Asia

An international team of scientists have combined cyclic-olefin copolymers with a powder of aluminum oxide to create a filament that can be used by a 3D printer to create anti-reflective covers for PV modules. The proposed innovation can reportedly improve PV cell efficiency by over 25%.

India has been re-elected to hold the presidency of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), with France to serve as co-president, for a two-year term from 2024 to 2026.

Servotech Power Systems has developed a new range of solar solutions, including on-grid microinverters and inverters, hybrid inverters, battery energy storage systems, and solar pump controllers. The microinverters feature maximum power point tracking, built-in WiFi, and reverse power transmission.

A research group has proposed a novel method to control ramp rates in power networks. Its control optimization is based on weather, load and production forecast data. The scientists simulated the operation of the proposed technique and reached a ramp rate reduction of up to 76.2%.

New research shows all the challenges that smart inverters will have to face in the next decades, including cybersecurity issues and increasing manufacturing costs. The scientists explain that, despite the new opportunities that the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence are offering, their application may also result in an increasing number of cyber risks.

Solar panels flooded into Pakistan during the first half of 2024 and oversupply has wiped out module margins. Solar developers want greater liberalization of the nation’s electricity market but the government is concerned that moving too quickly could place more pressure on utilities already burdened by high capacity payments.

The Chinese company said that, under a new agreement, it will collaborate with Xinjiang Silk Road to produce high-efficiency HJT PV modules. It will supply silicon wafers, cells, modules, and more.

The UK government has confirmed new hydrogen plans, while RWE says it has secured construction and environmental permits to build a 100 MW electrolyzer in the Netherlands.

The China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNMIA) says that prices for solar-grade polysilicon remain stable this week despite strong producer pricing intentions, as unresolved downstream demand issues are holding back sales potential.

Three Gorges has revealed plans for a 16.5 GW renewable energy project in China’s Taklamakan Desert, which includes 8.5 GW of solar power, 4 GW of wind, 3.96 GW from six ultra-supercritical coal-fired units, and 5 GWh of electrochemical energy storage.