Solliance hits 30.1% efficiency on perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell
The Solliance consortium achieved a 29.2% record efficiency for the solar cell in November 2021, from just 28.7% in March 2020. In recent months, it increased the perovskite cell for the tandem device from 17.8% to 19.7%.
Prospects for Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite solar cells
A research group in the Netherlands has analyzed different manufacturing techniques for two-dimensional Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite solar cells. These cells offer improved photostability and environmental stability compared with their three-dimensional counterparts.
Netherlands to slash VAT for residential PV to 0%
The new measure should come into force on January 1. It is part of the Tax Plan 2023 package and still needs final parliamentary approval.
The Hydrogen Stream: Canadian startup unveils 120 kW fuel cell system
In other news, Alstom tested its hydrogen train for long-distance transportation and the IEA released a report suggesting that hydrogen development may require an annual investment of around $60-130 billion through 2030.
Heterojunction solar cell with 24.18% efficiency via hydrogenated amorphous silicon passivation
A Dutch research group has developed a passivation technique for heterojunction solar cells based on a hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer. Their cell achieved an in-house-certified power conversion efficiency of 24.18%, an open-circuit voltage of 726.0 mV, a short-circuit current of 39.97 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 83.3%.
Shipments of module-level power electronics could hit 100 GW by 2026
IHS Markit said it expects the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands to be the top three markets for cumulative shipments of module-level power electronics in the 2022-26 period. Cumulative shipments are set to hit almost 100 GW by 2026.
Solar covered 25% of August power demand in Netherlands
The remarkable performance of PV in the Netherlands in August was due to more sun, higher generating capacity, and falling energy demand.
Dutch agency investigates cybersecurity of PV inverters after hack
Radiocommunications Agency Netherlands launched a probe after a hacker gained access to PV systems operated via a monitoring tool from China’s Solarman. A company spokesperson told pv magazine that the problem has since been resolved.
The Hydrogen Stream: BMW starts in-house production of fuel cells for iX5 Hydrogen
BMW Group said it is targeting the premium segment with its iX5 Hydrogen car, Topsoe revealed that it will invest $267 million to build the world’s largest SOEC electrolyzer plant in Denmark, and Bosch announced plans to invest $200 million in US fuel cell production.
Hydrogen bromide flow battery for large-scale renewables storage
Dutch startup Elestor has secured funds to bring its hydrogen bromide (HBr) flow battery technology closer to commercial production. It said the system could achieve a levelized cost of storage below $0.05/kW.
