Technology and R&D

The Chinese company says that the new product is available in 40 kW, 50 kW, and 60 kW versions. The product has a maximum efficiency of 99%.

Half way through its three-year research program, the Pearl consortium of European research institutes has surpassed 21% efficiency on its flexible perovskite solar cells featuring bendable substrates and has demonstrated scalable roll-to-roll processes.

New research from Europe shows that the global PV industry may require up to 14,000 tonnes of silver per year in 2030, with global supply being only 34,000 tonnes. The scientists said more efforts should be made to reduce silver content in TOPCon and heterojunction solar cells.

Chinese solar lighting company intelamp set a new world record for the largest display of solar-power LEDs with an array of 36,862 of its solar lights in the Mingsha Mountain dunes of western China.

Scientists in Malaysia have conducted a techno-economic-environmental study of a green fueling system for a ferry that runs between islands in their home country. Using 40,000 solar panels, they were able to power two round trips round-trips per day. Annual CO₂ reduction was measured at 23.75 million kg.

Jetson said its new heat pump system has a coefficient of performance of up to 4.1 and an energy efficiency rating of up to 11.7. The new product integrates air quality sensors, an energy monitor, and a “smart” thermostat.

Researchers have collected data from solar sensor-equipped vehicles, racking up over a million km mainly in the Benelux and German region, to be able to make more accurate efficiency and yield predictions. The research project is part of an ongoing three-year European assessment of VIPV.

With the early expiration of key US solar tax credits in 2026 and 2027, solar developers from the United States and Europe are looking to diversify, and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region represents attractive prospects for many. But unpredictable site conditions can defy even the most experienced developers’ assumptions, causing delays and cost hikes. Upfront due diligence is vital, argue Clean Energy Associates engineers Nicholas Hudson and Evan Woolard.

The Japanese company said the first pilot projects are being carried out in the Tokyo metropolitan area with the support of Japanese oil giant Eneos. 

The research team’s semi-transparent solar concentrator can be directly coated onto standard window glass. It uses liquid crystal films to reflect and guide circularly-polarized sunlight to solar cells installed toward the edge of a window. A 1-inch diameter prototype was found capable of directly powering a 10 mW fan under sunlight.