Bulgaria gives green light to solar cell, panel factory
The Bulgarian government has approved a memorandum of understanding with Turkey’s Smart Solar Technologies AD for the construction of a solar cell and panel factory in southern Bulgaria.
Automating solar PV perovskite material discovery
U.S. researchers have applied robotics and automation to perovskite material discovery for use in tandem perovskite solar cell technologies. The robotic platform is multifunctional, able to mix precursors, perform spin coating, annealing and characterization of the optoelectronic thin films.
Meyer Burger cancels US solar cell plant, announces restructuring
Colorado Springs solar cell plant halted as Swiss-German PV manufacturer announces company restructuring plans. Planned capacity expansion at Arizona module production plant also put on hold. Existing cell production site in Thalheim, Germany, to remain part of Meyer Burger operations.
Nanoparticles, phase-change materials in PVT systems
Scientists have used varying levels of Al₂O₃ and ZnO paraffin wax to improve the electrical and thermal performance of a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) system. They have also developed a prediction model for this specific combination of hybrid nano-phase change materials.
Zimbabwe proceeds with 5 MW solar plant
Zimbabwe is moving forward with the development of a 5 MW solar plant. Construction is set to begin following approval from the Infrastructure and Development Bank of Zimbabwe.
The critical role of industry mentoring to shape leaders
In this week’s column, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) explains why mentoring can represent a powerful tool to combat modern-day issues like the gender pay gap, leadership inequality, and pervasive gender biases, both conscious and unconscious.
Researchers identify barriers to solar development in Poland
A research team from Poznań’s University of Economics & Business and SMA Solar Technology AG spoke to installers, designers, distributors and manufacturers in Poland’s solar industry to identify key barriers to PV development. They highlighted a lack of connection capacity and prices of non-renewable energy sources as the main issues.
Global polysilicon prices stable amid steady fundamentals
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.
Sunny end to summer delivers European solar records
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that a surge in sunshine has resulted in record-breaking solar generation across several European countries this August, with the trend set to continue for the remainder of the month.
Novel blockchain-based virtual utility for P2P PV trading
Researchers from Canada’s Western University have developed an open-source, blockchain-based virtual utility for peer-to-peer (P2P) solar trading, using smart contracts to save up to $1,600 (US dollars) for 10 homes in simulated scenarios.
