Quality

A team of researchers in Canada has developed the Jericho Open Resistive Data Logger—an open-access photovoltaic (PV) monitoring platform that integrates data acquisition and processing hardware, a software framework, and a comprehensive sensor array. Designed primarily for agrivoltaic applications, the system has a total estimated cost of around $2,000.

Scientists in China have developed a new deep learning model based on the so-called “You Only Look Once” algorithm, which requires only one forward propagation pass through the neural network to make predictions,

Researchers in Qatar have used an algorithm relying on a variant of the popular logic-based puzzle to determine the optimal way to eliminate cluster shading. They have tested the new approach under fixed and moving shadows.

Italy’s fire service has introduced binding guidelines for PV systems up to 1,500 V, adding rules on storage, spacing, compartmentalization, and maintenance.

Scientists from Spain have developed a daylight electroluminescence method that uses other strings to supply current to the inspected string. It was simulated and then tested in two 50 MW PV plants. Comparative assessment against lab-electroluminescence resulted in acceptable diagnostic performance.

Scientists in Hong Kong have developed a patch that effectively cools down PV panels and utilizes waste heat for freshwater production. It has three layers: an atmospheric water harvester, a thermal regulation layer, and an adhesive layer. Maximum power density reportedly increased by over 28% in a folded version of the ultra-cooling patch.

Is the solar industry’s focus on cutting costs undermining module reliability, safety and lifecycle economics?

An international research team has tested a hybrid control technique combining adapted perturb and observe (APO) with model-predictive control to address complex partial shading in solar arrays. The method, validated through simulation and physical experiments, reportedly outperforms existing approaches.

A group led by Cambridge University has developed an adhesive-free method of bonding ultra-thin gallium arsenide solar cells to borosilicate glass. The proposed technique is reportedly compatible with standard planar device processing.

Researchers in China have used electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to analyze the state of health of sodium-ion batteries. Extracting four features from the measurements, they were able to create a machine learning model for a temperature-resistant state of health estimation method.