DNV GL to provide grid storage testing to ARPA-E
Renewable energy and sustainability advisory DNV GL has signed a four-year deal to supply performance testing for U.S. government agency ARPA-E. The testing will validate the performance, reliability and safety of grid-tied storage technologies for which Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) is providing funding.
Hanwha Q Cells to evaluate SoLayTec InPassion technology
Dutch research spinoff SoLayTec has announced that Hanwha Q Cells has begun evaluating its atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology. The InPassion ALD can be deployed for PERC upgrades and n-type cell production.
South Korean researchers develop new and improved perovskite formula
The blend addresses the technology’s inherent instability problems and reportedly delivers the highest-efficiency perovskite cell to date, according to IEEE Spectrum.
Dyesol to commercialize perovskite cells in Turkey
The successful completion of a pilot line phase would lead to the start of mass manufacturing in 2018, according to plans by Dyesol and Turkish partner Nesli DSC.
Amtech acquires SoLayTec from RENA
U.S.-based Amtech Systems has acquired p-type PERC and n-type technology supplier SoLayTec from RENA. SoLayTec will be brought into the Amtech group through its Dutch subsidiary Tempress Group Holding.
MegaCell, RCT sign bi-facial poly-crystalline technology transfer deal
The Italian company plans to use the technology for its expansion capacity project in Europe as well as for PV manufacturers interested in poly-cristalline bi-facial cells and modules.
SEMI: Equipment sales fall as book-to-bill remains negative
Worldwide PV equipment billings have fallen in Q3 2014, decreasing to $264 million, a fall over 17% quarter-on-quarter. Bookings also fell to $157 million, 33% below Q2, with the book-to-bill ratio remaining below parity.
NREL partners with GE on microgrid development project
Collaboration includes involvement from the Electric Power Research Institute and focuses on $8 million program to leverage capabilities of energy systems integration facilities.
Niche solar products enjoying their moment in sun
From spray-on and peel and stick to solar cloth and solar-powered cycle paths, PV’s potential is being examined across a number of innovative applications.
Cleantech disruption to reduce annual utility revenues by up to $123 billion
The growth of distributed generation and energy efficiency is set to reduce utility revenues by up to $123 billion a year by 2025. This is the finding of a new report by consultants Accenture, in its Digitally Enabled Grid report, which advises that utilities will have to fundamentally transform their business models.
