Novel way to calculate levelized cost of hydrogen generated by offgrid PV
French energy giant Engie has developed a transfer function method based on a model used to assess PV plant variability. Its researchers claim that the new approach does not overestimate the levelized cost of hydrogen of an alkaline electrolyzer powered by offgrid solar.
Bangladesh aiming for 2.3 GW of solar this decade
The nation announced a more ambitious climate change and renewables target at COP26 in Glasgow, and will be boosted by a $160 million funding pledge from the summit host nation.
European consortium develops ways to couple heat pumps with solar panels
The Sun Horizon consortium has started to collect performance data on two pilot projects that combine heat pumps with solar systems using hybrid panels on homes in Riga, Latvia. The solution features a heat pump for space heating and domestic hot water and PVT panels to produce power for heating and domestic appliances, with excess power fed to the grid.
Rusnano tests made-in-Russia CIGS solar tiles
The 15%-efficient solar tile is manufactured by Russian producer Solartek with CIGS equipment provided by Sweden’s Midsummer.
Rear-side passivation for 17.4% efficient CdTe thin film
Scientists in the United States investigated adding a layer of copper-aluminum oxide to the rear side of a cadmium-telluride thin film cell, finding positive impacts on carrier lifetime and efficiency. With further work, the scientists say, the discovery could open up new routes to higher efficiencies in CdTe solar cells.
Canadian Solar signs deal for 1.5 GW/3 GWh of UK batteries
English clean energy company Windel Energy will develop the projects until they are ready-to-build, with Canadian Solar expected to supply the batteries.
Analyst revises up zero-emission vehicle forecast after bumper year
A report published by BloombergNEF for the COP26 climate change summit has listed global commitments by cities, states, provinces and nations to end the sale of new fossil-fueled vehicles but, with 2035 estimated as the cut-off date for zero-emission roads by mid century, policymakers need to be more ambitious.
US Commerce Department throws out anti-dumping petitions
The dismissal is a win for the Solar Energy Industries Association, which vigorously opposed the request by American Solar Manufacturers Against Chinese Circumvention (A-SMACC) for anti-dumping and anti-circumvention (AD-CVD) tariffs
Australia’s hottest town now has a battery to store its excess solar
The town of Marble Bar in Western Australia’s remote East Pilbara region is famed for at one time recording 100 consecutive days of temperatures exceeding 37 C. So it’s no wonder the town’s residents have excess solar and nowhere to put it. That is, until now, thanks to the installation of a battery energy storage system beside the town’s centralized solar farm.
DC Solar owner sentenced to 30 years for Ponzi scheme
DC Solar Co-owner Jeff Carpoff has been sentenced to 30 years in U.S. prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, in what the Department of Justice has described as “the largest criminal fraud scheme in the history of the Eastern District of California.”
