German research institute unveils 99.74% efficient power electronics for solid-fuel heat pumps
Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics (IAF) has developed an ultra-efficient circuit topology for voltage converters with an electrical efficiency of 99.74%. The tech could considerably raise the coefficient of performance for electrocaloric heat pumps and the scientists are now considering components based on semiconductor gallium nitride (GaN) for higher power density and efficiency.
Germany deployed 6.26 GW of solar in H1
Germany installed more than 1 GW of new PV systems in June alone. Its cumulative installed PV capacity hit 73.8 GW at the end of the first half of this year.
Solar production drops as rare summer storm lashes Netherlands
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, presents the solar irradiance data it collected for northern Europe in the first week of July. The data show that an unseasonal storm created by a strong low pressure system moving across from England into the North Sea had a strong impact on solar power generation in the Netherlands and Denmark.
Tesla adds ‘Charge on Solar’ feature to Powerwall batteries
Tesla owners can select a feature in an app to set their Powerwall batteries to solely charge their vehicles on excess stored PV capacity.
Luxembourg launches second tender for C&I solar
Luxembourg has kicked off its second tender for C&I solar projects ranging in size from 30 kW to 5 MW. It is offering rebates of up to €745 ($835) per kilowatt installed and up to 55% of the total cost of buying and installing systems.
Experimental photovoltaic-thermal system based on zirconium oxide nanofluid
An international research group has designed a new photovoltaic-thermal module configuration that uses zirconium oxide as a cooling agent. The system is reportedly more efficient than water-cooled counterparts in reducing its operating temperature.
Australian startup unveils new wall-mounted residential EV chargers
Evos, an Australian startup specializing in electric-vehicle charging technology, has unveiled its first home chargers. The 7 kW wall-mounted devices are designed to add driving range to EVs for every hour they are plugged in.
Photovoltaic Trombe wall system to provide heating, electricity
Researchers in the Middle East have developed a new design for energy systems combining PV power generation with Trombe walls in buildings. They claim their new system configuration with reflective mirrors offers improved overall system efficiency both in terms of heating and electricity production.
Brazil announces 2 GW solar plan for social housing program
Brazil has announced a new 2 GW solar strategy. It plans to build 2 million new social housing units by 2026 and will deploy two PV modules in each home, providing 1 kW of power per dwelling.
Fire hits industrial building, PV system in Switzerland
A fire hit an industrial building and its PV system in Switzerland earlier this month, but the cause of the blaze remains unclear.
