Study shows symbiotic effect of heat pumps and residential solar
SolarPower Europe says in a new report that households in Germany, Spain, and Italy can more than triple their savings by pairing PV with heat pumps. It said this combination helped families to save between 62% and 84% on their annual energy bills in 2022.
Semi-transparent organic photovoltaics for greenhouse applications
Scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), have used an antioxidant known as L-glutathione as an interlayer in an organic PV cell to prevent other materials from oxidizing. The cell has an efficiency of 13.5% and an average visible transmittance of 21.5%. The researchers said it is suitable for applications in solar greenhouses.
India Ratings maintains stable outlook for solar projects
India Ratings and Research says solar projects continue to operate in a stable manner, with adequate debt service coverage and comfortable internal liquidity. The fall in module prices over the six months to February 2023 is positive for under-construction projects, it claimed.
EU wants European PV sector to make 40% of required components by 2030
The European Union is working on a draft proposal, which pv magazine has seen, that would require 85% of the components used in European wind farms – along with 60% of heat pumps, 85% of batteries, and 85% of electrolyzers – to be manufactured on the continent.
Philippines launches tender for 25 MW solar plant
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) of the Philippines is seeking proposals for the lease of a 37-hectare area for solar deployment in Tarlac province.
French developer to assess impact of solar panels on outdoor poultry farm
Technique Solaire plans to analyze animal behavior in outdoor poultry farms covered with solar panels linked by nets. The setup could be potentially beneficial for the birds and the quality of their meat.
Solar for cobalt sulfate production
Yuma County, Arizona, has approved a solar-powered cobalt sulfate production facility. It will produce 7,000 tons of cobalt per year, powered by 28.4 MW of on-site solar capacity.
Israel authorizes bilateral PPAs
Israel’s new rules for power purchase agreements (PPA) are expected to spur development, especially in the solar sector.
Fraunhofer ISE, Viessmann develop multi-source residential heat pump
Fraunhofer ISE has presented the results of retrofit heat pump installations in multi-family homes in Germany. One demonstrator featured rooftop solar PV and a multi-source heat pump developed in partnership with Viessmann. It uses air and geothermal as heat sources.
Solar, storage system for water treatment in Malawi
RIC Energy has built a 1.3 MW PV array and a 4.5 MWh battery system for two water treatment plants and five water pumping stations in Malawi. The hybrid system will treat enough water to supply more than 200,000 people.
