Compressed air tech for solar module cleaning, cooling shows promise in India field-testing
British scientists have reported significant restoration of the panel performance with the experimental compressed air system developed by them for the simultaneous cleaning and cooling of PV modules. The system was built with a compressed-air unit which was made of a compressor, an air tank, and an airflow regulation valve, and a series of nozzles. The technique was tested on a PV system located in northwestern India.
India launches anti-dumping probe for solar cells from China, Thailand and Vietnam
The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) under the commerce ministry stated the Indian manufacturers provided sufficient evidence to warrant the initiation of an investigation into the alleged dumping of solar cells. The investigation will aim to determine the existence, degree and effect of the dumping and recommend an amount of anti-dumping duty to offset the material injury to domestic manufacturers.
Harvard scientists unveil solid-state lithium battery that can be charged and discharged at least 10,000 times
US scientists have created a new design for lithium-metal, solid-state batteries that should avoid the formation of dendrites that grow into the electrolyte. Their multilayered battery could potentially recharge electric vehicles within 10 to 20 minutes.
The long read: All that glitters is HJT
The devil is in the details, as they say, and when it comes to the next generation of mass-produced, high-efficiency PV cells, silver costs may be devilishly hard to reduce. Making things worse, prices for the precious metal are now heading in the wrong direction.
Cabinet approves INR 18,100-crore incentives for advanced battery storage production
The production-linked incentive scheme for battery storage, with an outlay of INR 18,100 crore (US$ 2459 million), is intended to build a cumulative 50 GWh of advanced chemistry cell (ACC) and 5 GWh of ‘niche’ ACC production facilities in India.
Renewables accounted for 64% of India’s electricity generation capacity addition in FY21
India added 7.7 GW of new renewable energy (RE) capacity in FY2020-21, out of which 5.5 GW (71%) came from solar (grid-scale and rooftop) alone. Overall power generation capacity addition for the year stood at 12.1 GW.
Green hydrogen supply chain concerns
With South Africa holding 63,000 of the world’s estimated 69,000 metric tons of platinum reserves – according to the Statista.com website – and Russia and Zimbabwe a further 5,100 between them, the European Commission has cited the metal as an example of a potential supply chain bottleneck that could handicap its grand plans for renewables-powered hydrogen production.
Solar glass maker Borosil Renewables bags national award
The government of India has recognized the manufacturer for the development and commercialization of 2mm thick fully-tempered solar glass, Selene anti-glare solar glass, and Shakti solar glass in matt-matt finish.
Odisha tenders 500 MW of farmland solar under KUSUM program
Solar power generators have until June 22 to bid for the development of projects, on a build-own-operate basis. The ceiling tariff payable for the electricity generated has been fixed at INR3.08 INR/kWh in the tender.
Vikram Solar commissions largest single-site PV project of Uttar Pradesh
Following a 140 MW solar capacity, the EPC contractor has commissioned an additional 85 MW for NTPC at Bilhaur in the Kanpur district. This takes the total project capacity to 225 MW, making it the State’s largest single-site PV plant.
