Improving vertical bifacial PV system performance with free-space luminescent solar concentrators
New research from the Netherlands shows that using free-space luminescent solar concentrators could be used to considerably increase bifacial solar module performance in vertical residential setups. The scientists are confident that a variety of bifacial PV systems incorporating this technology can be designed and deployed in the future.
Solar manufacturing slows in bid to balance supply and demand
Smaller solar manufacturers have been shuttering production lines, but not at a pace fast enough to return profit margins to healthy territory. InfoLink’s Amy Fang considers what lies ahead for PV companies in the near term.
New report urges Australia to reduce solar supply chain reliance on China
A new report by the United States Studies Centre (USSC), a joint venture of the American Australian Association and University of Sydney, encourages Australia to deeply engage in global solar supply chains and reduce its reliance on China.
Cooling PV modules with lauric acid and nanoparticles
Thai researchers developed three organic phase-change material (PCM) mixtures with nanoparticles to cool PV modules and improve efficiency. They used lauric acid blended with aluminum oxide, copper oxide, and magnesium oxide in an optimal 94:6 weight ratio, boosting module efficiency by up to 14.11%.
Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell based on wide-bandgap top device achieves 33.10% efficiency
Researchers in China have integrated a wide-bandgap perovskite solar cell with a hybrid back contact device in a four-terminal tandem cell that achieves high efficiency and stability. Key for the strong performance was a new surface passivation strategy that the research group adopted for the top cell.
Combining floating PV with compressed air energy storage
Researchers from Egypt and the UK developed a new floating PV system concept that utilizes compressed air for energy storage. The system has a roundtrip efficiency of 34.1% and an exergy efficiency of 41%.
Volta Energy unveils new solar generator for construction sites, pumps
Netherlands-based Volta Energy has launched a 15 kVA portable solar generator to provide offgrid power equipment for use on construction sites. The system includes solar panels, an inverter, battery, trailer, and a backup bio-diesel generator.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: GCL Perovskite secures funds for module production
GCL Perovskite says it has obtained nearly CNY 500 million ($68 million) of funding from several Chinese investors to make perovskite-silicon modules.
Expandable solar roof rack adds 1 kW of off-grid charging for EVs
US startup DartSolar says its new roof rack attachment for electric vehicles adds up to 20 miles (32 km) of additional range per day.
Improving solar cell efficiency with upconversion nanoparticles
An international research group has developed a light upconversion system that can reportedly improve crystalline silicon solar cell efficiency by up to 0.87%. The technology consists of multilayer nanoparticles that act as near-infrared absorbers across different spectral ranges.
