Hanergy’s Solibro Hi-Tech unit in liquidation
With the opening of insolvency proceedings, the business operations of the company were halted days ago. No potential investor could be found to take over the business.
German solar glass maker acquired by timber company and start-up innovator
Interfloat Corporation, a European market leader for solar glass, has been bought by Holzverarbeiter HS Timber Group and Blue Minds.
German scientists develop solar facade with 50% higher yield
The three-meter prototype consists of nine panels based on an aluminum compound. The PV elements of the facade can be tilted to capture more sunlight.
Speeding up storage with pseudocapacitors
Scientists at Germany’s Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin have made a discovery they say could greatly increase the energy storage capacity of titanium-based ‘MXene’ pseudocapacitors, ultimately leading to faster-charging batteries. The group found adding urea molecules between MXene layers increased the material’s storage capacity by up to 56%.
Trade shows postponed over coronavirus fears
As the contagion continues to spread, its impact is beginning to be felt on the solar industry outside China with the cancellation or postponement of major trade shows and conferences that were set to take place over the next few weeks.
German grid agency reports 375 MW of new solar in January but revises down cumulative figure 360 MW
The cumulative capacity of subsidized PV systems in Germany reached 49,425 MW at the end of January. Under the nation’s triggered FIT reduction regime the tariff – and income from electricity sold directly to off-takers – will fall 1.4% this month.
Integrating stress and temperature sensors in crystalline silicon cells
Fraunhofer ISE researchers have integrated stress and temperature sensors within a PV module. They claim that the devices cover a very minimal part of the cells, and that their interaction with the module and the cell itself is quite limited. The sensors can be manufactured as part of a regular cell manufacturing process.
Juwi applies new coating to operations and maintenance portfolio
The developer of the material, US-based specialist Pellucere, says its innovation can raise PV energy yield 3.5-4.2%.
International consortium claims 25% efficiency for perovskite CIGS solar cell
Researchers led by Belgian institute imec claim to have achieved the result with a 1cm² perovskite tandem solar cell. The result tops the 24.6% efficiency the consortium announced in September 2018. The cell’s developers are now aiming for 30%.
Tesla can continue to cut trees for German ‘gigafactory’
The company has secured approval from the Berlin-Brandenburg administrative court to start clearing 91 hectares of forest for its first European “gigafactory,” which is scheduled to start operations in summer 2021.
