Edinburgh Instruments unveils spectrofluorometer for perovskite, organic solar cells
The new FS5 v2 Spectrofluorometer is available as a benchtop system for fluorescence spectroscopy.
PV-powered fine sand solar geyser for domestic hot water
The system is described by its creators as a cost-effective solution for water heating by storing thermal energy in fine sand. Techno-economic analysis indicated the system is economically viable for domestic water heating applications, with an initial capital cost of $278 and an expected lifespan of 25 years.
Estimating potential-induced degradation in PV systems used for water pumping
Researchers in Spain have developed a new method to estimated potential-induced degradation (PID) in solar modules used in PV-driven water pumping systems. The proposed approach can detect PID from the open-circuit voltage measurement of the system’s PV module strings.
Reducing PV module temperature with air convection
Scientists have analyzed how forced convection PV, free convection with finned plate PV, and forced convection with finned plate PV can reduce solar module temperatures under the climate conditions of Lebanon.
Solar to power Denmark’s largest energy community
Denmark’s largest energy community is now under construction, featuring more than 30,000 sqm of solar rooftops with a total capacity of about 4 MW. The project will use building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) on pitched roofs and building-attached photovoltaics (BAPV) on flat roofs from Danish specialist Solartag.
Floating PV systems could increase the climate resilience of lakes
Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) has conducted new research on the impact of floating PV and water temperature and evaporation.
New model to predict moisture ingress in photovoltaic modules
Researchers in Netherlands and Belgium have created a numerical model to simulate the moisture ingress in PV modules. Their research work showed that climate in which a PV module is installed has a much higher impact on the moisture ingress than the choice of materials for the encapsulant of the backsheet.
How to optimize heat exchangers in heat pumps
Scientists have developed a new model for heat exchangers of heat pumps, combining strengths of numerical modeling and machine learning.
New UK planning rules for heat pumps come into effect, one meter rule scrapped
Change to planning law could simplify heat pump installation process for thousands of households in England. Limits on the size and number of heat pumps that can be installed have also been raised. The changes have been introduced as the UK government pursues 600,000 installations per year by 2028 target.
Supercharging pumped-hydro stations with floating PV
Scientists have simulated the addition of floating solar panels to Switzerland’s Etzelwerk, an open-loop pumped-storage hydropower plant. Using 10% of the upper reservoir for the solar panels, the research team was able to add about 20% of the energy output.
