photovoltaics

Japan’s Panasonic has developed an air-source heat pump that uses propane (R290) as the refrigerant. It can produce between 5 kW and 9 kW of heat, as well as domestic hot water up to a temperature of 75 C. It says the heat pump can be paired with rooftop solar to maximize self-consumption. The new Aquarea series also includes a heat pump with R32 as the refrigerant.

The world installed 239 GW of new solar capacity in 2022, according to SolarPower Europe. The rooftop PV segment accounted for 49.5% of additions – the highest share in the past three years. The rooftop sectors in Brazil, Italy, and Spain grew by 193%, 127%, and 105%, respectively.

Thrace Group has developed a reflective, permeable membrane made of polypropylene resins and coated with a thin white layer that reflects ultraviolet (UV) rays. It claims that the membrane increased the energy yield of a large-scale pilot installation by 4.5%.

SolarEdge has released new optimizers for residential PV applications with a DC power rating of 500 W, a maximum efficiency of 99.5%, and a weighted efficiency of 98.6%. The optimizer for commercial and industrial applications offers 1.4 kW of rated DC power.

The extent to which PV-powered vehicles contribute to a reduction of CO2 emissions depends on variables such as the carbon intensity of the local grid, driving patterns, and solar irradiation. The market introduction requires technical optimization of the PV, but also of the vehicles.

The German PV testing equipment provider said its new Sinus-3000 Pro line is an ‘all-in-one system’ that can perform power measurements, bypass diode testing, insulation testing, visual inspection, and electroluminescence measurements. It is also offering the Sinus-3000 Advanced line for the testing of perovskite-silicon tandem, multi-junction and other new material cells.

Recom is offering five versions of its new all-black panels, with power outputs ranging from 440 W to 460 W and efficiency ratings of 22.5% to 23.6%. They feature 108 half-cut monocrystalline cells with n-type and back-contact technology.

Punjab state in India has issued a tender for 1.2 GW of solar power, inviting potential bidders to establish grid-connected solar projects throughout the region.

Hurtigruten Norway. a cruise ship operator, said its new wind-solar-powered cruise vessel will be ready in 2030. It will have a storage capacity of 60 MWh.

Renac Power’s new all-in-one energy storage system for commercial and industrial (C&I) applications features a 110.6 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery system with a 50 kW inverter.