Direct vs. indirect coupling in PV-driven hydrogen generation
Researchers in Spain have made a comparative analysis of annual PV-powered hydrogen production for direct and indirect configurations and have found that indirect systems not only produce more hydrogen but also that they show higher resilience to module power losses.
Sineng Electric turns on 150 MW/300 MWh of storage in China
Sineng Electric has switched on a 150 MW/300 MWh standalone energy storage station in Guangxi, China, featuring battery energy storage system (BESS) containers, a central power conversion system (PCS), and a booster station.
Novel bifacial flexible PV cell offers 27% efficiency
Scientists have simulated dozens of electron transport layer-free cell structures and have identified the optimal design with a Zr:In2O3 front transparent electrode, a CuSCN hole transport layer, and a NAN rear transparent electrode. They have also optimized its thickness and bandgap.
Getting lightweight, flexible, semi-transparent PV from lab to fab
German research group Helmholtz Association hopes to speed up the adoption of flexible printed solar PV technologies by transferring advances in the lab to industry through its growing Solar TAP initiative.
Researchers use artificial neural networks to optimize PV tilt angles
Scientists have tested several machine-learning algorithms to predict the optimal tilt angle (OTA) of solar projects in 37 Indian cities, leading to improvements of up to 90%.
PV module fault detection tech based on deep learning of electroluminescence
The novel technique is based on the VarifocalNet deep-learning object detection framework, which was reportedly tweaked to achieve quicker and more accurate results. Compared to other such methods, the new approach was found to be the most accurate and third quickest.
Monolithic perovskite-organic tandem solar cell achieves 24.27% efficiency
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have developed a monolithic perovskite-organic tandem solar cell with a wide-bandgap subcell that reportedly provides “remarkable” stability. The tandem device achieved one of the highest efficiencies ever reported for this type of solar cell technology.
Solar PV flooring for residential, commercial use
Turkey-based Ankara Solar Energy launched its own brand of walkable PV flooring for residential and commercial projects. Its 30 W and 120 W square panels with anti-slip glass front covers are sold with a supportive pedestal system, and are now available for the European and U.S. markets.
U.S. solar car race success for two Canadian teams
Solar car teams from Canada outperformed in two categories of the latest Electrek American Solar Challenge. The student team from Polytechnique Montréal won first in the multiple occupant vehicle category, and the students from École de technologie supérieure won second place in the single occupant vehicle category.
Scientists classify weather types based on extreme photovoltaic output events
Scientists used a year’s worth of data from East China to analyze what weather conditions affect abnormal, high, and low PV output days. They also constructed a simple extreme output prediction model and examined the atmospheric circulation anomalies corresponding to extreme output events.
