The Hydrogen Stream: Dye-sensitized photocatalyst promises most efficient solar water splitting to date
Japanese researchers have developed a new way to improve water splitting, while South Korea has completed its largest hydrogen production complex. Scotland and England have announced new hydrogen investments, and Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power have agreed to collaborate on hydrogen projects.
ITO-free organic solar cells for large modules
Researchers in South Korea have reported success in developing large-area, indium tin oxide-free, flexible organic solar cells. Their zinc oxide bilayer-based organic solar cells demonstrated an efficiency of 7.67% for a module area of 528 square centimeters.
Universal method to improve lifespan of lithium-ion batteries
Researchers at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) have developed a broadly applicable and versatile post-electrode-engineering process. It can be applied to a range of conventional anodes to improve their stability.
South Korea’s largest renewables PPA
SK Specialty has agreed to buy electricity from 50 MW of renewable energy assets located in South Korea’s South Chungcheong Province from 2024 to 2044 at an undisclosed price.
Solar tree-based photovoltaic plants for mountainous areas
Scientists in land-scarce Korea are proposing to use solar trees to build PV installations in forest areas. Although more expensive than conventional ground-mounted facilities, solar plants made of solar trees may capture carbon from forest land and produce energy at the same time.
Large-area organic solar cell with 14.7% efficiency
Scientists in Korea built an organic solar cell that is reportedly able to prevent aggregation in photoactive layers. The device could be used for applications in buildings, vehicles, and the Internet of Things.
Novel busbar-free cell design for shingled solar modules
South Korean scientists have fabricated a busbar-free solar cell for shingled modules that uses 60% less silver than its busbar counterparts. A module with the new cells had almost the same performance as a reference shingled panel built with a conventional cell design.
Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell with 23.5% efficiency
US and South Korean researchers claim to have achieved a power conversion efficiency of 23.50% in a perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell built with a special textured anti-reflective coating (ARC) polymeric film. The cell is also able to retain 91% of its initial efficiency after 120 hours.
Construction begins on South Korea’s largest PV project
South Korean utility Kepco is building a 200 MW solar park on a former salt farm. It said the project will be operational by June 2023.
Agrivoltaics for broccoli, cabbage
Scientists in South Korea have combined PV generation with vegetable farming and have found that solar array shading provides favorable results for crops such as broccoli and cabbage.
