UK solar systems to be 50% cheaper by 2035, say UK researchers
University of Surrey researchers say that by 2035, the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for small projects and utility-scale PV systems could decrease to GBP 149 ($187)/MWh and GBP 51/MWh, respectively.
India’s annual EV sales surpassed 1.2 million units in fiscal 2023
The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh led yearly electric vehicle sales with a 15.15% share of the cumulative 1.2 million units sold in fiscal 2022-23. It was followed by Maharashtra with a 12.72% share and Karnataka at 9.14%.
Kaneka presents 29.2%-efficient 2T silicon-perovskite tandem solar cell
Kaneka’s two-terminal tandem perovskite solar cell has achieved the highest efficiency ever recorded for such a device based on an industrial Czochralski (CZ) silicon wafer. It has an open-circuit voltage of 1.929 V, a short-circuit current density of 19.5 mA cm−2, and a fill factor of 77.55%.
Tools to monitor PV hybrid system performance
Owners and operators of PV hybrid systems need to monitor and control system operation and performance, which generally involves the collection of big data sets. Data visualization techniques can simplify the monitoring and allow issues to be quickly recognized, says IEA-PVPS.
Solar for railway signaling sites
Australia’s largest rail infrastructure project, the Melbourne-Brisbane Inland Rail freight line, has made the switch to solar to power its signaling systems. The move is expected to deliver an estimated AUD 25 million ($16.93 million) in cost savings.
Solar, renewables to reduce land use
A new Nature Conservancy report offers a land-use reduction scenario and framework to help energy planners and policymakers execute net-zero strategies.
The Hydrogen Stream: Australia to invest $1.35 billion in hydrogen
The Australian government has presented its 2023-2024 budget, with AUD 2 billion ($1.35 billion) to be invested in hydrogen, while Austria, Germany, and Italy said they have started moving forward on a southern hydrogen corridor from North Africa to Northern Europe.
Chalcopyrite solar cell achieves 11.2% efficiency via silver alloying
Swedish researchers have used silver alloying to improve grain growth and crystal quality in the chalcopyrite absorber, which reportedly partly compensates for its high bandgap energy. The scientists fabricated a champion cell based on a ZTO buffer layer.
Meyer Burger unveils gray solar tiles
Swiss manufacturer Meyer Burger says that in August it hopes to begin distributing its new gray solar tiles, which are already being used in pilot projects.
PV manufacturing capacity hit 600 GW in 2022
The new edition of the International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV), published this week, finds that 295 GW of PV modules was shipped in 2022, and that prices for silicon PV modules fell by 7% over the year. The report finds that price premiums for n-type modules are now marginal, and the technology grew to represent 15% of the market, and is expected to keep growing over the coming decade.
