PV-driven drip irrigation system with compressed air storage
The proposed system uses compressed air to store energy, as well as for the prevention of clogging in the irrigation tubes. Two experimental systems were built and tested in China and clogging was reduced by up to 93%.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Longi, TCL Zhonghuan raise silicon wafer prices
Longi has raised silicon wafer prices to CNY 1.15 ($0.16) for N-G10L wafers and CNY 1.30 for N-G12R wafers, while TCL Zhonghuan has increased its prices to CNY 1.15 for G10N wafers, CNY 1.30 for G12RN wafers, and CNY 1.50 for G12N wafers.
New coating prevents plant growth on underwater solar cells
The US Navy has funded Danish research on preventing biofouling while maintaining visible light transmission on underwater solar cells. The top solution uses ultra-low concentrations of nano-sized, seawater-soluble pigments. Power generation stayed close to 100% after 13 weeks underwater.
Lightweight mobility with vehicle-integrated photovoltaics
A European consortium of commercial and research groups is developing lighter weight, solar-powered, cost-conscious, three and four-wheel prototype vehicles for passengers and cargo. The $13.4 million project aims for a platform that has standardized components, including the battery, powertrain, and solar PV parts, as well as support for end-of-life, maintenance, and refurbishment.
Tindo Solar, Capral to team up in Australian solar panel supply chain
Australian solar panel manufacturer Tindo Solar has revealed the first link in a domestic downstream supply chain that is to support a planned sixfold increase in its annual output, via a supply arrangement with Capral Aluminium.
New process to recover silver from end-of-life solar cells achieves 98% efficiency
Scientists have used hydrometallurgical and electrochemical processes to recover pure silver from solar cells. The proposed technique also utilizes a method known as electrodeposition-redox replacement, which reportedly increases the silver recovery rate.
Scientists design dichalcogenide solar cells based on tungsten diselenide
The researchers outlined a “scalable” manufacturing process that reportedly results in a tungsten diselenide film with an efficiency of up to 22.3%. The proposed technique could facilitate the mass production of high-efficiency multilayer WSe2 solar cells at low cost.
Bulgaria gives green light to solar cell, panel factory
The Bulgarian government has approved a memorandum of understanding with Turkey’s Smart Solar Technologies AD for the construction of a solar cell and panel factory in southern Bulgaria.
Automating solar PV perovskite material discovery
U.S. researchers have applied robotics and automation to perovskite material discovery for use in tandem perovskite solar cell technologies. The robotic platform is multifunctional, able to mix precursors, perform spin coating, annealing and characterization of the optoelectronic thin films.
Nanoparticles, phase-change materials in PVT systems
Scientists have used varying levels of Al₂O₃ and ZnO paraffin wax to improve the electrical and thermal performance of a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) system. They have also developed a prediction model for this specific combination of hybrid nano-phase change materials.
