Heat pump design to reduce footprint of solar thermal installations
A US-Mexican research team has investigated how linking heat pumps with solar thermal collectors may help reduce the surface needed to deploy the collectors themselves. The scientists found the proposed solution may not only significantly reduce the footprint of solar thermal systems but also provide a lower levelized cost of energy compared to fossil fuels.
CIGS solar cell using aluminum doped zinc oxide film achieves 9.53% efficiency
Scientists have developed a technique for producing AZO and i-ZnO/AZO bilayer structures in solar cells that greatly improves cell efficiency and durability. Using a low power deposition method that avoids raising the substrate temperature, the team achieved a power conversion efficiency of 9.53% with good transmittance.
Maxeon’s PV module capacity hits 2.5 GW in Mexico
Maxeon Solar Technologies says it has invested $70 million to upgrade its panel factory in Mexicali, Mexico, to 1.8 GW. The remaining capacity is provided by a 700 MW facility that the Singapore-based manufacturer operates in Ensenada.
April irradiance up for US and Mexico, down for Canada
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, presents the solar irradiance data it collected for North America in April. These data show that positive departures from normal April irradiation benefitted solar producers from California, Baja California and Sonora right across the continent to Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maine.
Mexico’s Solarever commissions new 500 MW solar panel production line
Mexican PV module manufacturer Solarever expects its newly announced production line has raised the annual capacity of its factory in southwestern Mexico to 1.1 GW.
Hindsight to foresight: Applying lessons from solar to battery storage
Battery storage for clean energy is one of the hottest topics in the energy industry. In some cases, lithium-ion batteries may have shorter expected lifetimes than other energy system elements like solar modules, and safety is incredibly critical for battery fleets. In this pv magazine Webinar, we’ll learn about innovative battery analytics tools and services that simplify ownership, prioritize safety, drive competitive differentiation, and maximize profitability.
The Hydrogen Stream: Germany opens Europe’s first green ammonia tender
Germany has announced plans to sign long-term green ammonia purchase agreements, in addition to strengthening its ties with Australia. Repsol and Fusion Fuel, meanwhile, are advancing their hydrogen projects on the Iberian Peninsula.
Atlas Renewable Energy switches on 300 MW solar project in Mexico
The 300 MW La Pimienta solar project is now selling electricity to Mexican utility CFE under a 15-year power purchase agreement. It is Mexico’s second-largest operational PV facility.
Latin America may host three more solar factories
Mexican solar manufacturer Solarever said it wants to invest $1 billion in a new factory in Jalisco and Brazilian PV system provider Sengi Solar said it aims to set up two manufacturing facilities in the states of Paraná and Pernambuco.
Mexico’s Solarever targets 1 GW of PV production capacity
Solarever, a Mexican PV module manufacturer, is aiming for 1 GW of production capacity and plans to list shares on the New York Stock Exchange, as it expands into the storage and electric-vehicle markets.
