Testing field for PV noise barriers
Two testing facilities for photovoltaic noise barriers are being built by a Belgian consortium. Their creators want to assess different PV technologies, reduce costs and plan large scale projects in Belgium, where land and policy constraints make the construction of ground-mounted PV plants almost impossible.
German start-up offers 5.2 kWh AC battery that works without inverter
Sax Power has developed a new residential battery which it describes as a game-changer in the battery technology.
Solar module for floating PV from Hyundai
The bifacial panel has a power output of up to 485 W and an efficiency of up to 21%. It relies on a transparent backsheet and is encapsulated with polyolefin elastomer (POE).
Serial inventor aims to change PV value chain by addressing heat
Kent Kernahan has set out to take the heat out of solar cells. He and his partners may end up bringing solar manufacturing jobs to disadvantaged communities, while making low-cost rooftop solar more widely available.
Maxeon adds another PV module to AC series
Singapore-based solar manufacturer Maxeon has unveiled the new Performance 3 AC panel, the latest addition to its AC range.
The Hydrogen Stream: What the EU’s Fit for 55 means for hydrogen
The revision of the EU Energy Taxation Directive (ETD) and the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) will also have an impact on the nascent hydrogen economy. The European Commission is currently evaluating options to create a certification system for low-carbon fuels and it may extend the EU-wide certification for renewable fuels to include hydrogen.
An environmental failsafe for lead-based perovskites
Scientists in Switzerland discovered that certain types of phosphate salt react with lead only in the presence of moisture, to form non-water-soluble phosphates. Incorporating these salts into the architecture of a lead-based perovskite solar cell could greatly reduce the risk of lead seeping into the environment should the cells be damaged, without incurring significant costs or negatively affecting the cell’s performance.
Chemical bath deposition for 21.7%-efficient perovskite solar cell based on tin oxide films
The cell was used to build two perovskite solar modules with a size of 5x5cm and 10x10cm, respectively, and with efficiencies of 15.62% and 11.80%.
China wants to test vanadium redox flow batteries
A 125 kW/500kWh storage unit will be tested by China’s National Photovoltaic and Energy Demonstration Experimental Center. The storage system will be provided by Canadian specialist VRB Energy.
Micro-inverter for balcony solar modules
Two different devices designed by German manufacturer Bosswerk can feed up to 300 or 600 watts into the home network. The company offers a 12-year guarantee.
