Solar Technology & PV R&D News

Nonflammable electrolyte for high-performance potassium batteries
Australian scientists have established a nonflammable electrolyte for potassium and potassium-ion batteries, for applications in next-generation energy-storage systems beyond lithium innovation.
Feb 3, 2020 // Technology, Storage, Australia, Oceania, electrolyte, Zaiping Guo
Anti-solar cells: A photovoltaic cell that operates at night
In truth, a specially created photovoltaic cell might create up to 50 watts of power per square meter under ideal conditions in the evening, about a quarter of what a traditional solar panel can create in daytime, according to an idea paper by Munday and graduate student Tristan Deppe.
Feb 3, 2020 // Technology, USA, solar cells, North America, University of Maryland, Jeremy Munday
CEA INES and Enel announce 24.63% effectiveness for heterojunction solar cell
The effectiveness of the solar cell, which is made with a basic M2 wafer, was raised by around 0.7% through an improved busbarless screen printing metallization process based on heterojunction (HJT) processes developed with production devices supplied by Swiss professional Meyer Hamburger.
Feb 3, 2020 // Technology, Manufacturing News, France, Italy, Enel, Europe, solar cell, meyer burger, CEA INES
A mathematical technique for choosing the very best PV technology in hot, dry locations
The proposed model is said to carry out much better at energy prediction than software application tools such as PVWatts, PVSyst or RetScreen. The approach was verified on 2 5 MW PV plants in the very same district of the Indian state of Rajasthan.
Feb 3, 2020 // Technology, Software, India, PV plant, Asia, PVWatts, PVSyst, RetScreen
Manganese to improve battery performance
A group of Danish researchers has discovered that introduction of manganese into a Na-ion battery’s cathode can improve its capacity and power.
Jan 31, 2020 // Technology, Storage, Europe, Denmark, Sodium-ion batteries
New efficiency record achieved by tandem solar cell
An R&D team from HZB has established a new record for tandem silicon/perovskite solar cells. The cell measured 1 sq cm has achieved 29.15 percent conversion efficiency. The researchers state that the new record of 30 percent is on the way. The achievement has been approved by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems.
Jan 30, 2020 // Technology, Germany, Europe, solar cell
Analyzing thermal behaviour of solar panels via thermography
A group of Hungarian scientists have compared thermal behaviour of various solar modules by means of thermography. Their research has shown that theoretical predictions are not as accurate as they were expected to be.
Jan 30, 2020 // Technology, Manufacturing News, Hungary, solar pv, pv modules, Europe, thermal
Proving perovskite reliability
A new paper published in Nature claims that scientists have reached a consensus on the procedures for the testing of perovskite cells, which they say will lead to better reproducibility and comparability of data produced by different laboratories, and ultimately a better understanding of the degradation pathways affecting perovskite solar cells, and the most effective ways to mitigate them.
Jan 30, 2020 // Technology, perovskite
Geothermal power is less carbon-emitting than photovoltaic
The latest study has disclosed that geothermal plants produce less CO2 emissions compared to photovoltaic cells during lifespan.
Jan 29, 2020 // Technology, India, solar pv, Geothermal, Asia, CO2 Emissions, IIT-H
Testing floating PV with tracking systems
French water management agency Société du Canal de Provence (SCP) is planning an innovative floating project to test its combination with a solar tracking system. The 250 kW project was awarded a fixed tariff in a special tender for innovative PV projects held by The French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) in February 2018. The plant will be deployed on a water surface managed by SCP in Southern France.
Jan 29, 2020 // Technology, Plants, Large-Scale, Commercial, Floating PV, France, tender, floating PV, Europe, SCP
EnergyNest’s thermal storage to replace natural gas at Austrian manufacturing plant
Norwegian firm EnergyNest is to deploy its thermal battery storage technology at a manufacturing plant in Austria.
Jan 29, 2020 // Technology, Storage, Europe, Austria, thermal, EnergyNest, Christian Thiel, Peter Flotzinger
Construction begins on pilot solar bike lane in the Netherlands
The electricity generated by the PV panels will be used to power the surrounding lighting system, as well as to heat the lane in winter to prevent road slipperiness caused by snow, ice or water. The project is part of a plan by the Dutch government to test the viability of solar power production on road infrastructure.
Jan 29, 2020 // Technology, PV panels, etherlands
Thinner silicon wafer is urgent question again
Lower prices for polycrystalline silicon have turned interest from poly-Si consumption minimization. However, the latest study shows that, with account to modern technologies, slimming wafers can be crucial for cost reduction and is worth attention again.
Jan 28, 2020 // Technology, Manufacturing News, USA, China, Asia, silicon, North America, polycrystalline
New way to calculate proper tilt angle for solar panels
An author from American research university has developed a new model to define the best tilt angle for photovoltaic modules at definite locations. According to the developer, the innovation can considerably improve the existing solar installation methods.
Jan 28, 2020 // Technology, Manufacturing News, USA, Solar Panels, North America, Christian Schuster
Unstable perovskites to turn into LEDs emitting blue light
A scientific group from UC Berkeley (USA) has developed a blue-emitting LED from halide perovskites, the cheapness and ease of making of which make them very attractive for electronic applications.
Jan 28, 2020 // Technology, USA, North America, perovskites