Reuse or replace? IEA PVPS analysis considers all options for underperfoming PV modules
In a new report, experts from the International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power System Programme (IEA-PVPS) have assessed the economical and environmental benefits of repairing and reusing or replacing solar modules that are not complying with a 30-year expected lifetime. They found that reusing offers the best environmental impact in all cases, while the profitability of this option is currently guaranteed only by rooftop PV under certain conditions. As for large-scale solar, module replacement remains the most competitive option.
Array Technologies acquires STI Norland for €570 million
The merging of both manufacturers could create a new world market leader. The transaction is expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2022.
High PV system prices, falling FITs make small solar unviable in Germany
The payback time in Germany for new solar systems below 10 kW is increasing. According to EUPD Research, it could be almost 22 years by as early as 2023.
Solar-covered parking lots offer multiple benefits
Yale University researchers have discovered that parking lots across Connecticut could host 7 GW of solar capacity and produce 9,000 GWh of electricity in their first year of operation.
Adani Green targets 45 GW of renewables capacity by 2030
Indian renewable energy developer Adani Green had an operational capacity of 5.4 GW – including 4.76 GW of solar and 647 MW of wind – as of Sept. 30.
‘Solar skin’ planned for office tower in Australia
Australian real estate developer Cbus Property has revealed plans to clad a commercial office tower in Melbourne with a “solar skin” capable of generating 20% of the project’s base building electricity requirements.
Vanadium oxide-based silicon solar cell with 18.6% efficiency via atomic layer deposition
Researchers in Spain have developed an n-type crystalline silicon solar cell based on vanadium oxide films deposited by atomic layer deposition. The cell showed an open-circuit voltage of 631 mV, a short-circuit current of 38.36 mA cm-², and a fill factor of 75.8%.
European consortium develops ways to couple heat pumps with solar panels
The Sun Horizon consortium has started to collect performance data on two pilot projects that combine heat pumps with solar systems using hybrid panels on homes in Riga, Latvia. The solution features a heat pump for space heating and domestic hot water and PVT panels to produce power for heating and domestic appliances, with excess power fed to the grid.
Rusnano tests made-in-Russia CIGS solar tiles
The 15%-efficient solar tile is manufactured by Russian producer Solartek with CIGS equipment provided by Sweden’s Midsummer.
US Commerce Department throws out anti-dumping petitions
The dismissal is a win for the Solar Energy Industries Association, which vigorously opposed the request by American Solar Manufacturers Against Chinese Circumvention (A-SMACC) for anti-dumping and anti-circumvention (AD-CVD) tariffs
