New 1,500 V string inverter from Growatt
The new device is available in four different versions with nominal power ranging from 185 to 253 kW. The inverter has a reported efficiency of 99.0% and a European efficiency between 98.5% and 98.7% depending on the size.
Russia’s first floating PV plant comes online
The facility was built with 140 heterojunction solar panels mounted on pontoon-type floats. The project is located at the site of the 320 MW Nizhne-Bureyskaya hydropower plant, owned and operated by Rushydro in the Russian Far East’s Amur region.
UK water utility launches solar tender
Southern Waters is considering buying electricity from generation facilities on its sites in southern England. After launching a request for information process last year, it is now seeking bids from independent power producers.
Talesun unveils 570-590 W solar module series
The new module series is available in five versions with power outputs claimed by Talesun of 570-590 W and reported efficiencies of 20.3-21.0%.
Solar Power International goes virtual
As Covid-19 cases surge across the United States, SPI has moved its October trade show from Las Vegas to the virtual world.
Solar modules with glass-enameled steel backs
U.S.-based Toledo Solar has secured a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct research on lighter, steel-backed solar modules.
Germany’s untapped potential for balcony PV panels
In the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, a balcony module, with an upfront investment of €350 to €500, can provide electricity with a current value of €54 per year. The payback period ranges from six to nine years.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Higher cell prices and plans for 36 GW of new cell capacity
Chinese solar cell manufacturer Tongwei has raised its cell prices by 9% this week after having increased them by 10% three weeks earlier. Another cell manufacturer, Aiko Solar, has unveiled a plan to deploy 36 GW of new cell production capacity.
Jolywood announces bifacial panel with 615 W ouptut
Presented at the SNEC fair in China, the Niwa Super module series has a power output ranging from 570 W to 615 W and a reported efficiency of 22.1%.
Photo-electrochemical cells vs. PV electrolysis
Dutch researchers have analyzed the two most promising solar-assisted technologies to produce green hydrogen, based on the levelized cost of hydrogen. They found that PV-powered hydrogen production offers the lowest costs, at $6.22/kg, with a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency ratio of 10.9%.
