Solar for hydroponics
An international research team has examined combining solar power generation with energy-intensive hydroponic horticulture and has found that this may be a viable solution depending on project size and available incentive policies. Their approach considered various factors impacting PV system efficiency, including environmental factors, the type of solar array, and the electricity demand from the hydroponic farm.
Solar module disassembly equipment from Japan
Developed by Japanese PV equipment provider NPC Incorporated, the solar module disassembly line is claimed to enable the reuse of frames, junction boxes, intact broken glass, solar cells and EVA sheets.
New robot for solar plant construction from AES Corporation
The AI-enabled robot is claimed to ensure faster and more efficient deployment of solar modules in utility scale projects.
SolarEdge launches new power optimizers for residential PV
The optimizers are available in two versions that can be used with modules of up to 440 W and 500W. The devices have an efficiency of 99.5% and come with a 25-year guarantee.
US aerospace manufacturer Rocket Lab takes over space solar cell maker Solaero
Rocket Lab has acquired space solar cell maker Solaero for $80 million. The latter operates an 11,000m2 manufacturing facility in New Mexico and produces multi-junction cells with efficiencies ranging from 29.4% to 32%.
Solar redox flow cell for residential energy storage
The device was designed by scientists in Portugal to optimize light absorption by the semiconductor and ensure an effective diffusion of redox species while offering minimal electronic and ionic transport resistance. The cell has a 25cm2 photoactive area and relies on ferrocyanide/anthraquinone redox flow chemistry and a nanostructured hematite photoelectrode.
Low-bandgap GaInNAsSb solar cell for multi-junction architectures
Developed by researchers in Finland, the solar cell is intended to be used as part of lattice-matched multi-junction solar cells. It achieved a short-circuit current density of 15.2 mA/cm2 and external quantum efficiency of 0.79.
DroneBase acquires solar analytics specialist AirProbe
DroneBase has picked up AirProbe’s artificial intelligence solution for aerial solar inspections and proprietary data analytics. The acquisition expands its reach into markets such as India and Europe.
Large-area bifacial TOPCon solar cell with 23.01% efficiency
The n-type cell was built with phosphorus-doped LPCVD poly-Si passivating contacts and achieved a remarkable open-circuit voltage of 691.7 mV. According to its creators, with some adjustments the cell may be suitable for commercial production.
The Hydrogen Stream: Longi wants to reach electrolyzer capacity of 2 GW by 2023
Elsewhere, Air Products is planning to build a 2 GW electrolysis plant in Saudi Arabia and Protium is deploying its first 100 kW electrolyzer in the U.K.
