Producing hydrogen fuel from solar power and agricultural waste
Using 600% less voltage to produce hydrogen, a research team at the University of Illinois Chicago has developed a new method for splitting water.
Assessing feasibility of solar arrays at airports
A team of researchers developed a methodological framework for assessing solar potential at airports and applied it to seven Indian airports. They found the greatest potential at an airport in Raipur, central India, where they say an at least 21 MW array could be installed without compromising customer experience or safety.
PVRadar offers solar project risk assessments factoring in historical climate data
PVRadar Labs has expanded its software platform to include PV project risk assessment functionality, reportedly enabling more realistic performance estimates based on historical climate data.
Qcells to deploy Lumet’s fine-line metallization tech
Qcells says it will use Lumet’s fine-line metallization technology for its solar cells, for higher efficiency and lower production costs.
Longi introduces 630 W HPBC photovoltaic modules with 23.3% efficiency
The Chinese manufacturer said its new Hi-MO X6 Scientist series has a temperature coefficient of -0.28%/C and a power output ranging from 620 W to 630 W. They rely on the company’s proprietary hybrid passivated back contact (HPBC) cell technology.
Japanese researchers unveil solar chemical heat pump system for buildings
The novel heat pump concept combines solar energy with chemical storage and reportedly consume 75% less electricity than conventional heat pumps. The system relies on a battery and a heat storage tank that can be used either separately or simultaneously, depending on the outdoor conditions.
PV-to-methanol plants may maximize returns in reserve markets
New research from Denmark shows PV-to-methanol facilities may achieve 30% lower levelized cost of methanol through engagement in reserve markets. The researchers examined the ability of a PV-to-methanol plant to contribute to the grid in frequency containment reserves (FCR), automatic frequency restoration reserves (aFRR), and manual frequency restoration reserves (mFRR).
PVFarm launches online tool for early stage PV project planning
U.S.-based PVFarm has released a web-based application for large-scale solar PV project planning at the early stage. It includes real-time energy models and building information model (BIM) features, reportedly supporting PV plant electrical, mechanical, civil, energy, and procurement aspects.
UIS installs recoating solution at 2 GW solar wafer factory in India
UIS Technologies has commissioned polyurethane (PU) recoating and regrooving solutions for wire guide rollers (WGRs) at Adani’s 2 GW solar ingot-wafer plant in Gujarat, India.
TU Delft scientists develop optical filter to improve IBC solar module performance
Researchers at the Delft University of Technology have designed an optical filter for the thermal management of IBC photovoltaic modules. The proposed technology can reportedly reduce the cell operating temperature by up to 2.5 C and extend the lifetime of a PV module by up to 2 years.
