U.S.-made perovskite-silicon tandem solar modules could be produced at around $0.35/W
Techno-economic analysis conducted by NREL researchers has shown how perovskite-silicon tandem solar modules could currently hardly compete in cost with incumbent PV panels. Production costs for U.S.-made tandem products were found to range between $0.29/W and $0.42/W, with module efficiencies ranging from 25% to 30%.
Korean scientists build PV-powered supercapacitor with 35.5 Wh/kg energy density
Scientists in Korea have fabricated a solar-powered charging device that can reportedly achieve a power density of 2,555.6 W kg and an energy efficiency of 63%. The system uses nickel-based compounds to enhance the electrochemical performance of its electrodes.
UK-African consortium explores perovskite solar manufacturing potential in Africa
The UK’s University of Swansea is leading a consortium that aims to develop sustainable next-generation perovskite solar manufacturing in Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Kenya.
Romania finances 1.5 GW solar panel factory
Romania’s Ministry of Energy has given the green light to a 1.5 GW solar panel factory to be built in the northeastern part of the country.
Novel MPPT tech based on salp swarm, hill climbing algorithms
Researchers have suggested to use a hybrid version of the so-called salp swarm algorithm (SSA) algorithm for maximum power point tracking in PV systems operating under highly fluctuating environmental conditions. The novel method also integrates the hill climbing algorithm, which simulates the process of climbing a mountain and reportedly helps find the best possible solution to a given problem.
Vertical rooftop PV performs better than conventional rooftop solar under the snow
A case study analysis by Norway’s Over Easy Solar has found that vertical rooftop solar panels outperform conventional rooftop PV systems during snowy months. Energy yield was up to 30% higher in the winter months in Norway, according to the company.
Gold Plus Glass enters solar glass manufacturing
Indian float glass manufacturer Gold Plus Glass has commissioned a new PV glass factory with an installed production capacity of 109,500 metric tons per year.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: China Huadian launches 18 GW inverter tender
China Huadian Corp. has launched an 18 GW inverter procurement tender seeking string inverters 300 kW and above, with 1,500 V DC input voltage and 10% overload capacity. Bidding starts on Feb. 6, 2025.
GCL SI enters back contact business with 660 W solar module
Chinese module maker GCL SI has expanded into back contact (BC) solar cell production with its first 660 W BC module, featuring tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) technology.
The impact of wildfires on PV power generation
Scientists have quantified the impact of wildfires on the availability of direct normal irradiance and global horizontal irradiance at the state, regional, and national levels in the United States. They have found that direct irradiance is more sensitive to smoke than the PV-relevant global horizontal irradiance.
