CIGS module manufacturer announces switch to perovskite
US-based Ascent Solar said its factory for copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film PV modules is now dedicated to the industrial commercialization of its perovskite solar tech, which is reportedly showing lab efficiencies above 20%.
German manufacturer opens heat pump factory in Slovakia
Vaillant has revealed that it has opened a new heat pump factory in Slovakia. The facility will exclusively make heat pumps from May, with an expected annual output of 300,000 units.
Optimizing off-grid PV systems for different design criteria
A new report by IEA PVPS Task 18 provides a blueprint guide on how to conduct feasibility studies for off-grid and edge-of-grid power systems. The optimal system size and specifications vary depending on the client’s priorities. The desired project outcomes can be identified using pure financial analysis (NPV, IRR) or additionally taking environmental performance into account.
Ocean Sun and Inseanergy settle floating solar patent dispute
Floating solar specialists Ocean Sun and Inseanergy have been involved in a patent dispute over Ocean Sun’s floating solar structure since August 2022. The companies have now announced a settlement, with a “positive result” for both parties.
Kenya to combat rural energy access gap with over 130 solar minigrids
Kenya’s government plans to build 137 solar minigrids across remote locations in the East African country. The project received $150 million in funding from the World Bank.
New propane heat pump for space, water heating
Italy-based Rhoss has developed a cascaded air-source heat pump that uses propane (R290) as the refrigerant. It can produce between 47.4 kW and 190.5 kW of heat and domestic hot water to a temperature of up to 75 C.
Saltwater flow battery for water desalination applications
Infinity Turbine has developed a new system that uses the electricity stored in a saltwater redox flow battery to produce clean drinking water from seawater. It said the technology can be used by cruise ships and cargo ships.
Agrivoltaics market valued at $9.3 billion
The global agrivoltaics market is pegged at a 10.1% annual growth rate, according to a research note by Allied Analytics.
Nine-year old US solar farm gets tracker upgrade
A lot has changed in tracker technology in the past decade, so in upgrading its Alamo plants, OCI Solar Power completely replaced the old tracker with a new state-of-the-art system, all while keeping the plant energized.
Irish provider showcases air-to-air heat pump for commercial applications
Trane has released a rooftop air-to-air heat pump that can produce between 14.5 kW and 37.4 kW of heat and between 16.5 kW and 38.4 kW of cooling. The new device can purportedly be adapted to cold-climate applications by adding complementary heating sources such as electric heaters or hot water coils.
