US researchers model alternatives to farmland for PV deployment
A team of scientists from the University of California has published a study, which says the state could meet 100% of its electricity demand up to 2025 from PV, without having to deploy a single panel on productive farmland or protected natural areas.
Oxford PV receives €15 million financing from EIB
Perovskite solar start up, Oxford PV has received €15 million in financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB), to support its efforts at commercialization of silicon/perovskite tandem solar cell production.
SERIS reaches 21.5% efficiency for fully screen printed cell
The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) announced a new efficiency milestone, achieving 21.5% average cell efficiency for its fully screen printed bifacial silicon technology. According to SERIS, the milestone was achieved at pilot-scale production using commercially available wafers.
Solar Frontier hits new thin film cell efficiency record
The Japanese thin film module manufacturer has announced the achievement of a new world record, having achieved a 22.9% conversion efficiency for a CIS cell measuring 1cm². The record has been verified by Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology.
ETH Zürich demonstrates decentralized energy systems
Researchers at ETH Zürich have published a paper illustrating the potential for distributed energy systems with solar at their heart, as a replacement for the current centralized energy system.
Floating electrolyzer for PV powered hydrogen
Scientists at New York’s Columbia University have a developed a floating device, which uses PV generated electricity to convert seawater into hydrogen.
Photovoltaik-Institut Berlin (PI) acquires Solarbuyer
Through the merger with the U.S. company, the Photovoltaik-Institute (PI) wants to gain a foothold in the world’s second largest photovoltaic market, the United States.
Researchers develop ‘grass like’ light-scattering nano structure for solar glass
A team of scientists from the University of Pittsburgh have created a glass surface with an etched nano structure that allows for up to 95% light transmittance, and can also scatter the light entering the glass, so that more light reaches a solar cell beneath.
MIT researchers observe effects of climate on solar cell performance
Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a tool to predict solar cell performance at any location worldwide. The tool utilizes a combination of global weather data gathered by satellite and cell performance data from two different locations.
Kenyatta University of Nairobi unveils “Centre of Excellence” with PV focus
Kenyatta University of Nairobi, has launched a Sh59 million (US$571,700) “Centre of Excellence” focused on the generation of solar energy in Kenya.
