Hail-prone areas may require solar modules with 4 mm-thick front glass
New research from India claims solar modules with 3.2 mm-thick front glass may not be strong enough to withstand storms producing big hailstones. The scientists found that a front glass of at least 4 mm should be used to avoid significant damage.
Including flood, erosion hazards in solar project site selection
New research from Turkey shows the need for a more rigorous approach to PV site selection due to increasing hydrological extremes. The scientists claim that fixed-distance buffer zones are not sufficient to protect solar farms from flood and erosion hazards.
Preheating hydrogen with heat pumps may reduce cost of green H2 for heating by 10%
UK researchers suggested utilizing heat pumps to preheat hydrogen to very high temperatures, which they said could reduce the need for hydrogen by more than 20%. The process is also claimed to have the potential to reduce the European industry’s energy demand by approximately 200 TWh per year.
Enel develops robot for waterless cleaning of PV plants
Enel says it will work with Italian startup Reiwa to develop a robot for waterless cleaning of PV plants. The innovative device features brushes and can autonomously navigate across panel rows, eliminating the need for human intervention.
Airtouch Solar signs $8.5 million cleaning robot contract with ReNew
Airtouch Solar will supply and install its dry-cleaning robots for PV panels in ReNew projects. It will also provide operation and maintenance support for 25 years.
Australian startup builds production line for thermal energy storage blocks
Australia-based MGA Thermal has secured AUD 8.25 million ($5.39 million) from domestic and international investors as it gears up for commercial-scale production of its thermal long-duration energy storage solution.
Solar, storage, and V2G at the core of Israel’s future energy system
New research has shown that Israel has the technical potential to deploy 172.5 GW of photovoltaics, of which 132.1 GW would be from conventional installations and 40 GW from agrivoltaics. If deployed, this full potential would require energy storage with a capacity of at least 500 GWh and strong development of vehicle-to-grid technologies.
Using end-of-life photovoltaic panels as building material
Scientists in India have proposed to use solar modules at the end of their lifecycle as a building material for low-cost small housing units. With solar module recycling currently not viable economically, the researchers said their approach makes conventional solar panels into BIPV products without any modifications.
Energy Vault completes 25 MW/100 MWh gravity-based storage tower in China
Energy Vault has started commissioning a 25 MW/100 MWh energy storage tower adjacent to a wind power facility near Shanghai.
Adani New Industries Q1 revenue up 209% YoY
Adani New Industries Ltd recorded a revenue of INR 1,898 crore ($229 million) in the first quarter of FY 2023-24, 209% up year-on-year. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) increased 7.5 times to INR 355 crore as export volumes surged 19 times.
