PV-powered underground heat exchanger for buildings
Researchers in India have designed a PV-powered earth-to-air heat exchanger to provide buildings with space heating and cooling. They say the proposed system could result in an annual energy gain of 8116.7 kWh.
Solar panels on downed Chinese balloon could support advanced radar
The US authorities took down a Chinese balloon off the coast of South Carolina earlier this year that featured contained 10 kW of solar capacity – similar to a typical rooftop PV installation.
Growatt introduces LFP solar generator for portable, off-grid use
Growatt is taking pre-sale orders for the Infinity 1300, a lithium iron phosphate battery with 3,000-plus cycle life.
New vertical PV system for parking areas
German module maker Luxor Solar and Japan’s AirWater are selling vertical PV systems for parking areas that can reportedly provide the same energy yield as conventional PV carports, but with less space. The system features 460 W heterojunction solar panels, power optimizers, and vertical racks.
Bslbatt unveils 89-mm-thick battery for residential solar
China’s Bslbatt has added a rack-mounted battery to its ultra-sim range. It has a storage capacity of 5.12 kWh and a nominal voltage of 51.2 V. It measures 670 mm x 475 mm and is 89 mm thick.
Fraunhofer ISE showcases solar thermal facades for heat pumps
Fraunhofer ISE has developed solar thermal facade panels that function as heat pump sources in buildings. The solution is made of ultra-high-performance concrete for aesthetic architectural facades.
New nickel-manganese-cobalt battery for maritime applications
EST-Floattech has developed a nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) energy storage system for maritime applications. The are two versions of the battery modules, with storage capacities of 5.8 kWh or 10 kWh. The company also plans to offer a variant with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry.
US startup secures $3 million to develop organic PV-coated windows
Next Energy Technologies has secured a grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to develop its organic photovoltaic coating for commercial windows.
Microwave annealing of silicon solar cells
Australian researchers have developed a new microwave technology that could advance solar-cell production by improving manufacturing processes and making them easier to recycle.
Average solar LCOE increases for first time this year
A new report by Lazard compares the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for various generation technologies on a $/MWh basis. It shows that utility-scale solar and onshore wind LCOE increased for the first time in 2023, at $24/MWh to $96/MWh for solar and $24/MWh to $75 MWh for wind. Nevertheless, the two renewable sources are still the economic frontrunners when compared to nuclear, gas, and coal.
