Solar panels based on biosourced materials
French solar energy institute INES has developed new PV modules with thermoplastics and natural fibers sourced in Europe, such as flax and basalt. The scientists aim to reduce the environmental footprint and weight of solar panels, while improving recycling.
Amorphous carbon nitride anti-reflection coating for solar cells
Scientists in Iraq have applied an amorphous carbon nitride (CNx) thin film as an anti-reflective layer in commercial crystalline silicon solar cells. They claim they were able to improve their efficiency from 5.52 to 13.05%.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: China’s solar cell capacity exceeds 361 GW
Tongwei has also secured another massive polysilicon order and Golden Glass has invested in more heterojunction solar cell capacity. Furthermore, China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) said 23.7 GW of new solar was deployed in China in the first five months of the year.
Four-terminal tandem perovskite/CIGS solar cell with 25.5% efficiency
Researchers in China have developed a four-junction tandem perovskite/CIGS cell. They claim it is the most efficient device of its kind with an n-i-p structure thus far. They used a novel surface passivation strategy to improve the perovskite cell efficiency and fill factor.
TotalEnergies, Gecol to build 500 MW of solar in Libya
TotalEnergies and Libya’s national utility plan to build a massive solar park in the Sadada region, 280 kilometers southeast of Tripoli.
Spanish court orders Iberdrola to dismantle 60% of 500 MW operational PV plant
A Spanish court has ruled that Spain’s largest operational PV project – the 500 MW Nuñez de Balboa solar plant – occupies a piece of land that was illegally expropriated. Project owner Iberdrola must now shut down a large portion of the installation.
Portuguese solar generation hit highest point ever in May
Solar generation accounted for a 8.2% of Portugal’s total electricity production in May – a new record for the country.
Tata Power commissions 66 MW solar park in India
Tata Power Solar has completed a solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for a 66 MW solar project in India, bringing its cumulative utility-scale PV portfolio to 9.7 GWp.
Australian electricity market regulator suspends spot market in eastern states
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has suspended the electricity wholesale spot market in all five of the participating National Electricity Market states, as it claims it has become “impossible” to operate.
US grid-scale energy storage quadruples
Grid-scale and residential storage installations have set new records in the United States, despite supply chain concerns and pricing issues.
