Viessmann launches air-water heat pump for larger residential, commercial buildings
The Vitocal 250-A Pro boasts a flow temperature of up to 70 C, a heating output of up to 39.5 kW and a cooling output of up to 21.7 kW and according to the German manufacturer, it is one of the quietest of its kind on the market. Its coefficient of performance is 5.6.
Chinese researchers develop 28-µm silicon solar cell with 20% efficiency, 0% breakage rate
A research team in China has developed a novel thin-silicon wafer reinforced ring (TSRR) to protect ultra-thin wafers and solar cells during production. This technique consists of applying the ring at the edge of thin wafers and is compatible with all silicon solar module technology.
Swedish startup unveils tape-based stringer for back contact solar modules
Sticky Solar Power is taking orders for industrial-scale versions of its novel room-temperature cell interconnection system, which is reportedly well-suited for back-contact (xBC), perovskite, and heterojunction cell technologies.
U.S. startup claims doubled energy per acre with terrain-following solar array
California startup Planted Solar uses construction robots and high-density arrays to deliver what the company says are higher energy outputs and lower balance of system costs.
The Hydrogen Stream: PV-wind hybrids cut LCOH by 70%
Portuguese and Italian researchers have shown that the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) is lower onshore and that PV-wind configurations reduce the LCOH up to 70%, while Lhyfe says it has started collaborating on a hydrogen storage project.
Canon unveils passivation material to improve perovskite solar cell durability
Canon has announced a new functional material for perovskite thin film passivation that potentially improves durability of perovskite solar cells while enabling a mass-production process. The Japanese company aims to start commercial production of the material in 2025.
Alight secures grid connection for 100 MW solar park in Finland
Swedish solar developer Alight has obtained a grid connection for its 100 MW solar project in Eurajoki, western Finland. Construction is expected to start later this year.
Peer-to-peer energy trading framework for residential buildings
Scientists in the UK developed a controller for B2B trading platform that considers thermal and visual comfort. Their modeling shows that participating in local energy trading increases the robustness of the control systems in residential microgrids in face of uncertainty in the occupant comfort level.
Monitoring PV plants with 3D remote sensing data
Scientists in Spain have developed thermal image mapping on dense and high-resolution point clouds representing status and geometry of PV modules and automatic identification of individual solar panels in 3D space. The proposed methodology was found to provide “exceptionally high” accuracy.
Digital twin technologies for solar tracking in agrivoltaics
Fraunhofer ISE researchers are applying deep learning and digital twin modelling tools to optimize PV tracker control systems for use in farming and biodiversity projects. The goal is to be able to automatically position the modules throughout the day to meet the needs of the plants growing below, in light of the microclimatic conditions, and the need to optimize yield.
