ClearVue next-gen ‘solar window’ powers through mass production run
Australia’s ClearVue Technologies says it has confirmed the scalability and “commercial viability” of its second-generation integrated glazing units, following a mass production run using a standard manufacturing line at a factory in China.
Selenium solar cell built with laser-annealing achieves record fill factor of 63.7%
Built by Danish researchers, the device also achieved a power conversion efficiency of 5.0%. They designed the cell with a soda-lime glass substrate, a tin oxide (FTO) layer, an electron transport layer made of titanium oxide (TiO2), a selenium absorber, a molybdenum oxide (MoOx) layer, and a gold (Au) metal contact.
Integrated PVT–air source heat pump for deployment in limited space
South Korean scientists built an air source heat pump integrated with a photovoltaic thermal unit that can reportedly achieve an average heating and cooling coefficient of performance (COP) of 3.54 and 3.31, respectively. The system is also claimed to be 44% cheaper than ground source heat pumps combined with PVT energy.
Yaskawa Solectria Solar introduces 175-250 kW utility-scale string inverters
Yaskawa Solectria Solar has developed new utility-scale string inverters with capacities ranging from 175 kW to 250 kW. They are optimized for use with First Solar modules and qualify for the US domestic content bonus tax credit.
Solar for water deionization
Scientists in Canada have combined PV power generation with water purification based on capacitive deionization (CDI), which is claimed to have low operational cost, enhanced energy efficiency, and less water rejection than conventional purification techniques. The solar-powered system prototype is able to produce more water than a conventional CDI system on a sunny day.
Daikin presents mid-temperature refrigerant split heat pump
The new product can reportedly provide a leaving water temperature of up to 65 C. It is available in three versions with outputs of 8 kW, 10 kW, and 12 kW, respectively.
Kstar launches all-in-one lithium-titanate batteries for residential applications
The new batteries reportedly provide steady operation for up to 16,000 charge cycles. It has a storage capacity of 5.4 kWh and a depth of discharge of 90%.
US August irradiance: Sunshine before the storm in the South
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that Tropical Storm Hillary and its associated cloud systems led to significantly lower irradiance than usual for August, in a broad area from Baja, through Southern California, and along the Rockies to British Columbia.
China polysilicon prices rise for the eighth consecutive 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.
Fraunhofer ISE helping Holosolis to build Europe’s largest solar factory
Fraunhofer ISE is helping Holosolis to build Europe’s largest PV factory – a 5 GW solar plant in France – by 2025. The German research institute is providing support in technology selection and factory planning.
