Concentrating photovoltaic-thermal system with 91% efficiency
A global research team has developed a parabolic trough linear concentrating photovoltaic-thermal system to produce heat and electricity, for both residential and large-scale applications. The PV unit relies on Azure Space’s multi-junction solar cells, based on indium gallium phosphide (InGaP), gallium arsenide (GaAs) and germanium (Ge).
Australian startup to replace silver with copper in solar cell manufacturing
Startup SunDrive has secured US$2.2 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to help scale its low-cost, high-efficiency solar cell manufacturing process.
Futurasun doubles production capacity to 1 GW
The module manufacturer has opened its second 500 MW factory in China.
Singulus bags Japanese order for heterojuction cell equipment
The German PV equipment provider will deliver ‘Silex II’ machines to an unnamed client.
NREL scientists build all-perovskite tandem solar cell with 23.1% efficiency
The U.S. based researchers have developed a new wide-bandgap perovskite layer – called Apex Flex – which they claim is able to withstand heat, light, and operational tests, and at the same time provide a reliable and high voltage. With this material, they built tandem solar cells with 23.1% power conversion efficiency on a rigid substrate, and 21.3% on flexible plastic.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: 10 GW for Canadian Solar in Jiangsu
Canadian Solar has agreed to invest $1.5 billion in a 10 GW solar cell and module factory in eastern China. GCL New Energy, meanwhile, has revealed the terms of a plan to sell a solar project portfolio to state-owned Huaneng.
Chemical assist for stable perovskite cells at 23% efficiency
Scientists at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne have developed a new ‘chemical innovation’, for the deposition of perovskite solar cells onto a substrate. The method is shown to produce cells at better than 23% efficiency, that remained stable after 500 hours testing at a raised temperature.
Cooling PV panels with regasification of liquefied natural gas
Researchers in Israel have suggested the use of regasification of liquefied natural gas to reduce the operating temperature of PV modules in solar parks located at gas terminals. According to them, the feasibility of such a cooling solution could be strengthened by the fact that both the PV systems and the LNG regasification systems are, separately, mature, economical technologies.
EU wants lithium self-sufficiency by 2025
As the bloc pushes its digital and green transition agenda, policymakers have looked at the raw materials required. Little is mined, processed or assembled in Europe at present but the European Commission has a plan…
Trina kicks off production of 550 W panels
The PV module manufacturer has started mass production of its Vertex 550 W ultra-high-power modules at its factory in China’s Jiangsu province. It expects to start manufacturing 600 W panels in the first quarter of next year.
