European solar startup funding hits $6 billion in first 5 months of 2023
Total investment in European solar startups surged by nearly 400% year on year in the January-May period. Companies secured $6 billion of new funds, from just $1.2 billion raised during the same period in 2022, according to data from Avent Abacus.
Scientists designed 10.83%-efficient solar cell based on new unleaded perovskite material
A research group in India has simulated a solar cell based on a lead-free perovskite material known KSnI3 and has found the device may achieve remarkable efficiency and stability. The cell was tested with different types of electron transport layers and hole transports layers.
Italian supplier unveils new PV garden system
Italy’s Giulio Barbieri has developed a solar pergola for gardens that can be combined with battery storage, offering 3 kW to 5 kW of power and a storage capacity of 5 kWh.
Germany launches 33 kW prototype highway PV system
Germany has deployed a 33 kW prototype highway PV system in collaboration with Austria and Switzerland. The system aims to harness solar energy from highway infrastructure.
Indian startup offers nanocoating to improve solar module output
India’s TrinanoTechnologies has developed a nanocoating for solar modules that reportedly increases power generation by up to 4% due to its light-trapping, anti-reflection and self-cleaning properties.
Polish manufacturer launches 6-17 kW monobloc heat pump
Kensol said its new air-to-water heat pump uses a Panasonic Inverter DC twin rotary compressor and is able to achieve a maximum water temperature of 60 C.
Insolight completes agrivoltaic plant at raspberry farm
Swiss startup Insolight said that it has finished a new agrivoltaic pilot project in Lucerne, Switzerland. It said it will monitor the facility for three years to assess PV performance and its impact on agriculture.
Storing balcony solar power with lithium batteries for e-bikes
Scientists in Germany have assessed the performance of balcony solar modules connected to an e-bike battery and found this combination provides a stable and continuous operation over three days. They tested two system architectures based on passive and active hybridization and said both system designs offer satisfying results.
Functional requirements for grid-forming inverters
As the grid evolves toward a future dominated by inverters, manufacturers are developing and refining necessary stability functions.
Test shows higher yield, lower degradation for n-type solar modules
Research carried out by China‘s National Photovoltaic Quality Inspection Center shows that new n-type TOPCon modules are living up to their promise, outperforming the previous generation of p-type PERC products. Data gathered over six months from a fixed-tilt PV system showed that the n-type products produced 3.69% more energy, and also suffered much lower performance losses.
