Recent ‘auction success’ in Ireland, UK comes with challenges, consultants say
Almost 2 GW of solar was tendered in the latest UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero auction, while almost 500 MW was recently awarded in the latest auction round spearheaded by Irish power transmission operator EirGrid. But these gains come with five challenges, according to analysts from New Zealand-based consultancy firm PSC.
Thin-film solar is the future of agrivoltaics
In contrast with traditional panels, thin-film solar modules are much more adaptable to these agricultural situations, thanks to their flexible, lightweight design.
Fraunhofer ISE develops faster laser system for wafer processing
High throughput and high precision can help reduce solar cell production costs. A research group at Fraunhofer ISE has made progress with a laser system to process wafers for metallization. The system reportedly works 10 to 20 times faster.
Waaree Energies to build 5 GW solar cell, module factory in US
India’s Waaree Energies says it will build a solar module manufacturing facility with an initial capacity of 3 GW per year by December 2024. It plans to ramp up to an integrated 5 GW cell facility by 2027 and has already secured an offtake contract with SB Energy.
ISC Konstanz claims 24% efficiency for tunnel back contact solar cell
ISC Konstanz researchers say their new n-type tunnel back contact (TBC) solar cell features polycrystalline silicon TOPCon contacts on both polarities. The results still need to be confirmed by an independent third party.
India’s solar module exports hit $1.1 billion in April-October period
India’s solar module exports surpassed $1.1 billion in value in the April-October period of the current 2023-24 fiscal year.
Singaporean startup unveils high intensity illumination tech that ‘rejuvenates’ solar panels
NTU Singapore researchers and startup EtaVolt presented a high intensity illumination device that can reportedly “patch up” the holes caused by light and heat in silicon solar cells. The new technique is claimed to reduce solar module degradation by up to 5 years and to be usable for around 90% of the solar modules available in the market.
Researchers discover new factor in perovskite solar cell stability
Georgia Tech researchers have discovered that isolated water or oxygen exposure does not degrade cells, as it is the interplay of the molecules that causes rapid degradation.
Heat over delayed EU heat pump plan
The European Commission’s decision to deliver its hotly anticipated Heat Pump Action Plan late next year instead of this month is a “mistake” that will impact the sector and €7 billion ($7.6 billion) worth of investments, the European Heap Pump Association’s (EHPA) secretary general Thomas Nowak says in a statement.
Longi announces 27.09% efficiency for heterojunction back contact solar cell
Longi has announced the achievement of 27.09% efficiency for its heterojunction back contact (HBC) solar cell, a result that has been confirmed by Germany’s Institute for Solar Energy Research (ISFH).
