Modules & Upstream Manufacturing

Researchers have covered part of a rooftop solar plant with a different numbers of shading cloth layers to measure their power, current, and voltage. They have been able to identify a point after which the value of system current and maximum power is no longer sensitive to shading heaviness.

Researchers in Slovenia have built a monitoring system for vehicle-integrated photovoltaics consisting of an IV curve scanner that uses a MOSFET as a voltage-controlled electronic load. The system also utilizes an 18-bit analog-to-digital converter and a microchip microcontroller.

Scientists have used stearic acid and a combination of stearic acid and carbon black to increase thermal conductivity in a photovoltaic-thermal system linked to a heliostat field concentrator. From a temperature of 30 C at the inlet, they were able to heat the water to up to 59 C.

Researchers in Morocco have examined the effects of an anti-reflective coating on solar panel performance under desert conditions and have found that it enhanced both the annual performance ratio and the energy yield by 2% and 5.5%, respectively. They have also found it to be durable and able to withstand dry cleaning methods under accelerated testing.

Researchers have conducted a field study across two growing seasons, growing different kinds of vegetables under three types of modules with 40%, 5%, and 0% transparency. Their work is the first replicated research experiment that evaluates module transparency in an irrigated vegetable field setting.

New research from Qatar shows that east-west-oriented vertical PV installations can significantly help reduce soiling in desert climates. The scientists found that PV power generation can be up to 9% higher in vertical systems compared to conventional arrays.

Scientists in the Emirates have developed a novel lightning mast layout that reportedly eliminates shading effect on PV panels. The proposed approach also addresses earth grid requirements under varying moisture conditions.

Scientists in Mexico have conceived a new solar module cooling tech that can reportedly improve PV power generation by up to 2%. The system uses nanofluids embedded in an aluminum single-channel attached to the back of the panel.

Scientists have simulated dozens of electron transport layer-free cell structures and have identified the optimal design with a Zr:In2O3 front transparent electrode, a CuSCN hole transport layer, and a NAN rear transparent electrode. They have also optimized its thickness and bandgap.