New method for PV site suitability mapping
Scientists in Malaysia have developed a novel deep-learning method for PV suitability mapping. Applying the new approach to the Middle East, they found that approximately 5.8% of the region has very high suitability and 11.5% is highly suitable for PV energy development.
Mitsubishi testing aquifer thermal energy storage for renewables
The Japanese conglomerate and the Osaka Metropolitan University are testing an aquifer thermal energy storage system that directly uses 10,000 m3 of groundwater stored at 5 C in a cooling well. It is intended to store renewable energy and produce cooling for air conditioning in the summer or heating for the winter.
Swiss researchers seek to simplify TOPCon cell production with single-step annealing process
A Swiss research team has developed a novel single-step annealing process for tunnel oxide passivating contact (TOPCon) solar cells. Demonstrating the approach, the scientists built a proof-of-concept TOPCon device with a 21% efficiency.
German batteries stabilizing solar energy prices at expense of own profitability
Analyst Thema Consulting Group has calculated the impact of rapid expansion of battery storage systems in Germany and found they will help stabilize solar prices by reducing the number of negatively-priced-electricity hours – but will cannibalize their own revenue in doing so.
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.
