Creative thinking for vertical east-west bifacial PV projects
A Finnish-Norwegian research group has assessed the global potential of vertical east-west bifacial PV (VBPV) projects and found that these installations may provide a low LCOE at Nordic latitudes, in Central Europe and subtropical desert areas. The researchers also found that residential and commercial VBPV systems are a grid-friendly solution for low-voltage networks when compared […]
MIT scientists develop PV cleaning system based on electrostatic repulsion
Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a system that can be operated at a voltage of around 12V, with a 95% recovery rate for lost power after cleaning. The waterless system can be operated automatically via an electric motor. Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a lab-scale solar module […]
Photovoltaic forced ventilated facade for applications with air source heat pumps
Scientists in Spain have designed a BIPV forced ventilated facade that can be used as support for heating and a domestic hot water (DHW) building system based on air source heat pumps (ASHPs). In the proposed system configuration, the heat pump is expected to cover building heating demand at all times, regardless of the performance […]
Thermochemical storage-plus-rooftop PV to store heat for winter months
A group of researchers in the United Kingdom is developing a modular, multi-vector energy system that can be installed into new homes and retrofitted into existing buildings to provide seasonal heat storage. In the proposed system configuration, a rooftop solar array would be used to power a heat pump or another electrical heating element, which […]
New floating PV mounting structure from Austria
The floater consists of a structure made of HDPE plastic which is claimed to withstand waves of up to 3m and currents of up to 2m/s. According to the manufacturer — Austrian tech company SolOcean — the floating structure can be used for either onshore or offshore projects. Austrian technology company SolOcean GmbH Austria has […]
Rollable CIGS solar modules from France
French start-up Solar Cloth is planning to scale up capacity at its module production facility near Cannes. The factory will produce 17.6%-efficient flexible solar modules integrated into textile supports. French start-up Solar Cloth has developed a copper, indium, gallium and selenium (CIGS) solar module for housing, greenhouses, aeronautics, mobility, sports and leisure applications. The modules […]
All-polymer solar cell with 15.53% efficiency via meniscus-assisted coating
Scientists in China have developed an organic, all-polymer solar cell with a special meniscus-assisted coating technique. They claim that the power conversion efficiency of the cell is the highest among solution-printing-based, all-polymer solar cells. A research team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has built an all-polymer organic solar cell based on high–quality blend […]
Next-gen concentrated solar power now under development
In new studies led by researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the US Department of Energy pursues an energy cost goal of $0.05 per kilowatt-hour. From pv magazine USA Concentrated solar power (CSP) uses heliostat mirrors to direct sunlight into a collection tower, storing heat energy in abundant mediums like rocks, sand or molten […]
Offgrid solar generators for RVs, camping
Jackery displayed its latest portable solar generators at the recent Quartzsite RV Show, which is the world’s largest event for recreational vehicle enthusiasts. From pv magazine USA The Quartzsite RV Show is said to be the largest of its kind, drawing some 750,000 visitors to the Arizona desert each year. On display this year were […]
German consortium develops 19.7%-efficient PERC solar cells made of recycled silicon
Led by German research institute Fraunhofer ISE, the consortium has built the solar cells with 100% crystalline silicon recycled from end-of-life photovoltaic panels. The silicon is recycled through a technique conceived by German specialist Reiling GmbH & Co. KG and the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE […]