Solar fridges for the developing world
As climate change leads to more electricity blackouts and brownouts, the reliability of everyday refrigeration is at risk. A new IEC Standard, together with solar innovations in Africa and Asia, demonstrates how cooling can continue when power grids falter.
Researchers discover photovoltaic properties in zinc-based film
Research from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has found zinc-phosphate-hydrate (ZPH) films are capable of producing electricity from light. The coating’s photovoltage was amplified when anthocyanin, a natural dye found in blackberries, was added.
Japan launches R&D call for tandem perovskite solar cell mass production
Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) is accepting proposals for a six-year R&D program to advance large-scale manufacturing technologies and field testing of next-generation tandem perovskite solar cells.
Freight costs steady after early September spike
Freight costs, which contribute towards the total cost of a solar installation, have fallen week-on-week on trade lines out of the Far East, helping to offset a price surge in the US-bound short-term market recorded at the start of September.
French startup launches solar-based EV charging optimization system
DejaBlue has developed a plug-and-play energy management system that boosts self-consumption and cuts costs for PV-powered EV charging sites.
IPVF demonstrates 16.8%-efficient mini bifacial perovskite solar module
The French research institute said the bifacial wide bandgap perovskite technology is to be scaled in size to 60 cm x 30 cm for use in four-terminal perovskite-silicon tandem panels.
Astrobotic, Honda developing vertical solar, storage solution for lunar missions
Pittsburgh-based aerospace company Astrobotic and Honda’s North American subsidiary are working on integrating Astrobotic’s vertical solar array technology with Honda’s regenerative fuel cell system to develop a power and storage solution capable of supporting prolonged exploration of the moon.
China wafer prices end four-week rally amid stable polysilicon, cooling demand
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
Solar module prices to rise 9% in Q4, says Wood Mackenzie
Wood Mackenzie says module prices will climb as China ends export rebates and consolidates polysilicon production.
New sieving tech for solar cell silver recovery
Researchers at University of New South Wales have reported details about a novel sieving-aids technology that improves the separation of metal fragments from other components when recycling end-of-life PV panels. The patented process reportedly enhances the recovery of silver.
