Canadian BIPV module supplier unveils two solar tiles
Both products are based on 22%-efficient CIGS solar cells and are manufactured in Asia. One of the two devices has a flat design and power output of 80 W and a second product features a nominal power of 30 W and an undulating design.
Using excess heat from PV modules for lithium-extraction process
Canada-based Enertopia filed provisional patents for technology that it said could boost PV system output by 10% or more and reduce panel heat stress.
Photovoltaic roof for highways
Researchers from Germany and Austria are testing how photovoltaic roofs may be deployed along highways. The first pilot project is planned to be implemented starting from the autumn.
Holographic light collector to improve solar panel yield
In the proposed system, the optical element is placed symmetrically at the center of the solar panel in order to increase the length of the effective light collection region. Each hologram is claimed to be able to separate the colors of sunlight and direct them to the solar cells within the panel.
Simple trick to protect PV systems from pigeons
A German PV system owner has developed a simple solution intended at preventing the birds from nesting under the modules.
Ever heard of algovoltaics? Enel is testing it for applications on large solar plants
Nicola Rossi, head of innovation at Enel Green Power, has told pv magazine how the company is seeking to combine microalgae cultivation with solar power generation. The integration scheme is aimed at minimizing interferences with the PV plant and maximizing the benefits in microalgae yield
Redox flow battery based on fluorenone
The storage system is based on fluorenone derivative anolytes. Despite its small dimensions, the device is claimed to have an energy density that is more than twice that of the vanadium batteries in use today.
CEA-Ines achieves 19.2% efficiency for flexible perovskite solar cell
The cell was fabricated with a flexible substrate made of indium tin oxide (ITO) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The device was tested through a damp heat test and showed it can retain around 90% of its initial efficiency after 800 hours.
Novel approach to turn coal plants into energy storage stations
From pv magazine USA Malta Inc. and Duke Energy, using a Department of Energy grant, are partnering on a one-year study to assess the socio-economic, environmental, and operational issues behind converting retiring coal units into long-duration, zero-emissions energy storage systems. The two companies will look at integrating Malta’s 100 MW, 10-hour pumped heat energy storage […]
How much solar energy is lost through automated inverter settings?
In a huge data-crunching project designed to inform rooftop solar-export policy and regulations, Australian technical and social researchers delve into the costs and effectiveness of inverter standards.
