Photovoltaics for underwater wireless communication
Researchers in China used commercially available solar cells to create an underwater optimized lens-free system for high-speed optical detection and have found that the PV devices enable a much larger detection area than commonly used photodiodes.
Enel, Comal plan 1GW solar tracker factory in Italy
Called Tracker Sun Hunter, the new factory will be located in an area of over 30,000 square meters inside Enel’s Montalto di Castro power plant which is no longer used for energy generation.
Mobile solar pump for remote areas
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar have developed a solar power system that can be easily moved between farms to pump water for irrigation. The kit comprises solar panels and an inverter to power a surface-mounted pump.
Norwegian renewables company moves on South African peer
Magnora will almost double its clean power portfolio in South Africa with the acquisition of a 92% stake in African Green Ventures. With the latter’s management team to hold the remaining shares in the business, Magnora has not revealed how much the acquisition will cost nor how the deal will be structured.
Irish senator proposes solar mandate on public buildings
The Green Party members of the coalition governing the EU member state are losing patience with the slow progress of a bill they tabled eight months ago to remove the requirement for schools and other public buildings to have planning permission to install panels.
All-polymer solar cell with 15.53% efficiency via meniscus-assisted coating
Scientists in China have developed an organic, all-polymer solar cell with a special meniscus-assisted coating technique. They claim that the power conversion efficiency of the cell is the highest among solution-printing-based, all-polymer solar cells.
South Korea’s Kepco to deploy 100MW of highway PV
Korea Electric Power Corp. plans to build solar on highways in two 20MW stages, followed by a third phase, under a government program to facilitate the development of energy-independent roads.
Australian duo make shortlist for 600MW green hydrogen project in New Zealand
Two of Australia’s most prominent energy players, Fortescue Future Industries and oil giant Woodside Energy, have been included on a shortlist of potential development partners for a proposed 600MW green hydrogen production and export facility on New Zealand’s South Island.
World’s largest lithium ion battery is down, again
The Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility Phase II in the United States set off fire alarms that activated a fault water suppression system, triggering a cascading set of events that resulted in roughly 10 battery packs melting down.
Flexible solar panels made in Israel for Amazon’s facility in France
Apollo Power is providing its flexible solar modules for a €750,000 photovoltaic project planned by Amazon in France. Each of the module units provided by the Israeli manufacturer has a size of 2,040×6,130mm and weighs in at only 3kg/m².
