Technology and R&D

Canon has announced a new functional material for perovskite thin film passivation that potentially improves durability of perovskite solar cells while enabling a mass-production process. The Japanese company aims to start commercial production of the material in 2025.

Scientists in the UK developed a controller for B2B trading platform that considers thermal and visual comfort. Their modeling shows that participating in local energy trading increases the robustness of the control systems in residential microgrids in face of uncertainty in the occupant comfort level.

Scientists in Spain have developed thermal image mapping on dense and high-resolution point clouds representing status and geometry of PV modules and automatic identification of individual solar panels in 3D space. The proposed methodology was found to provide “exceptionally high” accuracy.

Fraunhofer ISE researchers are applying deep learning and digital twin modelling tools to optimize PV tracker control systems for use in farming and biodiversity projects. The goal is to be able to automatically position the modules throughout the day to meet the needs of the plants growing below, in light of the microclimatic conditions, and the need to optimize yield.

The Chinese manufacturer said its new Hi-MO X6 Artist series has an efficiency of up to 22.3% and a power output ranging from 420 W to 430 W. The smaller version is currently priced at CNY 298 ($41.7)/m2 and the largest model is sold at CNY 268/m2.

The partnership between the two energy tech giants will see Octopus install solar powered home battery Tesla Powerwall and Tesla customers utilize Octopus’ range of smart tariffs.

Academics have used geospatial land-eligibility research and existing legislation to identify the potential for up to 4.7 GW of floating PV, 24.6 GW of solar parking, and 5,437 GW of agrivoltaics in Germany.

Germany-based Singulus Solar, a joint venture of Singulus Technologies, a German PV equipment manufacturer, and Yingkou Jinchen Machinery, a Chinese module manufacturing equipment supplier, announced it will supply cell and module turnkey solutions to manufacturers of tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) and heterjunction (HJT) PV products.

A new survey from Germany shows that consumers may show a high willingness to pay (WTP) for apples produced in agrivoltaic facilities. The research also highlighted that consumers also consider parameters such as organic farming, plastic usage and origin, among others.

A Swiss research team published a review of the technologies used to manufacture of colored building integrated PV, discussing competitive characteristics of more than a dozen products, as well as success factors to drive market development.