Weekend Read: A long time coming
Long-duration energy storage (LDES) is essential for decarbonizing the grid but gigawatt-hour scale systems continue to be tricky for companies with big ideas. Here are some of the latest innovations across a flourishing array of new – and old – ideas.
China produced 288.7 GW of modules, 827,000 MT of polysilicon in 2022
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) says Chinese manufacturers produced 357 GW of wafers and 318 GW of solar cells in 2022.
Tongwei unveils 21.7%-efficient shingled solar panels for residential PV
Tongwei is offering six versions of its monofacial monocrystalline panels, with power outputs ranging from 400 W to 430 W and power conversion efficiencies between 20.1% and 21.7%.
New Aalborg inverter design for PV applications
An international research group has developed a new Aalborg inverter design for high-power applications in solar arrays. The device has fewer switches than conventional, voltage-source inverters and can reportedly improve PV system performance by reducing switching losses.
Trina Solar, Hanwha Qcells reach settlement on patent dispute
Hanwha Qcells and Trina Solar say they have signed a patent licensing and transfer agreement with each other to end a dispute over their intellectual property.
Iron-chromium flow battery for renewables storage
Researchers in China have successfully prepared cobalt oxide-modified graphite felt as an electrode material for an iron-chromium flow battery. The electrode performance significantly improved due to the effects of cobalt, which in turn boosted the energy efficiency and overall performance of the battery.
Longi releases new alkaline electrolyzer
China’s Longi claims that its new ALK Hi1 electrolyzer can produce hydrogen with an energy content of 4.3 kWh per normal cubic meter. It says the levelized cost of hydrogen could be up to 2.2% lower than other electrolyzers on the market.
Weekend Read: Dawn of the store-age
Last year was another landmark 12 months for energy storage, with all indicators pointing to a massive surge in demand. Supply chain instability and inflation saw battery prices rise but the industry demonstrated an ability to swiftly react to geopolitical developments. We look at five trends driving the market.
Wafer, cell prices continue to rise
Wafer prices rose by between 24% and 36% this week, according to new data from the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNMIA).
Trina Solar to expand n-type ingot capacity by 35 GW
In response to growing demand, Trina Solar has revealed plans to ramp up ingot capacity at a new factory in Xining, in China’s Qinghai province.
