Imec unveils 781 cm2 bifacial perovskite solar panel with 11.9% efficiency
Scientists in Belgium have developed perovskite solar panels with a thermally stable device stack. The encapsulated bifacial panels they created with this configuration were able to retain around 92% of their initial efficiency after 1,000 hours.
US manufacturer releases new dual solar optimizer
Enteligent, a residential PV solutions specialist, has introduced an optimizer model that can be paired with two solar panels. It claims that it features rapid shutdown and monitoring capabilities.
Australian firm appeals to landowners with new PV development model
The question of where to put new solar projects in Australia is becoming troublesome, as many of the top-choice land parcels for renewables development have been taken. However, RELA Australia says it has a novel solution that levels the playing field between landowners and developers.
India to add 16.8 GW of solar in 2023
JMK Research says it expects India to install 14 GW of new utility-scale solar capacity and 2.8 GW of rooftop PV in the 12 months to Dec. 31, 2023.
Spain, Portugal to cap wholesale gas prices until end of year
The European Commission has informally approved Portugal and Spain’s request to extend the so-called “Iberian exemption” mechanism. The measure, which limits the price of natural gas for electricity production, was originally scheduled to end in May, but it will now run until the end of the year.
Global heat pump sales rose by 11% in 2022, says IEA
China sold the most heat pumps in the world in 2022, but Europe recorded the highest growth in overall sales, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). It says Italy, France, and Germany accounted for almost half of all sales in Europe, and notes that air-to-water heat pumps were the most popular technology.
SMA unveils new commercial battery storage solution
Germany’s SMA has developed a modular lithium-ion solution for commercial storage applications. It comes in two versions, with capacities of 32 kWh and 56 kWh. The two variants feature SMA Sunny Tripower Storage X battery inverters, with up to 8,000 complete charge cycles.
UK government scrutinizing British-Moroccan solar-wind interconnector
The UK government is now evaluating a 3,800-km submarine cable that Xlinks plans to build. It will connect a 10.5 GW wind-solar facility in Morocco to locations in Wales and England. The UK authorities might eventually buy power from the plant via a contract-for-difference scheme.
Ireland to slash VAT on residential PV to 0%
The Irish cabinet plans to present a new measure in its finance bill this week to eliminate value-added tax (VAT) on solar products.
Copper thiocyanate to eliminate moisture leaks in perovskite PV cells
Indian scientists have replaced Spiro-OMeTAD with copper thiocyanate (CuSCN) as a hole-transporting material in a perovskite solar cell. They say that the new precursor can offer the same efficiency levels, while reducing moisture leakage.
