Technology and R&D

US-based Pellucere Technologies, Inc. has secured funding to commercialize its MoreSun coating that increases solar module energy output by more than 4%.

Magenta Power, a Mumbai-based solar power and electric vehicle charging solutions provider, and Mahindra Susten, renewable arm of US$20.7-billion multinational Mahindra Group, will jointly work towards developing technological solutions and rooftop solar power installations.

A new approach could extract carbon from polyethylenes in a cost-competitive way, that could be scaled up. Researchers have also performed electric testing with the extracted carbon and found it suitable for use as anodes in Li-ion batteries, among multiple other uses.

According to a U.S. research team, new nanomaterials relying on dyes based on diketopyrrolopyrrole and rylene can generate a singlet fission reaction that extends the life of harvestable electronic charges.

Setting up of the microgrid with battery energy storage is part of an extended R&D collaboration between ABB and the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee to create platforms for research on smart city technology deployment.

High solar irradiance and few cloudy days are ideal for solar. Fine dust and extreme heat is not – particularly when it comes to power electronics. As the distributed generation market segment emerges across hot climates, extreme conditions are a challenge inverter suppliers are grappling with.

Union Minister for Science & Technology, Dr Harsh Vardhan will launch the solar technology centre at IIT Madras on January 25, 2019. The Centre will focus on a wide range of research and development activities such as silicon solar cells that promise high efficiency and are suited for Indian conditions.

Although the solar industry sees itself as young, its assets are aging. Owners still struggle with the complexity of making the best use of big data analysis to improve plant efficiency and profitability. Ragna Schmidt-Haupt, of Everoze, examines why this has not changed, and what can or should be improved. Artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, automated assessments and smart monitoring software – holistic solar asset management starts here.

The test facility, to be set up by the Maxop Research and Testing Institute, will be capable of testing solar water pumping systems and other solar products in compliance with Bureau of Indian Standards guidelines and international standards.

The new ‘cerenergy’ system that has been developed in Germany can operate without air conditioning by using vacuum insulation even in extreme temperatures. With no rare earths required for manufacture, the product’s basic material is salt.