PV-powered underground heat exchanger for buildings
Researchers in India have designed a PV-powered earth-to-air heat exchanger to provide buildings with space heating and cooling. They say the proposed system could result in an annual energy gain of 8116.7 kWh.
Solar panels on downed Chinese balloon could support advanced radar
The US authorities took down a Chinese balloon off the coast of South Carolina earlier this year that featured contained 10 kW of solar capacity – similar to a typical rooftop PV installation.
Inflation Reduction Act triggered plans for 46 factories, says industry group
Since the passage of the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) last August, the utility-scale clean power sector has announced $150 billion in funding, 46 new manufacturing facilities, and nearly 20,000 new jobs, according to the American Clean Power Association.
Growatt introduces LFP solar generator for portable, off-grid use
Growatt is taking pre-sale orders for the Infinity 1300, a lithium iron phosphate battery with 3,000-plus cycle life.
New vertical PV system for parking areas
German module maker Luxor Solar and Japan’s AirWater are selling vertical PV systems for parking areas that can reportedly provide the same energy yield as conventional PV carports, but with less space. The system features 460 W heterojunction solar panels, power optimizers, and vertical racks.
US startup secures $3 million to develop organic PV-coated windows
Next Energy Technologies has secured a grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to develop its organic photovoltaic coating for commercial windows.
Hybrid wind-solar power system for residential applications
Dutch startup Airturb has developed a 500 W hybrid wind-solar power system featuring a vertical axis wind turbine and a solar base hosting four 30 W solar panels. The system can be used for rooftop or off-grid applications.
Yingli releases 435 W n-type TOPCon solar panel with 22.28% efficiency
Yingli is offering six versions of its 108-cell Panda 3.0 PRO modules, with power outputs ranging from 410 W to 435 W and efficiencies ranging from 21.0% to 22.28%.
Getting real on forced labor
While few can doubt the emission-reduction might of solar; forced- and child labor in clean power supply chains is becoming a hot issue, which is why the EU is mulling a ban on goods proven to have traces of such labor practices. Diana Zadorozhna, a partner at renewables consultancy Everoze, looks at what companies can do to prepare for forced-labor legislation.
Top PV module manufacturers by shipment volume in 2022
TrendForce has ranked the top six module manufacturers by shipment volume in 2022, with Longi topping the list, followed by Trina Solar and JinkoSolar. JA Solar, Canadian Solar, and Risen Energy rounded out the top six, in a year dominated by large-format modules.
