Becquerel Institute’s Data Hub aims to plug solar PV ‘information gap’
Consultancy firm, the Becquerel Institute, recently switched on its European Solar PV Data Hub, an online tool aiming to provide clear information about the solar PV industry. The organization’s COO, Philippe Macé, told pv magazine that the platform aims to provide users a way to access solar PV market data ‘easily,’ its other purpose is to shrink the industry’s ‘information gap.’
French startup raises funds to build 100 MW factory for ultralight solar modules
Heliup has raised €10 million ($10.5 million) to finance the construction of a PV panel manufacturing facility at an unspecified location in France.
Philippines’ first canal-top solar irrigation projects go online
Philippine government’s National Irrigation Administration revealed that two canal-top solar arrays for irrigation purposes were recently commissioned. It also said that 147 solar-powered irrigation projects in the country will be delivered by the end of the year, with 183 in the pipeline for 2024.
Solar cell prices are expected to hit fresh record lows following China’s Golden Week
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
Yemen kicks off solar tender
The Yemeni government and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) are now accepting proposals from developers for four solar projects, ranging from street lighting to a 300 kW array.
Novel thin-film anti-soiling coating increases solar module yield by over 3%
A group of scientists in the United States saw ‘encouraging’ results after testing the commercialization of novel coating materials in field tests, with the coating only increasing a panel’s total cost by 1.4%.
Perovskite quantum dot solar cells on the path to achieve 30% efficiency
Researchers in Iran have identified new ways to design perovskite quantum dot solar cells via a series of simulations. They investigated, in particular, how the perovskite absorbers can be gauged in order to enhance their electro-optical properties.
Mauritius seeks consultants for 30 MW floating solar plant
The Mauritian government’s Central Electricity Board (CEB) is inviting consultancy firms to pitch their bids on conducting a feasibility study into developing a 30 MW floating solar PV farm at Tamarind Falls Reservoir in the archipelago’s southwest.
Sri Lanka launches 25 MW solar tender
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Power and Energy is now welcoming expressions of interest for the development of ground-mounted or floating solar PV projects – ranging from 1 MW to 5 MW – at three substations in the country. Selected developers will secure a 20-year power purchase agreement.
Researchers build 20-μm-thin monocrystalline solar cell with 21.1% efficiency
The scientists built the device by depositing multiple metal nanofilms on both sides using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The cell achieved an open-circuit voltage of 684 mV, a short-circuit current density of 38.2 mA/cm2 and a fill factor of 80.8%.
