Is the answer to clean, cheap and reliable solar energy floating in the sea?
A team of researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and research body SINTEF are exploring how algae can be used to create next-generation solar cells. Mathias Aare Maehlum, a Masters student in energy and environmental engineering at NTNU explains.
Meyer Burger announces 303 Watt PV module
Using just 60 solar cells, Meyer Burger Technology Ltd has created a 303 W photovoltaic module in production conditions. “Significant” cost reductions are expected to follow.
Roth & Rau unveils nickel busbars for solar cells
Germanys Roth & Rau has developed a new concept for the metallization of solar cell busbars using nickel instead of silver, thus introducing savings of between 50 and 70%.
Air Liquide unveils new solar R&D lab
Air Liquide has inaugurated its new R&D lab in France. Via a solar cell pilot manufacturing line, the company aims to speed-up the introduction of next generation passivation and light trapping technologies.
US SunShot program unveils $10 million rooftop PV competition
In its bid to significantly lower the costs of solar technology and make it competitive with other forms of energy by the end of the decade, the U.S. Department of Energys SunShot program has unveiled a competition inviting participants to demonstrate faster, cheaper and easier ways of installing rooftop photovoltaic systems.
Brazil: Report reveals 10 PV technologies for development
The 10 top technologies industry analysts expect to be developed in Brazils photovoltaic sector over the next 15 years have been unveiled in a new study commissioned by the Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development (ABDI).
Manz reaches 14.6% CIGS panel efficiency
Germany-based Manz AG has announced its CIGS thin film photovoltaic panels have reached an efficiency of 14.6% in production conditions. The company adds that it will able to supply power costing as little as 0.04/kWh in the future.
$20 million CIGS partnership established in US
Under a new US$20 million partnership, Ceres Technologies will supply CIGS manufacturing equipment to the U.S. Photovoltaic Consortium (PVMC), which is headquartered at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineerings (CNSE) Albany NanoTech Complex.
Automated demand response key to intermittent renewables
Automated demand response, or AutoDR could cost-effectively help combat intermittent renewable energy supply, particularly in light of the current high costs of grid-connected storage batteries.
Australia: $40.7 million grant secured for PV research
Hailed as “historic”, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the University of Queensland have been awarded a AU$40.7 million grant to establish two photovoltaic research programs.
