New encapsulation method boosts perovskite solar cell efficiency by 8%
Scientists at Aalto University in Finland have demonstrated a one-step encapsulant method for perovskite solar cells that provides shielding from oxygen and moisture-induced degradation and a significant relative improvement in efficiency.
Adveco releases 65 kW, 110 kW heat pumps
Adveco has released 65 kW and 110 kW heat pumps, capable of scaling up to 1,760 kW by controlling up to 16 systems from a single unit. The pumps feature R32 refrigerant circuits.
The Hydrogen Stream: Mibgas, DH2 Energy launch Iberian H2 auction
Portuguese researchers say that raw materials are not a major concern for the European supply chain, while Mibgas Derivatives and DH2 Energy have launched the Iberian Peninsula’s first renewable hydrogen auction.
Learning from leading rooftop solar markets
A report from the Council of Energy, Environment and Water has analyzed nine of the ten countries with the largest rooftop solar markets to offer recommendations to other economies looking to accelerate rooftop solar deployment.
Dutch parliament approves end of net metering in 2027
Trade body Holland Solar says the Dutch parliament has approved eliminating net metering in 2027, giving the solar sector clarity to move forward.
Nine-year EL testing on 85,000 PV modules shows increasing presence of edge ribbon cracks
A UK research team used electroluminescence imaging to inspect 167 PV installations comprising a total of 5 million solar cells. Defects were categorized into into line cracks, complex cracks, edge-ribbon cracks, and potential-Induced degradation (PID).
Stuck in a loop: The co-adoption dynamics of PV and heat pumps
Scientists in Switzerland have created a system-dynamics model for the adoption of PV and heat pumps in Swiss residential buildings up to 2050. They have examined several scenarios to see how the incentive for PV affects heat pump adoption and the other way around, and they have concluded that strong regulatory changes are necessary to completely decarbonize the residential sector.
SMA reports weak financials, lowers 2024 outlook
German inverter maker SMA says it has recorded €1.06 billion ($1.12 billion) of revenue for the first nine months of 2024.
Custom-colored modules increase social acceptance of building-integrated photovoltaics
A study by the University of Freiburg and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems finds that deploying color-matching solar modules on a building’s roof or facade further increases social acceptance of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).
German financial regulator to audit Baywa’s 2023 annual report
The German Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) has announced an audit of BayWa AG’s 2023 annual report, citing specific evidence of potential accounting inaccuracies. For the first nine months of this year, BayWa’s records indicate €16 billion ($16.9 billion) in sales and a €77.6 million loss in earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT).
