Perovskite-CIS tandem solar cell with 24.9% efficiency
A Dutch-German research team has developed a new PV cell with a certified efficiency of 23.5%, an open-circuit voltage of 1.59 V, a short-circuit current of 19.4 mA cm–2, and a fill factor of 75.5%. It reached maximum efficiency of up to 24.9%, due to the high quality of the subcells.
Mobile solar-plus-storage unit for offgrid applications
Enerwhere has designed a solar-plus-storage mobile unit for offgrid locations such as oil and gas fields and construction sites. It can be adapted to different needs and is scalable up to megawatt-scale projects.
Romania introduces new rules for solar on agricultural land
Romania is set to put new solar regulations into force through the end of 2026. The rules will allow PV, wind, biomass, bioliquid, biogas, storage projects, and transformer stations to be built directly on land in several previously prohibited fertility classes.
Thermo-acoustic heat pump for residential applications
Dutch researchers have developed a heat pump that can be used in combination with rooftop solar generation, due to its modulating capabilities and temperature flexibility. It measures 55 cm x 55 cm x 55 cm and has an output of 6 kW.
Glass pyramid concentrator for solar cell applications
Stanford University scientists have built an optical concentrator that purportedly harvests more than 90% of the light that hits its surface.
Recycling options for PV panels, batteries could drive circular economy, says NREL
Renewable hardware that lasts longer and uses fewer materials could bolster recycling efforts and help to build an effective circular economy for solar and battery technologies, says the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Indian researchers develop tech to stop dendrites in solid-state lithium batteries
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, have found that nanoscopic refractory metal layers like tungsten could improve dendrite growth tolerance in electrolytes of solid-state Li-ion batteries. The team collaborated with researchers from Carnegie Mellon University.
New pricing mechanism for pumped-hydro storage in India
A new report recommends a differential pricing mechanism for pumped-hydro energy storage (PHES) projects in pumping (off-peak operation) and generating mode (peak operation).
pv magazine Roundtables Europe 2022: Which battery to choose?
Amid growing concerns about the global supply of raw materials, which battery chemistries have the best chance, if any, of supplanting lithium-ion devices?
Lithium-ion fire fears spark recall of 433,000 solar LED umbrellas in US, Canada
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada have issued a joint recall of patio umbrellas due to fires caused by the overheating of lithium-ion batteries.
