Technology

Panasonic has unveiled a new version of its Eco Cute CO2 heat pump that produces domestic hot water mostly during daytime based on solar radiation data. It integrates a dedicated app to obtain day-ahead solar forecasts and schedule water heating hours for the next day.

The researchers of the German institute explained that UV-induced degradation may cause larger than expected efficiency and voltage losses in all dominant cell technologies, including TOPCon devices. The scientists expect that silicon nitride layers could be used to enhance TOPCon UV stability compared to PECVD layers typically utilized in PERC and heterojunction cells.

An India-based research team has boosted the power conversion efficiency and stability of indoor dye-sensitized solar cells based on co-sensitized organic dyes. The best indoor PV devices achieved 40% efficiency under 4000 lux fluorescent lighting and 10.40% under standard AM 1.5G one sun illumination.

French agrivoltaics company Sun’Agri says that two of its facilities increased grape yields by 20% to 60% in 2024, compared to areas without solar panels. The PV modules helped regulate temperature fluctuations, reducing summer heat peaks and winter temperature declines.

German engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions’ CO2-based seawater heat pump, located in the Danish port city of Esbjerg, has started operation. The facility, with a total heating capacity of 70 MW, will provide climate-neutral heat to Esbjerg and neighbouring town Varde.

While some may call it a fairytale chemistry, solid-state lithium-air battery (SS-LAB) technology is now a step closer to commercial reality with the foundation of Air Energy. The startup has set out to scale the application of this promising technology over the next five years.

Fraunhofer ISE researchers have investigated whether PV panels installed above orchards can affect the reception of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals and, in turn, affect the precision of advanced autonomous tools. They found a disruption and suggested some alternatives.

A Chinese research team has developed a floating PV system that purportedly offers high stability and superior seakeeping performance. It features a series of floating pontoons for buoyancy, coupled with a truss-frame support structure for solar panels.

Sunlit has launched the EV3600 bidirectional inverter for PV carports and balcony solar applications, allowing users with dynamic electricity tariffs to charge storage units when prices are low. The German company says the inverter supports extensions for vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid functionality.

Sodium-ion batteries are undergoing a critical period of commercialization with Chinese cleantech juggernauts actively working on their products.