Midea Hiconics releases 30.6 kWh storage system for residential PV
The all-in-one single-phase system can take up to 3,750 W of PV input. It can be stacked with two to six batteries.
Brazilian plastics manufacturer offers reflective membrane for bifacial PV plants
Azul Pack has developed a new reflective membrane to increase albedo and energy yield in photovoltaic plants with bifacial modules. In a fixed structure plant located in Minas Gerais, the technology reportedly resulted in a 7% increase in energy at the inverter output.
New study shows reducing number of solar modules per string reduces risk of hotspots
Scientists in Indonesia have investigated early operational defects in a 24.9 MW solar PV system in Sumatra and have identified hotspot formation as the dominant defect. They also detected 282 cases of glass cracking, 350 cases of junction box failures and shading effects linked to module defects.
Swiss consortium switches on vertical solar-plus-storage project
The Baumgarten solar project consists of a 366 kW ground-mounted vertical PV array and a 2.5 MW/3 MWh storage facility.
PVT-assisted air-source heat pump based on phase-change tank
Scientists in China have designed a photovoltaic-thermal integrated air-source heat pump hot water system that uses a phase change tank to lower energy consumption and achieve higher power generation performance than conventional heat pumps. The system is designed to use water as a working medium and to provide circulation power for forced circulation.
Longi sues JinkoSolar for alleged patent infringement in China, United States
Longi filed the lawsuit in China at the Jinan Intermediate People’s Court in Shandong, demanding an immediate halt to the manufacturing, sales, and offers to sell the allegedly infringing products. The lawsuit in the United States was filed at District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
Backsheet buoyed PV manufacturers
Hard-pressed Asian solar manufacturers have switched from multi-layer polymer backsheets to a single layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), with a protective coating on both sides of their modules. Backsheet makers confirm these products, known as “CPC,” are now mainstream. There is little evidence to demonstrate that they can withstand 30 years-plus of outdoor use, however.
Water-based recycling of perovskite solar cells
An international team has developed a new technique to recycle perovskite solar cells (PSC) made on glass substrates using a water-based solution. Tests showed that the recycled cells were as efficient and stable as the original devices.
Hybrid solar vanadium battery system withstands Australia’s harsh weather
Energy solutions company Australian Flow Batteries has rolled out its containerised solar vanadium battery system in Western Australia, which can be stowed in less than an hour to protect modules during the region’s annual cyclone season.
US-based company introduces new solar carports
Brooklyn Solar Company announced a new post-truss, cantilever and wood-post solar carports.
