Technology and R&D

Researchers in Singapore have built an inverted perovskite PV device with a p-type antimony-doped tin oxides (ATOx) interlayer that reportedly reduces the efficiency disparity between small and large-area perovskite cells. According to their findings, ATOx may easily replace commonly used nickel oxides (NiOx) as a hole transport material.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) has opened a PV module production lab for new product ideas in a former Solar Fabrik factory in Germany. It is equipped with systems for cell interconnection, laminators, and a range of materials and solar cell technologies.

Adani Solar has unveiled an n-type TOPCon bifacial solar module featuring Indian-made cells this week at Intersolar India 2024. The module is available in power range from 550 W to 575 W, with an efficiency of 21.4% to 22.4%

The heat pump uses R-410a as a refrigerant and has a size ranging from 2 tons to 5 tons or 7.0 kW to 17.6 kW. It also has a cooling capacity spanning from 6.7 kW to 15.5 kW.

Developed by scientists in Germany, the triple-junction cell is based on a perovskite top cell with an energy bandgap of 1.84 eV, a perovskite middle cell with bandgap of 1.52 eV, and a silicon bottom cell with a bandgap of 1.1 eV. The device achieved an open-circuit voltage of 2.84 V, a short-circuit current of 11.6 mA cm–2, and a fill factor of 74%.

Trina Storage has developed a 4.07 MWh energy storage system featuring its in-house 306 Ah lithium iron phosphate battery cells, configured with 10 racks of four battery packs.

An energy makeover of a heritage-listed church built in 1965 included new solar PV roof, new insulation, new windows, and heat pumps, enabling it to produce 149% of its energy requirements. The achievement garnered the project team the Norman Foster Solar Award 2023.

Ahead of the upcoming introduction of EU Ecodesign and Energy Label policy measures for solar PV products, SolarPower Europe brings some reflections on the topic, adding insights to the ongoing industry discussions.

The Japanese electronics manufacturer said its new heat pumps are suitable for commercial, industrial, and multi-dwelling residential applications. The new products feature a rated power ranging from 50 kW to 80 kW and a coefficient of performance spanning from 3.2 to 3.4.

A Spanish-Italian research team has investigated different system configurations for bifacial agrivoltaic solar arrays deployed in olive groves and has found that the solar modules’ tilt angle has a significant impact on power yield while their height plays a crucial role on increasing agricultural yield.