GreenAkku unveils L-base for PV systems on flat rooftops, gardens
GreenAkku says that its 24 kg exposed concrete base for solar arrays enables the installation of PV systems on flat rooftops and in gardens, without the need for additional substructures or drilling.
Combining PV with pumped hydro storage in open-cast coal mines
Indian scientists have suggested building pumped-hydro storage systems connected to solar plants using mines as the lower reservoir and nearby rivers as the upper reservoir. They claim that the proposed combination may reach a levelized cost of energy of $0.2693/kWh.
Two-terminal perovskite silicon tandem solar cell with 25.6% efficiency
The Fraunhofer ISE has developed an electro-optically optimized transparent conductive oxide layer that can reportedly improve the efficiency of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. A device built with the film achieved remarkable efficiency and fill factor.
Enphase releases solar products optimized for NEM 3.0
The solar microinverter and battery energy storage provider released updates to its product suite to maximize returns under the new net metering rates regime in California.
First Solar explores potential of quantum-dot solar modules
In a joint development effort with UbiQD, thin-film solar manufacturer, First Solar, is exploring the potential use of quantum dots in enhancing solar photovoltaics.
U.S. startup to produce perovskite glass for tandem modules
Caelux secured series A funding to deploy perovskite glass that can be integrated with existing solar manufacturing processes to boost module efficiency.
New study claims PV industry is neglecting overirradiance issues
Overirradiance conditions may affect the operating performance of photovoltaic plants, the stability of the electrical grid, and the efficiency of inverters. A research team has warned these effects are currently not being given proper consideration by the solar industry.
Research shows bats stay away from ground mounted solar plants
New research from the United Kingdom claims that ground mounted PV facilities have a negative effect on bat activity. According to the scientists, the panels may be causing some bats to alter their flight paths, potentially resulting in further fragmentation of the ecological landscape.
Novel AI-based tech to identify rooftop solar systems from aerial images
The model utilizes deep learning and image processing techniques and is said to offer “superior performance.” In the future, it might be able to differ between panels of PV and solar thermal systems.
PV of the past – a look back
As part of a new series of articles this summer, pv magazine revisits news from the PV sector of 10 years ago. The insights evoke memories while also providing a glimpse of what the solar landscape could look like in 2030.
