Solar industry cost-cutting sparks record wave of spontaneous glass breakage
Instances of cracks in PV module glass started appearing about five years ago. Spontaneous glass breakage is now one of the solar industry’s top issues, but manufacturing pressures and a lack of standards are hindering solutions.
Finnish researchers build stirling engine-based Carnot battery prototype using sand for heat storage
Scientists in Sweden experimentally evaluated a Stirling engine–based Carnot battery (SECB) prototype using low-cost sand as thermal energy storage, aiming to validate electricity-to-heat-to-electricity storage concepts. Tests showed that higher engine temperatures improved output and duration, but round-trip efficiency remained low, mainly due to thermal losses and limited heat transfer in the sand bed.
Utility-scale solar expansion has little impact on U.S. crop prices
Research from Indiana University suggests that concerns over the impact of solar development on US agricultural production are largely exaggerated, with prices for maize, soybeans and wheat expected to increase by less than 5.6% if the build out of utility-scale solar on cropland is consistent with historical patterns.
Meeting the challenges of long life time PV on buildings
As Europe’s first generations of integrated PV systems age, researchers and industry actors are only beginning to explore the long-term realities of maintenance, compatibility and repair.
How to prevent stray voltage from harming livestock in PV-equipped dairy farms
Stray voltage is unwanted electrical potential differences in barns that can cause small shocks to livestock, especially dairy cows, through damp floors, metal equipment, and water systems, leading to stress and reduced productivity, and in some cases even to death. While PV systems are sometimes blamed, experts told pv magazine that the real causes are faulty or poorly designed grounding and electrical infrastructure, and that proper equipotential bonding is key to prevention. With attentive design, these risks to animal health can be avoided.
TCL SunPower launches new shingled TOPCon module series
The new modules feature bifaciality of 85%, an efficiency of up to 24.8%, annual degradation of 0.35%, and a 30-year performance warranty,
Omani PV manufacturer AACE switches to TOPCon
The company’s new facility, located in the Salalah Free Zone in southern Oman, is currently manufacturing PERC technology, with plans to transition to TOPCon before the end of the year.
IRENA proposes global electrification target of 35% by 2035
New report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) says renewables will be key to meeting rising global demand for electricity but with up to 2.5 TW of solar, storage and wind projects already in connection queues worldwide, increased investment in grid infrastructure will be pivotal.
UNSW researchers shed new light on UV-induced degradation in PERC, TOPCon solar cells
The scientists identified that UV exposure in PERC and TOPCon solar cells increases interface defects and makes them more recombination-active, driving ultraviolet-induced degradation. They found strong degradation on PERC front and rear surfaces and TOPCon front surfaces, while the TOPCon rear remains stable due to poly-Si UV absorption.
European PV avoided €10 billion in gas imports since escalation of Iran conflict
European photovoltaics have generated enough electricity since early March to avoid an estimated €10 billion in gas imports, according to SolarPower Europe, with savings averaging €110 million per day.
