Chinese scientists build 18%-efficient organic solar cells with enhanced stability
Chinese researchers have demonstrated organic solar cells with novel encapsulation and a protective interfacial layer for enhanced stability and efficiency. The best performing cell based on the new approach retained 94% of its initial power conversion efficiency after standards-based damp heat testing for 1,032 hours damp heat and across 200 thermal cycles.
World’s largest foldable rooftop PV system comes online in Switzerland
A wastewater treatment plant in the canton of Bern has been inaugurated with what dhp Technology claims is the world’s largest foldable rooftop solar installation to date. The 3.6 MW array spans several treatment basins, allowing the existing site to serve dual purposes: wastewater treatment at ground level and solar power generation overhead.
Hydro approves largest pumped hydro project in more than 20 years in Norway
Norsk Hydro will invest about $110 million after tax to build the Illvatn pumped hydro plant in western Norway.
Germany’s January-October solar additions reach 13 GW
The Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) says Germany’s installation pace reflects shifting demand patterns between ground-mounted and rooftop PV systems.
Sodium-ion battery storage for ultra-low temperatures
U.S. researchers have developed a sodium-ion pouch cell that operates reliably at temperatures as low as –100 C. The battery was tested with simulated and real renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, and maintained stable performance in both laboratory and field conditions.
A late but decisive move to ESS: LONGi takes majority control of PotisEdge
China’s largest solar manufacturer seeks to escape shrinking margins by securing 62% voting control of a fast-rising storage integrator.
German solar plant cleared to provide secondary control reserve
Sunnic Lighthouse says Germany’s first prequalified solar project for secondary control reserve shows how quickly PV assets can move into advanced grid-services markets.
Reducing PV module temperature with twisted tape
Researchers in Iran have investigated how twisted tape in water-cooled channels can enhance heat transfer in solar modules. They have used a computer simulation to analyze the new approach with different parameters and have found the panels’ ectrical efficiency increased by up to 11.84%.
In Puerto Rico, residential solar and storage growth outpaces utility-scale developments
Puerto Rico has reached 1.3 GW of residential solar and 185,000 residential batteries, with Wood Mackenzie expecting three more GWh of residential storage by 2029. Utility-scale solar and storage projects are gearing up, as described by an attorney with McConnell Valdés.
Nanostructured antireflective coating for gallium arsenide solar cells
A Spanish research team demonstrated a broadband antireflective coating for gallium arsenide solar cells. Based on thermally oxidized gallium nanoparticles, the nanostructured coating reduced reflectance by 30% across the solar spectrum, and increased solar cell performance by 10%.
