Research

Researchers in Canada have proposed using gravity-based energy storage in high-rise buildings, in combination with photovoltaic facades, small wind turbines, and lithium-ion batteries. Their modeling indicated that this hybrid system could achieve a levelized cost of energy ranging from $0.051/kWh to $0.111/kWh.

Scientists in the United Kingdom have developed a new web-inspired concept for floating PV farms, modeled after spider webs. The system is said to be particularly suitable for spiral and radial configurations, as well as for deployment between offshore wind farms.

New research reopens the question around magnesium-based battery viability at room temperatures.

In a new perspective paper, researchers from Dresden University of Technology and Denmark’s InfinityPV analyzed scientific research and more than 100 companies involved in organic PV and perovskite solar cell manufacturing. Their findings show that the commercialization of these technologies depends on the PV industry’s ability to increase financial transparency.

Developed by an international research team, the cell features a cadmium sulfide electron transport layer produced using a novel ozone-doping strategy. This treatment enhances material purity and stability while widening the energy bandgap of cadmium sulfide.

Researchers in China have developed a dust monitoring technique that relies solely on the existing hardware resources of inverters, without requiring extra sensors or meteorological data. Tests on real rooftop PV arrays demonstrated an accuracy exceeding 96%.”

The single-phase system delivers an output ranging from 3,680 W to 10,000 W and offers a storage capacity between 4.992 kWh and 19.968 kWh. The new product is based on LFP batteries.

Researchers in Germany have examined how battery storage could help façade PV systems move beyond their niche market by 2030. Their findings show that a large majority of south-oriented façades in Europe could be equipped with vertical solar arrays combined with batteries.

Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have published a review that looks at polycarbonate sheets as an alternative to solar cover glass. Their findings indicate that this new materials have a combination of low weight, mechanical strength, optical transparency, and thermal resistance that is worthy of further investigation.

Scientists in Spain have developed an amorphous-silicon solar cell that could be used in both transparent photovoltaics and tandem applications. The device reportedly achieves notable efficiency levels and may offer an alternative to transparent organic photovoltaics.