Damaging defects in silicon solar cells
Scientists in the UK investigated the relationship between two of the most worrisome defects that can affect solar cells in the field – cracking and hotspots. Their work analyzed solar cells with different levels of cracking under varying light conditions, finding that the most severely cracked cells were considerably more likely to run at high temperatures and form damaging hotspots.
Australian startup SunDrive fabricates its first full-sized panel
Sydney-based startup SunDrive has given itself an early Christmas present in the form of the fabrication of its first full-sized panel. This panel marks the most recent milestone on the road to commercialization for SunDrive, which set a new world record for commercial-sized silicon solar cell efficiency in September.
SolarEdge, Growatt found in breach of Swedish electromagnetic rules, some products banned from sale
The Swedish Electrical Safety Agency has ruled that some SolarEdge optimizers and one string inverter from Growatt do not meet its electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements – halting their sale in the country. SolarEdge expressed surprise at the banning and claims that the complaints filed with the Electrical Safety Agency came from a handful of amateur radio operators.
Irish government approves net metering, rebate scheme for solar and renewables
Through the scheme, the Irish government intends to allocate around 380 MW of solar power. Projects of up to 50 kW will be entitled to participate and installations not exceeding 6 kW in size will be given a maximum rebate of €2,400.
Low-light dye sensitized solar cells for connected devices
Ambient Photonics has developed solar cells that can be used by internet-of-things (IoT) and smart home device companies. It is working to secure funds from the U.S. government to build a factory in the United States.
Poland allocates 870 MW of solar in renewables auctions, lowest bid for PV was $0.05078/kWh
The Polish energy regulator has allocated 570 MW of PV capacity in a procurement exercise for projects exceeding 1 MW in size and around 300 MW in an auction for projects with capacities of up to 1 MW.
Lockheed Martin to provide flow battery for 103MW solar-storage project in Canada
The Saddlebrook Solar + Storage Project will be a 102.5 MW installation, paired with 6.5 MW/52 MWh of Lockheed Martin’s GridStar Flow battery technology. It will be the largest flow battery energy storage facility in Alberta.
Hungary allocates 183 MW of solar in third renewables auction, average price for utility-scale projects at $0.049/kWh
The auction has been significantly oversubscribed and has seen 57 successful projects among 183 submitted. Around 299 GWh of power was contracted and will be provided exclusively by PV projects.
Toshiba claims 8.4% efficiency for transparent cuprous oxide solar cell
The record efficiency was achieved by engineering the cell with reduced copper(II) oxide (CuO) and copper (Cu) impurities in the thin-film deposition. It showed an open-circuit voltage of 1.13 V, a short-circuit current of 10.63 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 0.696.
Three strategic M&A transactions announced in the US
Through three different transactions, AES acquired Community Energy Solar, Stem Inc bought AlsoEnergy, and Enphase took over 365 Pronto.
