Storing renewables with compressed CO2, combined heating and power unit
A Chinese research group has combined compressed CO2 with combined heating and power (CHP) units for renewable energy storage. The system has achieved a total energy efficiency of 35.96% and an energy storage density of 1.54 kWh/m3.
April irradiance up for US and Mexico, down for Canada
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, presents the solar irradiance data it collected for North America in April. These data show that positive departures from normal April irradiation benefitted solar producers from California, Baja California and Sonora right across the continent to Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maine.
Utility-scale solar installation goes automated
Powered by installation robots, on-site assembly line and digital twin software, the Terabase automated power plant construction system aims to boost productivity and cut construction costs.
US commercial PV can meet 35% of electricity demand of manufacturers
Northeastern University researchers have looked at energy use in manufacturing sectors and have found great potential for facilities to generate a portion of their own power with on-site rooftop solar installations.
Polysilicon prices preserve downward trend, weighed down by supply factors
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.
Kaneka presents 29.2%-efficient 2T silicon-perovskite tandem solar cell
Kaneka’s two-terminal tandem perovskite solar cell has achieved the highest efficiency ever recorded for such a device based on an industrial Czochralski (CZ) silicon wafer. It has an open-circuit voltage of 1.929 V, a short-circuit current density of 19.5 mA cm−2, and a fill factor of 77.55%.
Enerparc COO signals 10-20% potential increase in European PV module prices
Growing interest in European-made solar modules for rooftop systems and PV plants reflects a willingness to increase investments, according to Enerparc COO Stefan Müller. In a recent interview with pv magazine, Müller discusses the market for corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) and the viability of German solar PV tenders.
Tools to monitor PV hybrid system performance
Owners and operators of PV hybrid systems need to monitor and control system operation and performance, which generally involves the collection of big data sets. Data visualization techniques can simplify the monitoring and allow issues to be quickly recognized, says IEA-PVPS.
Solar for railway signaling sites
Australia’s largest rail infrastructure project, the Melbourne-Brisbane Inland Rail freight line, has made the switch to solar to power its signaling systems. The move is expected to deliver an estimated AUD 25 million ($16.93 million) in cost savings.
Solar, renewables to reduce land use
A new Nature Conservancy report offers a land-use reduction scenario and framework to help energy planners and policymakers execute net-zero strategies.
