Technology

Researchers in the Netherlands have proposed the use of residential PV capacity to supply electricity to urban loads such as tram substations and dwellings, potentially reducing PV curtailment and demand for additional storage.

A consortium of European thin-film PV manufacturers and research institutes are working to advance copper, indium, gallium, and selenium (CIGS) solar development in a €5.9 million ($6.4 million) project. It aims to achieve 25% cell power conversion efficiency by improving manufacturing processes and scaling up from lab-sized bifacial devices to small outdoor-tested modules for a range of applications.

Antora says its thermal batteries offer a cost-effective way to store energy and produce high-temperature industrial heat and electricity on demand

Inno Neat has developed a solar-powered water filter that removes contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and heavy metals for rural communities.

China’s Hanersun has unveiled its new HItouch 5A module series, which is based on ABC cell tech and 182 mm wafers. The output ranges from 430 W to 600 W and the efficiency ratings are between 22.0% and 23.2%.

China’s Guangzhou Sanjing Electric (SAJ) has developed two new single-phase and three-phase all-in-one battery inverters with efficiencies of 97.8% and 98.0%, respectively. They use artificial intelligence to support energy management.

California plans to shift 3 GW of load from dirtier, more expensive times of day to cleaner, less expensive times by setting flexible demand standards for many types of electric appliances. Global interest in California’s work is high, according to a state agency commissioner.

A scientist in Switzerland is trying to develop a hybrid flow battery and lithium-ion battery by incorporating solid storage materials into the flow battery tank. He is currently identifying stable materials for the storage tanks over a 20-year operating period.

Researchers have looked into the impact of potential regulated charge exemptions on two types of energy communities in 39 European countries. They have found that communities with collectively owned PV systems achieve greater savings.

A Florida new home subdivision has reached a $4.2 million agreement with Tampa-based Block Energy to install 77 solar arrays in a community microgrid.