Storing solar power by incinerating metals
Scientists in Sweden have proposed the use of excess wind and solar power to incinerate metals such as aluminum and iron, in order to produce heat that could be used to generate electricity or hydrogen.
Lithium-air battery with solid electrolyte
US researchers have developed a new lithium-air battery with solid electrolyte and the potential to reach a record energy density that is nearly four times that of lithium-ion batteries. The test cell demonstrated stability over 1,000 charge and discharge cycles.
Scratching the surface of silicon in tandem solar cells
German scientists have investigated the role of surface texturing in perovskite-silicon tandem cells and have found that several new processes offer the ability to etch smaller, more uniform textures onto the surface of a silicon cell than today’s industry standard. This could help to ease the subsequent growth of a perovskite cell on top of the silicon, enabling researchers and manufacturers to target higher performance.
Machine learning predicts residential power yield of large PV system fleets
Dutch scientists have developed a PV forecasting method that uses the XGBoost algorithm. They claim their approach predicts electricity generation levels an hour ahead for big fleets of residential solar arrays.
Ethylenediamine increases efficiency of inverted perovskite solar cell by 22%
Scientists in Germany have raised the efficiency of an inverted perovskite solar cell from 15.9% to 20.1% by using a mixed solvent vapor annealing method based on ethylenediamine (EDA).
Pumped hydro key to meeting storage demand
Pumped hydro energy storage can be readily scaled to any required storage capacity at a known and affordable cost.
Perovskite-CIGS tandem solar cell design promises 29.7% efficiency
A numerical study by researchers at India’s Chitkara University shows enhanced performance in the top device of a tandem solar cell based on copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS). The design had a higher open-circuit voltage, with the top cell acting as a current-limiting cell.
Risen claims 23.89% efficiency with heterojunction solar modules
TÜV Sud has confirmed that the maximum power of Risen Energy’s heterojunction PV module series is 741.4 W.
Storing heat in blocks made of aluminum, graphite
Shell has provided Australian startup MGA Thermal with “game-changer” funding to accelerate the completion of a commercial-scale pilot storage plant.
Custom-made 3D printed solid-state batteries
US-based Sakuu has announced that it has successfully 3D printed solid-state batteries in custom shapes and sizes at its battery pilot line facility in Silicon Valley, California.
