Europe

Scientists in Germany evaluated multiple silicon cell concepts based on both cost and efficiency in serving as the bottom layer in a perovskite-silicon tandem cell. The study, based on both simulation and experimental work, outlines advantages to various approaches with the silicon cell and concludes that in almost every case, perovskite-silicon tandem cells have the potential to bring solar costs down below what could be achieved with silicon alone.

A 6 MW solar park is being developed by Slovenian power provider HESS. The facility will be linked to a hydropower plant and will also rely on pumped hydro storage.

RWTH Aachen University and Forschungszentrum Jülich evaluated the data. It shows a growing demand for photovoltaic storage systems in 2019 and continued positive market sentiment lasting well into 2020.

Researchers have modeled the effects of various PV module arrangements on a greenhouse used for rose growing in Iran’s Shiraz region. The team determined a ‘sweet spot’ where modules produced the most energy and provided optimal growth conditions for the crop.

German standards body TÜV Rheinland is introducing a new testing and certification program for pv modules. The program incorporates component specific tests and ongoing, random testing of running production lines. Hanwha Q Cells assisted in the development of the program, and this week announced it is the first manufacturer to receive the new Quality Control PV Certification.

While Donald Trump grapples with the result of the election, Europe’s highest officials have moved on, and demonstrated new optimism for the four years ahead by setting a preliminary agenda for cooperation aimed at president-elect Joe Biden with key topics including work on renewables, battery storage and carbon pricing.

If a call by the Ministry of Energy to procure 155 MW of solar next year is adopted, a first, 50 MW auction would be held in June.

According to a research team from Oxford University, solar and wind may be applied in power-to-methanol projects only if the methanol industry will switch from conventional chemical processes, that require a constant energy supply, to more flexible processes that need demand-side management.

A trial run of a network of 5G-linked substation computers could free up 1.4 GW of grid capacity if rolled out across the U.K., according to the regional utility.

EU environmental laws are driving the implementation of zero-emission solutions in the Netherlands.