Replacing MPPT with direct PV-battery coupling
Researchers in Germany have assessed direct coupling and integration between PV and batteries at the scale of a single PV module. They say their solution could be cheaper and provide superior performance than maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in optimizing PV system performance.
Photovoltaic-thermoelectric tech with potential efficiency of 65%
Chinese scientists have simulated a new photovoltaic-thermoelectric technology, based on radiative cooling and III-V solar cells, to generate electricity at night.
REIL tender for 660 Wp mono PERC modules
Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Ltd is accepting bids from domestic manufacturers to supply 1,540 quantities of 660±4 Wp mono PERC modules. Bidding is open until February 21.
Photovoltaic-thermal module based on biochar-PCM achieves 79.6% efficiency
Indian scientists have developed a panel with an electrical efficiency of 13% and and thermal efficiency of 66.6 %. They built the system with a 100 W PV panel, a rectangular absorber, and a cooling technique based on a phase change material (PCM) that uses biochar derived from water hyacinth.
Hitachi Energy opens advanced power system factory in Chennai
The HVDC and power quality product factory will cater to the rising number of high-voltage transmission projects in India and export to support global HVDC installations.
Emmvee gets Fraunhofer ISE on board for solar cell line
India’s Emmvee Group has appointed Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy as the technology partner for its upcoming 1.5 GW PV cell manufacturing facility.
New EV battery offers 50% more density than traditional lithium-ion batteries
Ionblox says it will use $32 million of series B funding to support the buildout of a novel silicon anode electric vehicle battery.
IIT-Madras Research Park signs thin-film R&D MoU with First Solar
IIT Madras Research Park and US-based First Solar will cooperate on a range of research and development (R&D) activities including the localization of thin film and other next-generation PV technology supply chains in India, high-volume manufacturing, PV module testing, and high-value recycling.
Survey shows 34.3% failure rate for residential inverters over 15 years
The Bern University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland has published the initial results of a survey on the durability and performance of residential PV inverters and power optimizers over a 15-year period. They found that more than 65% of the inverters did not present yield-relevant faults by their 15th year of operation.
Sodium aluminum battery for renewables storage
US researchers have designed a molten salt that could potentially reach an energy density of up to 100 Wh/kg at a cost of $7.02/ kWh. The battery uses an aluminum cathode that charges quickly and reportedly enables longer-duration discharge.
