Technology and R&D

Anda-Olsen launched new LiFePo4 batteries that come with a built-in heating elements that reportedly makes them safe to use even in freezing temperatures. The manufacturer offers the new product in two versions with a nominal capacity of 100 Ah and 200 Ah, respectively.

Australia’s ClearVue Technologies says it has confirmed the scalability and “commercial viability” of its second-generation integrated glazing units, following a mass production run using a standard manufacturing line at a factory in China.

Built by Danish researchers, the device also achieved a power conversion efficiency of 5.0%. They designed the cell with a soda-lime glass substrate, a tin oxide (FTO) layer, an electron transport layer made of titanium oxide (TiO2), a selenium absorber, a molybdenum oxide (MoOx) layer, and a gold (Au) metal contact.

South Korean scientists built an air source heat pump integrated with a photovoltaic thermal unit that can reportedly achieve an average heating and cooling coefficient of performance (COP) of 3.54 and 3.31, respectively. The system is also claimed to be 44% cheaper than ground source heat pumps combined with PVT energy.

China’s Redway Power has developed a new lithium iron phosphate battery system with a nominal voltage of 12.8 V and a nominal capacity of 200 Ah.

Yaskawa Solectria Solar has developed new utility-scale string inverters with capacities ranging from 175 kW to 250 kW. They are optimized for use with First Solar modules and qualify for the US domestic content bonus tax credit.

OPES Solar Mobility, a joint venture between solar module specialist OPES Solutions and a German family office, is creating manufacturing capacity with its own technology in Germany to provide specific support to the transportation industry.

Scientists in Canada have combined PV power generation with water purification based on capacitive deionization (CDI), which is claimed to have low operational cost, enhanced energy efficiency, and less water rejection than conventional purification techniques. The solar-powered system prototype is able to produce more water than a conventional CDI system on a sunny day.

The new product can reportedly provide a leaving water temperature of up to 65 C. It is available in three versions with outputs of 8 kW, 10 kW, and 12 kW, respectively.

The new batteries reportedly provide steady operation for up to 16,000 charge cycles. It has a storage capacity of 5.4 kWh and a depth of discharge of 90%.