German consortium aims for backsheets with 40-year lifecycle
The “Folie40” project involves backsheet makers, solar module manufacturers, and research institutions such as Folienwerk Wolfen, Meyer Burger, Aluminum Féron, Fraunhofer ISE, and the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences.
New intraday solar forecast method focuses on cloud temporal variability
The new SolarSTEPS forecasting method improves ensemble forecast quality by 9.3% compared to approaches that consider only cloud advective motion.
Chinese institute unveils 26.1%-efficient perovskite PV cell with new additive
The Chinese Academy of Sciences has unveiled a high-efficiency perovskite solar cell with a purported peak efficiency rating of 26.1%, by using 1-(Phenylsulfonyl)pyrrole (PSP) as an additive. The cell is third-party certified with an efficiency of 25.2%, and it maintains 92% of its original efficiency after 2,500 hours of operation.
Huawei reveals safety, yield performance data for optimizers
Huawei has released a white paper regarding the safety and performance of its Smart Module Controller optimizer series.
New design parameters for photovoltaic-thermal air collectors
A UK-based research team has developed a new design technique for photovoltaic-thermal air collectors. The new parameters reportedly enable devices with lower PV module temperatures and higher efficiencies.
ClearVue to add 82 kW of solar glass to greenhouse in California
ClearVue plans to install clear solar glass on a System USA greenhouse in California, adding 82 kW of power.
Solar cell prices plunge to all-time low
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.
New attempt to build solar cells based on gallium-arsenide-nitrogen-bismuth
A Finnish-German research group has developed a 6 × 6 mm low bandgap GaAsNBi solar cell with an active area of 0.25 cm2. The device has an energy bandgap of 0.86 eV and is reportedly suitable for applications in multi-junction solar cells.
German startup deploys mobile dual-axis solar tracker in South Africa
SunOyster Energy has installed its PVmover system to supply power for a lodge in South Africa’s Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. It includes nine PV modules with a combined capacity of 3.8 kW.
PV equipment sales are up with high share of exports, says VDMA
German engineering association the VDMA reports strong PV equipment exports in the second quarter, representing 92.5% of sales. Overall, PV equipment sales were up by 50% compared to the first quarter of the year and up slightly compared to the same period last year, but incoming orders for PV equipment were down by 14%.
