Technology

The float can host conventional solar modules with a 120-cell design, a power output of over 400 W, and a weight not exceeding 30kg. It is being developed by South Africa-based Phelan Energy Group, in Dubai.

Chemical engineer Rose Amal arrived in Australia from Indonesia 38 years ago to study at UNSW. Now her leadership and research are contributing to a new sustainable economy for Australia and clean fuels for energy-hungry industries.

In the latest edition of its annual publication, PV Evolution Labs shares results from solar panel stress tests focused on specified and verified bills of materials.

Dansk Solenergi ApS has developed a 13.6 kg tile that can be used for both new buildings and building renovation. The device is currently being produced in Denmark, where the company operates a 40 MW line.

A Swiss-Canadian consortium is developing a novel process to produce green hydrogen. Furthermore, Italy’s Snam is cooperating with IRENA and a French consortium wants to deploy high-end hydrogen storage systems for the railway sector.

Closed-loop pumped-hydro storage offers more chances to minimize environmental effects on water sources and overcomes the problem of finding suitable sites. According to an Australian research team, closed-loop systems could prevail on open-loop systems in the future and this trend is confirmed by another group of scientists from the United States.

Scientists in Germany developed a method to determine the structure and degradation of module backsheets and encapsulants in the field, by analyzing the material’s near infrared light transmission. Applying the theory to a multi-MW PV plant, the group was able to identify four different backsheet types. With further development, the method could be a valuable tool to monitor module degradation in the field and spot faults early on.

The Italian power electronics specialist has launched a single-phase inverter, a three-phase device, and a residential battery. The three products will be available for sale starting from January.

Mondragon Assembly’s continuous string process technique is purportedly 10% more productive than a standard stringing machine.

JA Solar published data comparing its own modules, based on the 182mm wafer format, with others utilizing the larger 210mm size over a six month period in field testing. The data show that the smaller of the two formats reached an average daily energy yield almost 2% higher. According to JA Solar’s analysis, the higher currents produced by the 210mm modules led to higher resistance, and more energy lost as heat.