Technology and R&D

US scientists have achieved a breakthrough in PV cell tech by creating a 24 cm2 perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell. It positions a lithium fluoride interlayer between a hole transport layer and the perovskite absorber to reduce shunting losses.

The IEA PVPS Trends Report for 2023 discloses a historic milestone in the photovoltaic (PV) industry, surpassing 1 TW of cumulative capacity. The PV industry registered significant global growth in 2022, with China and Europe leading in charge. PV competitiveness in the market was strong, despite some regions facing problems due to supply issues, grid capacity constraints or labor shortages. The report shows that global collaboration, innovation and strategic planning remain key to a sustainable energy transition.

Dutch company Triple Solar has launched a residential thermal battery with a heat loss rate ranging from 0.67 kWh/day to 0.84 kWh/day. The new product can reportedly provide hot water at temperatures ranging from 45C and 55C, with the minimum heat source temperature ranging between 65C and 80C.

Scientists in Spain tested PV modules under partial shading conditions, aiming to better understand the formation of performance-damaging hotspots. The study reveals a potential issue particularly affecting half-cell and bifacial modules, which may cause accelerated performance loss and is not covered by current testing/certification standards.

Scientists in India have fabricated indoor bifacial perovskite solar cells that purportedly achieve remarkable power output per single cell. The devices also reached a bifaciality factor of 0.73.

Italian researchers studied sodium-seawater batteries (SWBs) for short- and long-term energy storage on Sardinia and found that SWBs with wave energy smoothed out power fluctuations, while enabling a fully decarbonized power generation system over the long run.

Uttar Pradesh New & Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) India will collaborate to identify land parcels for large-scale renewable energy projects in the state. They will also collaborate on policy and research related to the low-impact siting of utility-scale solar and wind projects.

The new solar panels have flexible properties and are suitable for roofs with loading restrictions. According to their creators, the modules showed high reliability under both high temperature and high humidity conditions.

Airtouch Solar manufactures and sells its autonomous, water-free PV panel cleaning products and services in Israel and India. The company has won significant orders for its recently launched Airtouch AT 4.0 solution with leading Indian developers including Adani Green Energy and ReNew.

Renaissance Solar and Electronic Materials (RSOLEC) has announced its plans for solar crystal growth and wafer production in India. The company will initially set up a 5 GW per annum facility and plans expansion to exceed 20 GW capacity in the long term.