Solliance, MiaSolé hit 26.5% efficiency on tandem CIGS/perovskite solar cell
MiaSolé and Solliance have achieved record performance by optimizing the bandgap and the efficiency of both the rigid semi-transparent perovskite top cell and the flexible CIGS bottom cell.
New European project to drive 95 GW of solar and 67 GW of hydrogen
A total of 30 major companies from across Europe are laying the foundations to create HyDeal Ambition, a value chain promising to provide 100% green hydrogen for €1.5/kg by 2030, matching the current price of fossil-fuel produced ‘grey’ hydrogen.
UK solar innovator planning unique thin film pilot
UK-based company Power Roll has picked up £5.8 million in investment over the past six months and plans to begin pilot production this year. The company has developed a unique flexible thin-film technology, which promises to combine both solar generation and storage.
Spain introduces EV charging stations using second-life batteries
Spanish companies Repsol and Ibil have launched the first charging station for electric vehicles with energy storage. The system reuses batteries from electric buses.
Abengoa completes construction on pilot green hydrogen plant
Abengoa Innovación has completed the construction of the pilot plant for the Grasshopper project, which is in the commissioning and start-up phase in Seville. The plant will be then transferred to its final location – the Netherlands.
Hybrid wind-solar may have a shading problem
Scientists in the Netherlands are seeking to assess how hybrid wind-solar projects may be impacted by the shade produced by the wind tower and wind turbine blades on the PV facility. According to them, the slow movement of the wind unit’s shadow can be easily incorporated into project design.
Nice Solar Energy files for insolvency under self-administration
The CIGS thin-film specialist employs 160 people in Germany. Business operations will continue with no disruption for the time being.
Italy’s next renewables auction may deliver even worse result
The poor outcome of Italy’s recent auctions for large scale solar suggests that the next tender will have similar results. pv magazine has spoken with two major experts from the Italian PV sector who claim that a change of pace is required, hinging on a streamlined authorization process, more competition and a focus on agricultural land.
Indium-free passivated solar cell with 22.4% efficiency
French research institute Liten has built the device with a new cell architecture that combines ultra-thin polycrystalline silicon layers with films of passivated transparent conductive oxide (TCO) contacts.
Mobile laboratory for PV module testing
MBJ Solutions and TÜV Rheinland have jointly developed PV TravelLab, which is purportedly the world’s first portable laboratory for PV module tests. It can be used to assess solar panels at any location in the world.
