U.S. startup offers solar kit for VIPV applications
Worksport, a U.S. technology company, has announced a protective cover for pickup trucks fitted with solar PV modules. The kit includes a battery and an inverter and is meant to be a portable power source for leisure activities, such as camping, or as a temporary backup to recharge electronics or small appliances during power outages.
Aerocompact releases new portrait mounting system
Austrian manufacturer Aerocompact has developed the SN2 Q PLUS solar mounting system, which can support PV modules measuring up to 1,310 mm x 2,500 mm. It has an installation angle of between 5 degrees and 10 degrees.
Improving silicon solar cell performance with aluminum-doped polysilicon passivating contacts
An international research group has developed a novel technique enabling the creation of contacts at low temperatures. The novel contact types are reportedly able to enhance cell efficiency by up to 3%.
Longi develops flexible heterojunction solar cell with 26.06% efficiency
The Chinese module manufacturer led an international research team seeking silicon material savings and efficiency gains in the development of heterojunction PV devices. The cell achieved a certified power conversion efficiency of 26.06% with a thickness of 57 μm, with Germany’s Institute for Solar Energy Research confirming the result.
EDF to develop 3 GWh pumped hydro project in Australia
The Australian arm of French energy giant EDF Group has acquired and agreed to co-develop the proposed 300 MW/3 GWh Dungowan pumped hydro energy storage project in New South Wales, Australia.
New design for photovoltaic-thermal panels mitigates risk of cracking
Researchers in Sweden have developed a new PVT module using an aluminum alloy structure between the thermal absorber and the photovoltac cells. This architecture reportedly reduces thermal expansion by 20%, thus increasing the chances of mitigating cracks in the PV unit.
Global atlas for pumped hydro at mining sites
The researchers that created the atlas considered mining pits, pit lakes and tailings ponds within mining sites and located nearby reservoirs. The selected sites have a potential storage capacity of 30 TWh.
Energy Vault starts building green hydrogen storage project
Energy Vault has begun construction on a 293 MWh green hydrogen and battery storage facility within utility Pacific Gas & Electric’s service territory in northern California.
Trina Solar unit releases new version of Vanguard 1P solar tracker
TrinaTracker, a division of China’s Trina Solar, says its new Vanguard 1P tracker system has a maximum length of 140 meters and can be equipped with N-type modules.
Spain announces €750 million incentive scheme for clean-tech manufacturing
Spain’s government has submitted a new incentive scheme to a public consultation. It is designed to support the development of a clean-tech supply chain in the country, including the production of batteries.
