Solar tiles for roof coatings, shelters, facades
Italian startup EnergyGlass has developed a solar tile with 4 mm double-laminated safety glass. It is available in black, white and colored versions and has power outputs ranging from 120 W to 290 W. The tiles can be used to replace conventional roofs or they can be integrated into existing rooftops.
French consortium develops bio-based PV modules
Roctool, a French production equipment supplier, has teamed up with the CEA-Liten research institute to develop 300 mm x 300 mm solar modules based on recycled, bio-based materials via a novel manufacturing process. The first prototypes will be unveiled over the next few months.
Renewables system with 76% share of PV could halve Indian electricity costs by 2050
A new study by Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology and Wärtsilä explores the feasibility of a net-zero power system in India by 2050. It shows that an all-renewables system paired with flexible generation tech could improve the affordability of electricity, while ensuring the reliability of system operations.
SunPower buys US solar system provider for $165 million
The company said it will consider options for its Commercial & Industrial Solutions business including new ownership.
Vietnamese manufacturer unveils PV module for agrivoltaics
Vietnamese manufacturer Irex has announced a new glass-glass solar panel with a power output of 265 W and a power conversion efficiency of 18.1%.
French government confirms FIT of €0.098/kWh for PV systems up to 500 kW
PV project developers can secure France’s feed-in tariff without participating in tenders.
Emmvee sets up 3 GW solar cell and module factory in India
Planned to be located in Dobaspet, Karnataka, the manufacturing facility will be Emmvee’s second solar factory in the Indian State.
Ultrathin gallium-arsenide solar cell with light management architecture
Scientists led by Cambridge University fabricated an ‘ultrathin’ solar cell, just 80 nanometers thick, using gallium arsenide. The III-V cell achieved 9.08% conversion efficiency, and its developers have demonstrated in simulations that it could reach 16% with further optimization. Given its light weight and intrinsic resistance to radiation, the cell could be suitable to power satellites and other applications in space.
Indian manufacturer unveils 375-410 W half-cut modules with 20.4% efficiency
Pixon Energy has launched mono PERC half-cut-cell modules with output capacities ranging from 375 Wp to 410 Wp. The five-busbar modules can be used in all types of PV installations, including off-grid, residential, commercial and industrial, and utility-scale projects.
Large-scale solar can cool nearby areas
An international team of scientists observed a cooling effect in a large radius around solar arrays. The cooling may have implications for local ecosystem management.
