Enel announces potential partner for 3 GW solar module factory in Italy
Enel CEO Francesco Starace says the company is talking to an unspecified international investor about the sale of a 50% stake in its new 3 GW heterojunction solar module factory in Catania, which is scheduled to start operations in September.
Sharp unveils 228 W residential solar panel for limited rooftop spaces
Japan’s Sharp says its new 228 W solar modules have an efficiency rating of 20%.
Solarnative to open microinverter gigafactory in Germany
German startup Solarnative has invested €1 million ($ 1.07 million) in a surface-mount technology production line for its new microinverter plant in Germany. It says it plans to ramp up microinverter production from May.
SVECK to build new factory to make EVA films for PV modules
SVECK, an EVA film supplier, said it wants to set up a new factory in Yancheng, in China’s Jiangsu province.
New lithium iron phosphate battery for residential, off-grid PV
Discovery Battery’s new lithium iron phosphate battery system has a nominal voltage of 51.2 V and a capacity of 100 Ah. Up to six 5.12 kWh battery modules can be stacked in a single enclosure, and up to four enclosures can be connected in parallel for a total capacity of 120 kWh.
Photovoltaic-thermal system based on PCM cooling
Malaysian researchers have developed a system that can absorb heat from PV modules and transmit it to a nanofluid, in order to transform it into thermal energy and use it for different applications. The panels have an overall efficiency of 89%.
Floating PV reduces water evaporation in Brazilian reservoir by 60%
Brazilian and US researchers have evaluated the water evaporation rate of a floating PV system on a Brazilian reservoir. They said that the 130 kW installation reduced evaporation by 60%, and claimed that a 5 MW system could save enough water for 196 people per year.
US startup secures funding for window mini-split air conditioner
Gradient’s first-generation heat pump heating and cooling system is available for preorder, and ships this summer.
Southeast Asia’s largest battery goes online
Sembcorp Industries has connected a 285 MWh battery storage system to the grid on Jurong Island, Singapore. It is reportedly Southeast Asia’s largest energy storage system, featuring 800 large-scale lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
Array Technologies to build tracker factory in Australia
US solar tracker supplier Array Technologies plans to set up a factory in Australia, after winning a contract to supply trackers for a 102 MW solar farm in the Australian state of Victoria.
