Agrivoltaics on rice fields, not a lost cause
Researchers in Japan have made another attempt to make agrivoltaics on rice fields technically and economically feasible, despite well-known productivity issues when rice is grown below solar modules. They used double-axis tracking, finding potential with careful management of shading and tilt angles.
Sumitomo Electric supplies flow battery for AI-led smart energy trial in Japan
Sumitomo Electric Industries has installed a vanadium redox flow battery at Osaka Metropolitan University as part of a trial to optimize solar use and energy storage with AI. The project combines the battery with Kansai Electric Power’s cloud-based control platform.
Daikin unveils high-temperature heat pump for industrial applications, district heating
Daikin said its new EWWH-VZ water-cooled inverter chiller and heat pump has cooling and heating capacity ranging from 400 kW to 1,900 kW. The system uses R1234ze as the refrigerant.
Vending machine trial with chalcopyrite solar
PXP Corp. and Suntory Holdings, both based in Japan, have begun to test the practicality and performance of a vending machine equipped with PXP’s lightweight, glass-free solar panels in Sagamihara, Japan.
Surplus PV for electric delivery vehicles
Scientists in Japan have developed a model that predicts surplus PV generation and creates a route for optimized charging of electric delivery vehicles. They defined their work as a “practical blueprint for logistics operators.”
Gallium arsenide solar cells radiation-resilient for space applications
A group led by Cambridge University has developed an adhesive-free method of bonding ultra-thin gallium arsenide solar cells to borosilicate glass. The proposed technique is reportedly compatible with standard planar device processing.
The Hydrogen Stream: Lhyfe raises €2.5 million in first crowdfunding round
Lhyfe has raised €2.5 million ($2.9 million) from 1,200 investors for four hydrogen sites in France and Germany, while the UK government has opened a consultation on injecting up to 2% hydrogen into the gas grid.
Japanese projects to pilot solar on low load-bearing roofs, BIPV windows
A partnership between PXP Inc and Tokyo Gas Co is working on developing film-type chalcopyrite solar cells for industrial roofs with low load-bearing capacity. Elsewhere, a coalition of partners is installing inner windows featuring perovskite solar cells at Tokyo’s Telecom Center Building.
The Hydrogen Stream: eCap Marine to supply fuel cells for marine vessels
eCap Marine says it will supply 8 MW of hydrogen fuel cell systems for four zero-emission vessels under construction for Norway’s Møre Sjø and logistics firm Samskip, with deliveries expected in 2027.
Panasonic launches new domestic hot water heat pump
The Aquarea DHW Heat Pump utilizes propane as the refrigerant and is reportedly able to reach maximum temperatures of 65 C. The standalone unit supports PV contact and is compatible with external recirculation pumps.
