Iraq

Scientists in Iraq have applied two different kinds of phase-change materials to lower the operating temperatures of PV panels. Their experiment showed that beeswax and paraffin wax are particularly effective in achieving this goal, even when they are combined together.

Researchers in the Middle East have developed a new design for energy systems combining PV power generation with Trombe walls in buildings. They claim their new system configuration with reflective mirrors offers improved overall system efficiency both in terms of heating and electricity production.

An international team has sought to use indium sulfide as an electron transport material in a perovskite solar cell. The result is a device with lower defect density and improved performance.

Scientists in Iraq have applied an amorphous carbon nitride (CNx) thin film as an anti-reflective layer in commercial crystalline silicon solar cells. They claim they were able to improve their efficiency from 5.52 to 13.05%.

TotalEnergies plans to build a 1 GW solar plant near the port of Basra, in southern Iraq.

Under development by Chinese conglomerate Power China, the project will initially have a capacity of 750 MW.

The UAE-based developer wants to build several projects at unspecified locations in central and southern Iraq.

Academics have utilized three PCMs, known as RT26, RT35, and RT42, and decided to pack them ascendingly depending on their melting points and heat-flow direction. The system is claimed to allow lower melting rates and longer thermal management of the modules.

Iraqi researchers have demonstrated the technical and economical feasibility of using shallow geothermal energy to cool PV systems. They tested two different techniques – a closed-loop system and an open-cycle system – to reduce power losses from 30% to up to 4.1%.

A 2MW pilot project is now being developed in the Governorate of Duhok. The project was funded with $2 million by the European Union.