Firebrick thermal energy storage could reach 170 GW in the U.S. by 2050
Firebrick heat storage technology, not batteries, will be used to store energy for industrial process heat in a 100% renewable energy system, says a study out of Stanford University.
The Hydrogen Stream: Equatic making anodes to produce H2 from seawater
Equatic says it has started annual production of 4,000 anodes for hydrogen generation from seawater in Singapore and Canada, while Nuvera Fuel Cells says it will demonstrate its first operational hydrogen-powered AC generator set and DC fast charger.
German startup offers design tool for heat pump installers
German software company Autarc launched a platform for residential heat pump projects, covering design, planning and customer project management functionality. It uses LiDAR imaging to enable heat load and hydraulic balancing calculations, as well as visualizations.
Sun-X secures patent for PV sensor that measures soiling, yield loss
Germany-based Sun-X says it has patented a soiling sensor for PV modules that accurately measures dirt levels, determines yield loss, and assesses optimal cleaning times.
Italian energy supplier to reuse discarded PV modules for social projects
Italian energy producer ERG has launched an initiative to reuse discarded solar modules from revamped plants for social solar projects. The program aims to support communities, hospitals, families, and schools in Africa and Italy, using panels that are still in good condition and fully functional.
IEA calls for stronger solar, wind integration measures
The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest report warns that failing to support integration at the point of deployment could jeopardize up to 15% of solar and wind projects by 2030. This shortfall would reduce their combined share of the global electricity mix by 5%.
Vertical PV comes to India
Yashika Energy Systems has partnered with Germany’s Next2Sun and Wattkraft India to launch pilot projects that integrate vertical bifacial solar technology with agriculture, ranging from 100 kWp to 500 kWp.
EU-funded project seeks set up pilot production of large-area perovskite PV modules
The EU-funded Laperitivo project aims for 22% efficiency in 900 cm² opaque perovskite modules and 20% efficiency in semi-transparent ones. The project partners include imec, Fraunhofer ISE, TotalEnergies, and EDF.
Chinese solar cell prices stable in a quiet market
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
Circular economy and solar photovoltaics: is there a case for second-life PV modules?
What happens to a solar PV module after its expected 25-year operational life? With around 2 TW of rooftop and utility-scale PV already deployed worldwide, and a large number of them being retired before operating for 15 years, the amount of PV modules being discarded is growing every year. As PV modules are becoming cheaper by the day, and with the constant improvement in PV module efficiencies, many utility-scale PV power plants are starting to be repowered even before they reach their expected 25 years of operation. Many of these modules are still performing well. Can they be deployed for a second life to provide solar electricity for a few more years?
