Novel design for intermediate band solar cells
A UK-Australian research group has built an intermediate band solar cell with a quantum ratchet semiconductor nanostructure that reportedly increases the ratchet band state lifetime of the device. Their new design builds on a cell structure known as the Vaquero–Stainer Device (VSD).
Fraunhofer ISE founder, solar pioneer Adolf Goetzberger dies
Adolf Goetzberger, the founder of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and an early proponent of photovoltaics, passed away on Feb. 24 at the age of 94.
FuturaSun unveils n-type heterojunction solar modules
Italy’s FuturaSun has developed new bifacial double-glass PV modules based on n-type heterojunction (HJT) half-cut multi-busbar solar cells. The Velvet Pro line features M6 cells with power ratings ranging from 380 W to 480 W for rooftop applications. The Velvet Premium line features M12 cells, with power ratings from 615 W to 700 W for large-scale applications.
Everything you always wanted to know about AC-Wallboxes
What have you always wanted to know about residential EV-charging solutions? In this pv magazine Webinar we will ask you directly and make your answers the star of the webinar.
In search of the perfect polymer for PV backsheets, encapsulants
Scientists in Austria have examined the impact of different backsheet and encapsulant material combinations on module performance and degradation. This led them to develop a model to quantify the degradation rates of different materials, potentially helping manufacturers to identify better, longer-lasting materials for these vital module components.
Dutch study confirms feasibility of PV plants on dikes
A Dutch consortium recently tested four different PV system configurations along water in the Netherlands. The country has approximately 17,000 km of dikes and a preliminary study has shown that they offer the potential for 11 GW of solar capacity.
Storing solar power by incinerating metals
Scientists in Sweden have proposed the use of excess wind and solar power to incinerate metals such as aluminum and iron, in order to produce heat that could be used to generate electricity or hydrogen.
Italy hits 25 GW milestone
Italy deployed 2.48 GW of new PV systems in 2022, with the residential solar segment accounting for almost 50% of the total installed capacity.
Greece struggling to connect 1 GW of installed PV to grid
Pospief, the association of solar producers in Greece, says that about 1 GW of installed PV projects are still waiting to connect to the grid. The Greek distribution system is unable to accommodate new, small-scale PV capacity, aside from net-metering projects.
France unveils new FIT rates for PV systems up to 500 kW
France’s new feed-in tariffs (FITs) for the first quarter range from €0.2349 ($0.25)/kWh for installations below 3 kW in size to €0.1287/kWh for arrays ranging in capacity from 100 kW to 500 kW.
