Novel photovoltaic water pump from Spain
A Spanish startup has developed a new pumping system that can operate in DC and AC modes. It can work for direct irrigation and with a water tank.
German consortium plans to build world’s largest heat pump
Basf and Man Energy announced a plan to build a 120 MW renewables-powered heat pump for steam production at an industrial site operated by Basf in the Rhineland-Palatinate region, Germany. The feasibility study for the project should be completed by the end of this year.
Agrivoltaics adding value to crops with low agricultural yield
A group of 35 French agricultural entrepreneurs decided to change their agricultural practices to adapt to the low quality of their groundwater and chose agrivoltaics as a way to compensate for crop yield losses.
Massive pumped-hydro storage facility comes online in Switzerland
The Nant de Drance facility began commercial operations on July 1 and is currently one of Europe’s largest pumped-hydro storage stations.
EPC tender for solar-powered hydrogen project in Portugal
Hyperion Renewables launched an EPC tender for its Green H2 Setúbal Project back in March. Seven companies are now competing to build a plant with a green hydrogen production capacity of 135 kg (1,500 Nm3) per hour. The plant will be fed by 12 MW of solar PV.
New floating PV system for near-shore applications
Norwegian startup Sunlit Sea has designed a floating array consisting of a single unit float built-in cold-pressed aluminum with a close-to-standard solar panel bonded on the top surface. A 22.7%-efficienct mono PERC photovoltaic panel is bonded to the top of the float, giving a total unit thickness of 85 mm.
Solar cells integrating power electronics
Researchers in the Netherlands investigated the potential for integrating power electronics in solar cells in the form of diodes, transistors, capacitors, and inductors. They believe that this kind of PV cell may initially find applications in PV-powered Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices and later, as the economy of scale kicks in, in large-scale applications.
Agrivoltaics for hop growth
France’s Q Energy has developed a new way to combine solar generation and the cultivation of hops, which can grow up to 8 meters in height. The agrivoltaic system consists of two mounting units with 52 bifacial PV modules.
The Hydrogen Stream: Romania calls for green hydrogen projects
Romania has unveiled a state aid scheme to support investments in the production of hydrogen powered by solar, hydro and wind, while Air Products and Gunvor have agreed to build a hydrogen import terminal in Rotterdam.
Semi-transparent perovskite solar cell for window applications
Buildings, particularly those with glass facades, are getting closer to self-powering, according to Australian scientists who recently developed a 15.5%-efficient, semi-transparent solar cell that allows more than 20% of visible light to pass through.
