Research shows heat pumps perform better than fossil fuel heating in mild cold climates
A British research group has aggregated information from seven field studies on heat pumps from around the world and has found air-source devices have an average coefficient of performance (COP) of 2.74 when temperatures are above −10 C. Below that, COP is between 1.5 and 2.
Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning unveils residential dual fuel heat pump system
Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning has developed a residential dual fuel heat pump system that combines an air source heat pump and a gas furnace. The manufacturer says the furnace is designed to ensure there is no compromise in heating performance, even when temperatures are extremely low.
Printable mesoscopic carbon perovskite solar cell achieves 17.13% efficiency
Scientists in China have built a tandem bifacial mesoscopic perovskite solar cell via a new passivation strategy. The cell achieved an improved power output and voltage, and the researchers said it offers potential applications in practical usage.
Photon, Toshiba building unsubsidized 120 MW solar fishery in Taiwan
A Toshiba-led consortium has secured a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) for a 120 MW solar fishery project in Taiwan. Completion is scheduled by the end of 2024.
China polysilicon prices extend gains for tenth successive week
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
Indian government says PV module capacity to hit 100 GW by 2026
India now has 28 GW of solar module manufacturing capacity and 6 GW of cell capacity, according to Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, secretary of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE).
Hybridizing wind with PV may raise value of wind assets by up to 5%
Research from Portugal has looked into adding utility scale PV capacity to wind plants across the country and found the hybridization can significantly increase their market value. The scientists also identified the most critical parameters for forecasting energy generation in hybrid wind-solar plants.
DC isolators trigger sharp increase in solar fires in Australia
Data shows a sharp increase in the number of fires caused by the DC isolators that separate the grid from solar panels. ABC News gathered state-by-state data revealing a dramatic increase in fire incidents in the last 12 months.
August impacts on Asia’s solar production
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that Southern India was the standout in terms of unusual irradiance in Asia in August, with 40% more than the month’s average. This brought the average irradiance up to 6 kWh per day.
Dubai’s 250 MW/1,500 MWh pumped-storage project nearing completion
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA) Hatta pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant is now 74% complete, and it is expected to begin operations in the first half of 2025. The facility will also store electricity from the 5 GW Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
