Fraunhofer activates Europe’s biggest vanadium flow battery
Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT) has commissioned Europe’s largest vanadium redox flow battery, a 2 MW/20 MWh pilot facility in Germany.
Photovoltaics for atmospheric water harvesting
A scientist in Turkey has simulated eight PV-supported hybrid atmospheric water harvesting systems and compared their performances. They were all considered to operate with R1233zd(E), R1234yf, and R600a, as well as R32 refrigerants. The required PV system size was as low as 20 m2.
Tongwei achieves 91.7% bifaciality factor for 722 W TOPCon solar module
The Chinese manufacturer said the result was confirmed by TÜV Rheinland. It was achieved through a sunken pyramid structure that reportedly achieves selective-texture on the non-electrode area of rear-side and a zebra-crossing passivation contact structure that is said to ensure excellent passivation.
U.S. startup offers tin oxide, nickel oxide materials for flexible perovskite solar cells, modules
Sofab Inks, a spinoff of University of Louisville in the United States, says its transport layer materials enable perovskite solar cells with greater stability, efficiency, and scalability compared to incumbent materials.
Photovoltaics for agromining
Researchers in France have investigated how photovoltaic power generation can be combined with the growth of hyperaccumulating plants in disused, contaminated brownfield land and have found this combination could help increase the profitability of the so-called agromining – a plant-based approach to cleaning up contaminated environments.
In a world of low-cost batteries, performance matters
Oversupply of lithium-ion battery precursor and active materials – and of lithium iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, especially in China – has driven energy storage system costs down, fueling a record 330 GWh of battery energy storage system (BESS) shipments in 2024. Edward Rackley, head of the energy storage team at Business intelligence specialist CRU, shares his analysis.
LiNa Energy opens sodium battery pilot manufacturing line in UK
10 kWh sodium-metal-chloride batteries will be build at new site in Lancaster, England. Start-up LiNa is targeting markets with harsh climates during initial rollout and intends to produce 100 kWh systems following 10 kWh trial projects.
How albedo interacts with different rooftop PV system patterns
Researchers have simulated 160 cases of PV rooftop installation in southern and northern Italy. Among changing parameters were size and type of the panels, as well as their roof cover rate. The considered albedos were 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%, representing different types of roof materials.
CNNP Optoelectronics unveils 16.5%-efficient perovskite solar module
CNNP Optoelectronics has started producing a 1,200 mm × 1,600 mm perovskite solar module on a 200 MW pilot line, marking a step toward scaling commercial manufacturing of next-generation PV technologies.
Sierra Space adds production capacity for solar power systems for satellites
The U.S.-based commercial aerospace and defense technology company, announced a new $45 million facility in Colorado to manufacture solar array systems to serve the growing satellite market.
