PV-driven drip irrigation system with compressed air storage
The proposed system uses compressed air to store energy, as well as for the prevention of clogging in the irrigation tubes. Two experimental systems were built and tested in China and clogging was reduced by up to 93%.
New coating prevents plant growth on underwater solar cells
The US Navy has funded Danish research on preventing biofouling while maintaining visible light transmission on underwater solar cells. The top solution uses ultra-low concentrations of nano-sized, seawater-soluble pigments. Power generation stayed close to 100% after 13 weeks underwater.
New residential storage system from Germany with 12,000 charging cycles
German manufacturer EKD says its new Ampere.StoragePro E3 battery uses lithium-iron phosphate cells and can be cascaded to reach up to 231 kWh.
EUPD Research expects 11 GWh of home storage to be added in Europe in 2024
According to the Bonn-based analysts, the momentum for home battery storage systems with a capacity of up to 20 kWh is driven by emerging markets such as Poland and Hungary. In Germany, however, they expect a 5% drop in new installations compared to the previous year.
New process to recover silver from end-of-life solar cells achieves 98% efficiency
Scientists have used hydrometallurgical and electrochemical processes to recover pure silver from solar cells. The proposed technique also utilizes a method known as electrodeposition-redox replacement, which reportedly increases the silver recovery rate.
Uzbekistan set for large solar-plus-battery system
ACWA Power plans to build a 500 MW solar plant and a 500 MWh battery energy storage system in Uzbekistan under a project proposed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Nanoparticles, phase-change materials in PVT systems
Scientists have used varying levels of Al₂O₃ and ZnO paraffin wax to improve the electrical and thermal performance of a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) system. They have also developed a prediction model for this specific combination of hybrid nano-phase change materials.
Novel blockchain-based virtual utility for P2P PV trading
Researchers from Canada’s Western University have developed an open-source, blockchain-based virtual utility for peer-to-peer (P2P) solar trading, using smart contracts to save up to $1,600 (US dollars) for 10 homes in simulated scenarios.
How much shade is enough?
Researchers have covered part of a rooftop solar plant with a different numbers of shading cloth layers to measure their power, current, and voltage. They have been able to identify a point after which the value of system current and maximum power is no longer sensitive to shading heaviness.
EDF Renewables wins tender for largest PV plant in Israel
EDF Renewables says it has won a tender to build and operate Israel’s largest PV plant, a 300 MW project near Dimona, with a bid under $0.019/kWh – the lowest price ever in the Israeli market.
