Technology and R&D

UK-based Caldera has developed a new heat storage technology that can reportedly convert on-site generated solar power into on-demand heat, thus replacing conventional gas boilers. The system uses a composite of recycled aluminum and volcanic rocks to store heat at up to 500 C and produce steam.

Créawatt unveiled this week a new version of its ultra-light Luxsiol photovoltaic system for zinc roofs. It weighs only 3.25 kg/m2 enabling all types of flat roofs made of bitumen, PVC, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, or T333/T250 steel sheet.

LG Chem has announced that its Platform Technology R&D team has developed a temperature-responsive Safety Reinforced Layer (SRL), a material which is described as capable of surpressing thermal runaway. The material was analyzed in collaboration with researchers from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) in South Korea, while the safety verification was conducted in partnership with LG Energy Solution.

While different institutions are making the case for hydrogen production offshore or in proximity to the coast, the European Commission is preparing to move forward with its second hydrogen auction.

A research group at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee has fabricated 4-terminal silicon-perovskite tandem solar cells with power conversion efficiency of 28%. The team is now scaling up this technology to match 18.2 cm x 18.2 cm, commercial M10 solar cells dimension.

Western Australian battery technology company Altech Batteries has announced its first Cerenergy ABS60 salt-based battery energy storage system prototype is online and operating successfully across a range of temperatures, confirming its thermal stability and commercial viability.

EnPV GmbH has developed a TOPCon solar cell concept featuring a novel type of back contact technology. The cell can reportedly be produced at signifcantly lower costs compared to conventional TOPCon cells and its manufacturinng process is claimed to be easy to introduce in existing TOPCon production equipment.

The German PV system provider said its new solar carport is an ideal solution for shopping centres, supermarkets or do-it-yourself stores. It was conceived to operate with either standard or semitransparent bifacial double-glass PV panels.

New research from South Korea has shown that even a 10 μg/m3 increase in atmospheric particulate matter can considerably reduce solar power generation and impact revenue of PV system owners.

Researchers at the Polytechnic University of Madrid have validated a model to simulate solar resources for vehicle integrated PV in urban settings, taking into account reflections and shadows of buildings and objects.