Ultrathin perovskite solar cell based on Gires-Tournois resonator
Scientists in China have conceived a perovskite solar cell that uses a back mirror based on silver to improve light harvesting. The device could reportedly achieved a power conversion efficiency of over 27%.
New research finds utility-scale solar parks foster biodiversity
A series of longitudinal studies of three solar-pollinator sites in Minnesota have demonstrated evidence of native prairie growing under solar panels, providing both soil benefits and habitat for wildlife and pollinators.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: January-October solar additions hit 181.3 GW
China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) says developers installed 181.3 GW of new PV capacity from January to October 2024, including 20.42 GW in October alone.
Startup to build wood solar canopies for collective energy in France
BoucL Énergie says it will install wooden-framed parking canopies in southern France, as part of a future collective self-consumption plan.
JA Solar plans 2 GW solar cell, module factory in Egypt
Chinese manufacturer JA Solar has agreed to build a 2 GW solar cell and module factory in Egypt with support from UAE-based Global South Utilities.
First major winter snowfall brings weekend solar generation dip
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that solar production across much of Europe is expected to dip over the weekend as a significant low-pressure system draws polar air across the continent, bringing the first large widespread snowfall of the season.
Funding secured for 237.6 MW merchant solar plant in Bulgaria
Up to €103 million ($107.2 million), from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Raiffeisen Bank International, will support the development of a fully-merchant, 237.6 MW solar project in southeastern Bulgaria.
Italy approves 6 GW of utility-scale solar in first 10 months of 2024
Italy’s regional governments approved 6 GW of utility-scale solar projects between January and October 2024, according to updates from Terna’s Econnextion map. Most of these projects are concentrated in Sicily, Lazio, Puglia, Sardinia, and Basilicata.
Brazil’s largest microgrid goes online
Brazil’s largest microgrid has gone online at the State University of Campinas (Unicamp). The CampusGrid project combines a 565 kW solar system with a 1 MW high-capacity battery energy storage system (BESS).
Agrivoltaics can improve water conservation in Africa
Research led by the University of Sheffield installed an off-grid agrivoltaic system in Tanzania and a grid-tied agrivoltaic system in Kenya. They found the installations helped boost crop yield and conserve water while generating electricity at a lower cost than the national grid.
