Solitek releases half-cut bifacial 420 W TOPCon solar module
Solitek, a Lithuanian manufacturer, has developed a half-cut M10 full black glass-glass tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) module with 420 W of output and a power conversion efficiency of 21.51%.
Thermoelectric generators with PVT energy, nanofluids
An Austrialian-Iranian research team has developed a thermoelectric generator incorporating photovoltaic-thermal panels and nanofluids for cooling.
Sharp unveils 580 W TOPCon solar panel with 22.45% efficiency
Sharp’s new IEC61215- and IEC61730-certified solar panels have an operating temperature coefficient of -0.30% per C and a bifaciality factor of over 80%.
US secondary market for PV modules offers low-cost buying opportunities
EnergyBin has reviewed pricing comparisons and trends in the US secondary market for solar panels.
Photovoltaics for unmanned aerial vehicles
An international research team has identified parameters to integrate PV cells into unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
New research shows impact of dust on PV module temperature, performance
New research from Pakistan shows that dust could reduce PV panel performance through the shielding effect and the “dust-temperature” phenomenon. The scientists tested two PV systems in different parts of the country.
Wacker Chemie’s sales, earnings fall in tough market
German chemical group Wacker Chemie says its sales fell 22% year on year to €6.40 billion ($6.9 billion) in 2023. Its polysilicon division contributed EUR 1.6 billion to sales, down from EUR 2.29 billion in the preceding year.
Canadian startup offers 35%-efficient indoor perovskite PV modules
Canada’s Solaires Entreprises says its indoor perovskite modules are suitable for powering a range of electronic devices, such as wireless keyboards, smart door locks, electronic shelf labels, and sensors.
Cloud fraction nowcasting method for PV applications
Researchers in China have developed a novel way to predict the cloud coverage of PV plants. The method uses geostationary satellite and recurrent-neural networks.
How to combine residential heat pumps with PV, battery storage
New research from Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) has shown that combining rooftop PV systems with battery storage and heat pumps can improve heat pump efficiency while reducing reliance on grid electricity.
