How to find optimum PV placement in mountain regions
Switzerland’s WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) is investigating how solar yield can be optimized in snow-covered terrain. It is envisaged the results will help to place PV systems on mountains so they make use of light that is reflected from neighbouring slopes.
UK scientists build PV redox flow battery with 9.54% solar-to-chemical efficiency
The PV-driven redox flow battery can reportedly achieve a maximum solar-to-output electricity efficiency of 3.11% during a 36-hour period. The system incorporates a 25 cm2 heterojunction photovoltaic device and is based on a neutral pH aqueous iodine-bromine redox couple.
Albanian government approves 54 MW of solar projects
The government of Albania has permitted the development of two new solar plants with capacity of 30 MW and 24 MW, respectively.
Strategies for de-risking early-stage renewable energy projects
Over 70% to 90% of early-stage projects fail and are never constructed, according to findings reported by Paces.
Solar grazing supports healthier soil, food for sheep, says American Solar Grazing Association
Solar sheep grazing helps to create a beneficial dual-use environment, found American Solar Grazing Association in a two-year study conducted at 31 different solar sites.
Fraunhofer develops contactless method for measuring back-contact solar cells
Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have developed a contactless method to measure the performance of back-contact solar cells, enabling in-line assessment of key parameters such as efficiency, fill factor, and current-voltage characteristics.
Malaysia introduces rooftop solar aggregation scheme
Malaysia’s first rooftop aggregation initiative for solar systems is now live. The program allows homeowners to lease or rent their rooftop for solar generation, with the electricity produced sold to commercial and domestic customers within a 5 km radius.
Inverted perovskite solar cell based on ionic salt achieves 26% efficiency
An international team led by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has used ionic salt for the electron transport layer of a perovskite solar cell to improve device stability and performance. Test results showed a 26% power conversion efficiency with 2% degradation after 2,100 hours of 1-sun operation at 65 C.
Solargik unveils platform for AI-powered solar tracking, diagnostics, control
Solargik has announced the official debut of its SOma Pro AI-powered platform for solar tracking and system diagnostics. The company says one of its main advantages is the ability to support smarter, faster decision-making.
Solar technologies at crossroads
Experts set to speak at the NetZero Milan Expo-Summit 2025 on May 15 have told pv magazine that tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) will remain the dominant cell technology in the near term due to ongoing advancements, despite rising competition from back-contact and heterojunction technologies.
