Romanian government accepting proposals for renewables auction
The Romanian Ministry of Energy has started seeking expressions of interest for its first renewables auction, likely to be held the end of June. Developers have until Dec. 30 to express interest.
Selenium solar cell with 5.2% efficiency, 0.99 V open-circuit voltage
Danish researchers have built a selenium solar cell with the highest open-circuit voltage ever reported. They said that with further improvements in the optoelectronic quality of selenium, the device could reach an efficiency of up to 8%.
Germany allocates 609 MW in tender for large-scale solar
Germany concluded its latest renewables tender with a final average price of €0.0580 ($0.06)/kWh, which is slightly higher than the €0.0510 level from the last such exercise. Bids ranged from €0.0520/kWh to €0.0590/kWh.
Sterling & Wilson switches on 162 MW solar plant in Australia
The Australian state of Queensland’s push to source 70% of its energy supplies from renewables by 2032 has received a boost with the completion of the 162 MW Columboola Solar Farm.
Canadian company unveils portable off-grid solar, battery kit
SEI Logistics has developed a portable, folding solar panel kit with batteries. The system is designed to work in harsh, remote environments.
US solar assets underperforming, says kWh Analytics
The 2022 Solar Generation Index report shows that solar asset performance is falling below estimates.
Thin-film tin sulfide solar cells with high open-circuit voltage
Japanese researchers claim that tin sulfide solar cells could achieve higher open-circuit voltages by preventing “Fermi level pinning” from occurring, due to the addition of a tin sulfide interface with large band bending.
Design framework for BIPV shading devices
Canadian researchers have developed a new model to improve the performance of building-integrated PV (BIPV) shades in buildings. They considered solar electricity, heat transferred through windows, and interior daylighting quality.
PV-powered residential air-source heat pump with PCM thermal storage
A UK research group has proposed the combination of solar-powered heat pumps and thermal storage based on phase-change materials for residential applications. They said such a system could facilitate cost savings of up to 39%.
US research institute proposes compensation for storage
Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL) researchers have developed a new framework to compensate energy storage as a dual-use asset.
