Solitek launches anti-glare black bifacial solar modules
Lithuania’s Solitek has launched full-black 425 W bifacial solar modules with matte, satin-textured glass for glare-sensitive sites such as airports, road barriers, and buildings.
High-temperature co-annealing step could cut TOPCon cell costs
Researchers at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have proposed combining the two high-temperature steps used in producing tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cells into a single co-annealing process. Initial results show promising outcomes in boron concentration, passivation quality, and contact resistivity.
Novel switched capacitor boosting inverter for PV usage
Researchers have designed a new switched-capacitor-based multilevel inverter topology with nine switches. They have tested it in simulations and in hardware-in-the-loop tests. Efficiency reached up to 96.5%.
Dual PV module cooling tech based on water, air
Scientists in Hungary have built an experimental rig that uses a 60 W polycrystalline solar panel with 152 holes drilled into its frame for air cooling, as well as high-conductivity copper alloy pipes and fins placed on its back for water cooling.
Organic cell based on additive-based coating solution achieves 16.27% efficiency
Scientists from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have used a dielectric additive in organic photovoltaic fabrication to produce uniform films in ambient humidity levels between 10% and 70%. The researchers said the approach improves process stability for organic solar cells.
Italian startup building power beaming tech for drones
SunCubes, a startup from Italy, is developing laser-based wireless power transfer technology to provide in-flight energy to drones for uninterrupted recharging. It has raised seed funding to finance a minimal viable product.
Improving vertical PV performance with adjustable reflectors
Researchers in Taiwan have developed an adjustable aluminum reflector system that boosts the performance of vertically mounted bifacial solar modules. The prototype delivered a 71.32% total power gain over a baseline system without reflectors.
The Hydrogen Stream: Lhyfe raises €2.5 million in first crowdfunding round
Lhyfe has raised €2.5 million ($2.9 million) from 1,200 investors for four hydrogen sites in France and Germany, while the UK government has opened a consultation on injecting up to 2% hydrogen into the gas grid.
U.S. startup installs building-integrated, organic photovoltaic facade
Next Energy Technologies has completed the first installation of its transparent organic photovoltaic glass facade. The 9.3 m2 installation is located at its headquarters in Santa Barbara, California.
Sungrow launches next-gen hybrid residential energy storage system
Sungrow Power has revealed its newest hybrid residential energy storage system. Upgrades to its MG Series inverters and a battery will be launched in Q4.
