components before major power losses occur.
PVcase raises $100 million to fuel expansion
PVcase, a Lithuania-based solar project software company, raised $100 million to expand the market for its platform and extend its capability.
Meyer Burger builds 2 GW solar cell factory in US
Meyer Burger plans to start a 2 GW cell factory in Colorado in the fourth quarter of this year.
Japanese real estate firm starts residential solar hydrogen project
Sekisui House-W is testing a pilot project consisting of a residential PV system, a small-sized electrolyzer, hydrogen-absorbing alloy tanks, and a fuel cell. The company said the hydrogen storage alloys used in the project have higher energy density than battery storage.
Single-junction III-V solar cell based on spalled GaAs substrate achieves 26.9% efficiency
NREL researchers used acoustically spalled gallium arsenide substrate that reportedly reduces electrical shunting, resulting in potentially lower manufacturing costs. The cell achieved an open-circuit voltage of 1.061 V, a short-circuit current density of 29.9 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 84.9%.
Autonomous robots gaining traction with solar installers
Sarcos Robotics and Terabase Energy recently announced key business developments, underscoring how installation robots are increasingly moving from test centers to the field.
Revkor, H2 Gemini unveil plan to build 20 GW HJT perovskite cell, module factory in U.S.
The two companies are targeting to reach an annual production capacity of 20 GW by the end of 2025. Manufacturing activities are scheduled to begin in the second quarter of next year.
German research institute unveils 99.74% efficient power electronics for solid-fuel heat pumps
Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics (IAF) has developed an ultra-efficient circuit topology for voltage converters with an electrical efficiency of 99.74%. The tech could considerably raise the coefficient of performance for electrocaloric heat pumps and the scientists are now considering components based on semiconductor gallium nitride (GaN) for higher power density and efficiency.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: January-June solar installations hit 78.42 GW
China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) says the nation installed 78.42 GW of solar in the first six months of this year, bringing it to nearly 470 GW of cumulative installed PV capacity by the end of June.
‘As always in solar, those who wait are those who lose,’ says Otovo CEO
Andreas Thorsheim, the CEO of Norway-based residential solar specialist Otovo, recently spoke with pv magazine about high inventory levels for solar modules in Europe and falling panel prices. He said there will be a strong buyer’s market this fall and noted that the latest modules off the boat are the cheapest.
