PV-driven heat pump system for freshwater production, cooling, hot water
Scientists in India have combined a solar-assisted heat pump with a humidification-dehumidification and vapor compression refrigeration (HDH-VCR) cycle to generate heat and cooling. The system is reportedly able to generate up to 5.5 l per hour (LPH) of fresh water while achieving an ‘enhanced’ coefficient of performance.
How long do residential solar inverters last?
A range of different factors can affect the productive lifespan of residential solar inverters.
REC launches 470 W heterojunction solar panel with 22.6% efficiency
REC has developed a new series of heterojunction solar panels with efficiencies up to 22.6% and an operating temperature coefficient of -0.24% per degree Celsius.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Trina reveals new US factory plans
Trina Solar has revealed plans to build a new factory in Wilmer, Texas. It will source polysilicon from unspecified locations in Europe and the United States.
Hoymiles launches hybrid inverters for residential PV
Hoymiles has developed new hybrid inverters for residential PV applications. They have a nominal power range of 3.8 kW to 11.5 kW and an efficiency of 97.6%.
Ampt introduces 70 kW output solar string optimizer
The i50 optimizer supports the largest utility-scale solar projects.
Declining populations free up agricultural land for large amounts of solar in densely populated countries
In a new monthly column for pv magazine, the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) explains how much solar PV energy could be harvested from freed-up agricultural land in densely-populated countries with declining populations.
The importance of solar mini-grids in universalizing energy access
In its latest monthly column for pv magazine, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) explains how to expand the deployment of mini-grids for electricity access, especially in less developed countries.
Agrivoltaic facilities with single-axis trackers have lower LCOE than those with fixed structures
New research from Belgium shows agrivoltaic facilities with trackers perform significantly better than projects with fixed structures. The scientists found projects with tracking achieved an LCOE of €0.077 ($0.082)/kWh, while facilities with fixed structures were found to have an LCOE of €0.10/kWh.
Indian state of Karnataka plans 500 MW solar plant
Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. (KREDL) is seeking a consultant to assess the feasibility of a planned 500 MW solar park in the Indian state of Karnataka.
