New research shows laser-assisted firing improves TOPCon solar cell reliability
Chinese manufacturer Jolywood is currently applying a laser-assisted firing process in TOPCon solar cell manufacturing that can reportedly increase contact quality and corrosion resistance, while also reducing production costs. Scientists at the University of South Wales have investigated the impact of this production process on the quality of TOPCon cells and have found it “significantly” improve their reliability.
India surpasses 75 GW of installed solar capacity
India’s cumulative PV installations hit 75.58 GW at the end of February, according to the latest figures from the nation’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
Europe’s largest PV plant goes online
Hansainvest Real Assets has switched on Europe’s largest solar plant – a 605 MW installation in Saxony, Germany. The project spans 500 hectares and operates under a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Shell Energy Europe.
Livoltek releases all-in-one storage system for residential applications
Livoltek has developed an all-in-one storage system for residential applications, featuring a storage capacity of up to 25 kWh and compatibility with five different inverter models, as well as the option to integrate with electric-vehicle (EV) chargers.
Compressed air energy storage at a crossroads
Compressed air energy storage (CAES) is considered a mature form of deep storage due to its components being firmly “de-risked” but few projects are operating in the Western world. A project in the remote New South Wales town of Broken Hill promises to lead the way.
Key takeaways from SolarEX, Istanbul
Import duties and domestic incentives continue to shape the Turkish solar market. Despite protectionism, there was a significant Chinese presence at the SolarEX trade fair as new manufacturers rely on Asian resources.
Brazil’s January-March solar deployments hit 4 GW
Brazil’s cumulative installed PV capacity exceeded 41 GW at the end of March, with utility-scale plants accounting for 13 GW and distributed-generation resources representing 28 GW of the total.
Italian startup testing PV sleepers on railway line
Greenrail Group has started deploying special its PV railroad-tie solution along a railway line in Emilia Romagna, Italy. The company designed the system according to the UNI 10349 standard.
Micro photovoltaic drone achieves 3.5 min autonomy
The photovoltaic micro aerial vehicle has a footprint of 0.15 m x 0.15 m and a weight of only 0.071 kg. According to its creators, it is the smallest solar-rechargeable multi-rotor ever developed to date. It uses a 22.6%-efficient solar module technology from US-based Sunpower and a 0.3 Ah storage system based on lithium polymer batteries.
US states to conserve land, water with solar on canals
Three large projects in California, Utah, and Oregon will cover water reclamation facilities with solar panels, offering co-benefits for energy production and water conservation.
