MIT scientists developing silicon solar cell based on singlet exciton fission
Scientists in the United States have designed a microwire solar cell that could reportedly enable the coupling of singlet fission with silicon. Key to their achievement was an interface that transfers the electrons and holes sequentially into silicon instead of both at once.
Australian researchers turn to urine to cut hydrogen costs
Australian researchers have developed electrolysis systems that use urea sourced from urine and wastewater to generate hydrogen at “significantly lower” energy costs than traditional water-splitting methods.
Vision-assisted robotics for space solar cell manufacturing
German automation specialist Acp systems developed an advanced robotics solution integrating image processing to handle a range of wafer sizes and tolerances within a vapor deposition process for a manufacturer of space solar cell technologies. The requirements included a compact design, precsion within 0.1 mm and automated wafer handling quality control.
EU updates Photovoltaic Geographical Information System
The EU Joint Research Centre (JRC) has updated the core technologoy of the Photovoltaic Geographical Information System with the aim of reflecting the dominance of crystalline silicon solar technologies over thin-film counterparts in the global energy market.
Sinovoltaics updates solar module supply chain map for Europe
The latest report from the technical compliance and quality assurance company added several new producers but also noted several plant closures acorss the region. It said the current nameplate capacity for the region stands at 21 GW for modules, 3.2 GW for cells, and 1.5 GW for ingots.
UK startup unveils industrial batteries based on repurposed EV battery packs
Allye Energy has launched two new battery storage systems that can provide 820 kW and 1.25 MW of power, respectively. The systems combine up to 18 repurposed EV battery packs with mixed chemistries.
Optimizing Carnot batteries for renewables storage
Based on the the heat pump-organic rankine cycle, scientists in Portugal have created six different models of Carnot batteries for stationary storage. They investigated 16 different combinations of working fluids and created a multi-objective optimization for the best candidate.
SolarPower Europe calls for tough cyber rules following Danish import probe
The recent discovery of unexplained components in Danish energy equipment highlights the urgent need for stronger EU solar cybersecurity rules, according to SolarPower Europe.
Solar key to enable clean cooking in refugee camps
Scientists in Spain studied electricity demand data for the Kobe refugee camp in Ethiopia to optimize several minigrid scenarios, also integrating the use of electric pressure cookers. Their analysis showed that introduction of the cooker required an increase in PV capacity of up 68%.
Fraunhofer ISE developing InP-on-GaAs substrates for III-V solar cells
Fraunhofer ISE researchers say their newly fabricated gallium arsenide substrates (InP-on-GaAs wafers) can replace prime indium phosphide wafers and offer a scalable pathway to lower costs.
