New direct lightning protection design for east-west rooftop PV systems
Scientists in the Emirates have developed a novel lightning mast layout that reportedly eliminates shading effect on PV panels. The proposed approach also addresses earth grid requirements under varying moisture conditions.
Direct vs. indirect coupling in PV-driven hydrogen generation
Researchers in Spain have made a comparative analysis of annual PV-powered hydrogen production for direct and indirect configurations and have found that indirect systems not only produce more hydrogen but also that they show higher resilience to module power losses.
PV module cooling tech based on single-channel containing nanofluids
Scientists in Mexico have conceived a new solar module cooling tech that can reportedly improve PV power generation by up to 2%. The system uses nanofluids embedded in an aluminum single-channel attached to the back of the panel.
Novel bifacial flexible PV cell offers 27% efficiency
Scientists have simulated dozens of electron transport layer-free cell structures and have identified the optimal design with a Zr:In2O3 front transparent electrode, a CuSCN hole transport layer, and a NAN rear transparent electrode. They have also optimized its thickness and bandgap.
Getting lightweight, flexible, semi-transparent PV from lab to fab
German research group Helmholtz Association hopes to speed up the adoption of flexible printed solar PV technologies by transferring advances in the lab to industry through its growing Solar TAP initiative.
Researchers use artificial neural networks to optimize PV tilt angles
Scientists have tested several machine-learning algorithms to predict the optimal tilt angle (OTA) of solar projects in 37 Indian cities, leading to improvements of up to 90%.
PV module fault detection tech based on deep learning of electroluminescence
The novel technique is based on the VarifocalNet deep-learning object detection framework, which was reportedly tweaked to achieve quicker and more accurate results. Compared to other such methods, the new approach was found to be the most accurate and third quickest.
Monolithic perovskite-organic tandem solar cell achieves 24.27% efficiency
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have developed a monolithic perovskite-organic tandem solar cell with a wide-bandgap subcell that reportedly provides “remarkable” stability. The tandem device achieved one of the highest efficiencies ever reported for this type of solar cell technology.
PV systems can now support grid as fossil fuels decline, says IEA-PVPS
A new report by the International Energy Agency’s Photovoltaics Power Systems Programme (IEA-PVPS) says that existing PV systems have the technical capabilities to provide various frequency-related grid services.
Alight, Svea Solar sign agreements with Sveaskog for 2 GW of solar in Sweden
Sveaskog, Sweden’s largest landowner, is teaming up with solar companies Alight and Svea Solar to develop 2 GW of new solar capacity. The first two projects under the agreement are already underway.
