UK research calls for robust approach to rooftop solar fire safety
Research commissioned by the UK government finds rooftop solar panels can significantly influence fire behavior, particularly when the height gap between modules and the roof surface falls below critical limits.
Flexible front cover tested for glass-free CIGS devices
Researchers in Japan have developed an effective encapsulation with a PET front cover for copper indium gallium diselenide mini-modules. The lab devices withstood damp heat tests, retaining approximately 97 % of initial efficiency after 3,600 h.
Growing agri-PV tomatoes while producing hydrogen for smart windows
Scientists have simulated a residential building based on a real double-story house in the United Kingdom, combining rooftop agrivoltaics with onsite hydrogen production. Electricity generated by the solar system is used to produce hydrogen, which is then supplied to a hydrogen vehicle and insulated gasochromic smart windows.
China commissions world’s largest 1 GW open-sea offshore solar project
China has brought a 1 GW offshore solar power plant online off the coast of Dongying, Shandong province, combining PV with energy storage and aquaculture in what is now the world’s largest open-sea solar project in commercial operation.
How to improve indirect-expansion PVT-assisted heat pump performance
Scientists in Thailand have simulated an indirect-expansion photovoltaic-thermal-assisted heat pump and measured its performance under various cold water temperatures and tank sizes.
Leecell develops organic PV for indoor, outdoor use
The South Korean startup is developing organic solar cell technology made using a proprietary roll-to-roll process. It targets both indoor and outdoor integrated PV applications.
Trina Solar posts new milestones for tandem efficiency, module power
Trina Solar says new certified results in perovskite-crystalline silicon tandem cells and modules demonstrate progress toward industrial-scale next-generation PV.
PV redox flow battery with 4.2% solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency
Scientists in China have constructed and tested a device that uses redox couples paired with a single triple-junction amorphous-silicon photoelectrode. When tested under a xenon lamp simulating one sun, the device achieved an average solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 4.2%.
Korean researchers build tin monosulfide solar cell with 4.81% efficiency
The efficieny result represents one of the best performances ever achieved for this kind of thin-film solar cell to date. The device was fabricated with a rear contact interface that reportedly enhances charge transport.
Carmaker uses repurposed EV batteries to help power production plant
Repurposed electric vehicle batteries have been used for the energy storage component of a solar and battery project that is now helping power operations at carmaker Nissan Australia’s aluminium casting plant in Victoria.
