Surplus PV for electric delivery vehicles
Scientists in Japan have developed a model that predicts surplus PV generation and creates a route for optimized charging of electric delivery vehicles. They defined their work as a “practical blueprint for logistics operators.”
Map shows 43% of Iran’s land unsuitable for PV-powered water pumps
Scientists used geographic information systems and analytical hierarchy process methods to identify Iran’s most suitable areas for PV water pumping systems. They found 43.2% of land unsuitable, with Ardabil province the most favorable.
PV-thermal energy with heat pumps, aquifer thermal storage in buildings
Researchers in the Netherlands have simulated a residential energy system combining PV, solar thermal, and PV-thermal panels with aquifer thermal energy storage and a heat pump, achieving a seasonal coefficient of performance of seven across five buildings.
Using Sudoku to improve power yield in PV systems under partial shading
Indian researchers have developed a Sudoku-based technique to reduce power losses in PV systems operating under partial shading. They claim the method increases energy efficiency and revenue generation more than conventional reconfiguration techniques.
Gallium arsenide solar cells radiation-resilient for space applications
A group led by Cambridge University has developed an adhesive-free method of bonding ultra-thin gallium arsenide solar cells to borosilicate glass. The proposed technique is reportedly compatible with standard planar device processing.
Solitek launches anti-glare black bifacial solar modules
Lithuania’s Solitek has launched full-black 425 W bifacial solar modules with matte, satin-textured glass for glare-sensitive sites such as airports, road barriers, and buildings.
High-temperature co-annealing step could cut TOPCon cell costs
Researchers at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have proposed combining the two high-temperature steps used in producing tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cells into a single co-annealing process. Initial results show promising outcomes in boron concentration, passivation quality, and contact resistivity.
Novel switched capacitor boosting inverter for PV usage
Researchers have designed a new switched-capacitor-based multilevel inverter topology with nine switches. They have tested it in simulations and in hardware-in-the-loop tests. Efficiency reached up to 96.5%.
Improving vertical PV performance with adjustable reflectors
Researchers in Taiwan have developed an adjustable aluminum reflector system that boosts the performance of vertically mounted bifacial solar modules. The prototype delivered a 71.32% total power gain over a baseline system without reflectors.
Parameter analysis of 842 bifacial solar modules from 236 manufacturers
An international research team has conducted an extensive overview of bifacial solar modules from 39 countries. Their analysis took into account the best of the median values indicated in the product specifications and found that heterojunction and back-contact panels provide the best parameters.
