GCL System Integration unveils 585 W TOPCon solar panel with 22.6% efficiency
The Chinese manufacturer is offering six versions of its new TOPCon modules, with power outputs between 560 W and 585 W. The power conversion efficiency ranges from 21.7% to 22.6%.
Brazil hits 20 GW of distributed solar capacity
Brazil’s distributed-generation solar capacity has hit 20.186 GW, with more than 10.204 GW of residential rooftop installations.
PV-powered robotic lawn mower from New Zealand
Researchers from Massey University in New Zealand have developed a robotic lawn mower with three 50 W solar panels and a 20 Ah lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) battery. Two of the PV panels can be retracted and stacked inside the robot. They slide out when it needs to recharge its batteries.
US government commits $250 million to domestic heat pump production
The US authorities will offer new funds under the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to build a clean energy economy, create new manufacturing jobs, and help families to save money on their energy bills.
Initial attempt to build thin-film solar cells from molybdenum disulfide
A team at Colorado State University has proposed making thin-film solar cells from naturally abundant molybdenum disulfide. It has conducted a series of experiments to show that extremely thin films of molybdenum disulfide have unprecedented charge carrier properties.
Polysilicon prices fall 1.33% to six-week low of $37.218/kg
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
Installed heat pump costs to fall by 20% by 2030, says UK research institute
The UK Energy Research Center says that the total installed cost of air-source heat pumps could fall by 20% by 2030. Non-equipment costs may decline by 30%, while equipment costs alone could drop by 17%.
Germany hits 70 GW milestone
Germany added 2.65 GW of new PV capacity in the first three months of this year. In March alone, the nation’s new PV additions hit 944 MW.
New selenization process paves way for 14%-efficient kesterite solar cells
Scientists in China claim to have gauged the selenization annealing process for kesterite solar cells, in order to achieve a kesterite absorber with low defects. They have developed a device with a certified efficiency of 13.8%.
German startup unveils mobile, tiltable PV modules
Sinn Power is offering new tiltable solar panels for vertical PV systems in nature reserves and water-protection areas. They are not anchored to the ground and use a pendulum weight to return to their proper positions when hit by strong winds.
