Solar module price increases to affect returns on 4.4 GW of solar
Solar cell and module prices have increased by more than 40% over the last 18 months, driven by polysilicon prices. However, bid tariffs has remained lower than what is needed to mitigate the rise in module prices. The risk of lower returns is significant for 4.4 GW of projects that have been awarded over the past 18 months, with tariffs below INR 2.2 ($0.028)/kWh.
Recycling options for PV panels, batteries could drive circular economy, says NREL
Renewable hardware that lasts longer and uses fewer materials could bolster recycling efforts and help to build an effective circular economy for solar and battery technologies, says the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Sanvaru plans new lithium battery plant as orders exceed capacity
Haryana-based Sanvaru is expanding its lithium battery production capacity to 400 MWh per year by setting up a new factory in Haridwar.
Lithium-ion fire fears spark recall of 433,000 solar LED umbrellas in US, Canada
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada have issued a joint recall of patio umbrellas due to fires caused by the overheating of lithium-ion batteries.
NTPC seeking 135 MW of PV modules for solar project in Rajasthan
State-run power producer NTPC has launched global bidding to supply 135 MWdc of 530 Wp crystalline solar modules for its Anta solar project in Baran district, Rajasthan. Bidding closes on July 28.
CEA-INES develops 18.95%-efficient flexible perovskite solar panels
French researchers have developed PV modules with an area of 11.6 square centimeters for indoor applications. They said the achieved efficiency level marks a world record for a flexible perovskite device larger than 10 square centimeters.
Indian researchers find way to stop dendrites in solid-state lithium batteries
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, have found that nanoscopic refractory metal layers like tungsten could improve dendrite growth tolerance in electrolytes of solid-state Li-ion batteries. The team collaborated with researchers from Carnegie Mellon University.
BatX Energies raises $1.6 million to expand battery recycling
Vikrant Singh, co-founder and CTO of BatX Energies, told pv magazine that the company would use the funds to scale up its capacity, with plans to launch material production from end-of-life lithium batteries on a commercial scale. It will also set up recycling units in different geographies to locally produce black mass – a mixture of battery anode and cathode materials – and ship it to its India facility for battery material extraction.
Solar window generates electricity, thermal energy
A research team in Hong Kong has built a solar window that can generate power on the external side via a luminescent solar concentrator and thermal energy on the internal side via transparent solar absorbers.
Indian manufacturer unveils lithium inverter batteries with solar storage
Rajasthan-headquartered Natural Battery Technologies has developed lithium-based inverter batteries that can be charged with solar power. The batteries are designed for residential and commercial use, with storage capacities typically ranging from 1.5 kWh to 20 kWh. The company can offer other sizes, too, according to customer requirements.
