Sustainability

The LUMINOSITY project consortium aims to develop 20%-efficient metal halide perovskite prototype modules measuring over 900 cm², designed for a 20-year lifespan and compatibility with roll-to-roll (R2R) processing.

Dutch solar PV systems integrator IM Efficiency has launched a complete solar PV system that includes battery and energy management system to power electrical systems on freight carrying trucks and transport trailers.

Developed by scientists in Poland, the new coating uses transparent silicone-epoxy modified with functionalized octaspherosilicates. The researchers have created five samples, each with a different combination of chemicals, and have found that ice adhesion was reduced by up to 43%, with freezing delay time growing by up to 70 times.

Researchers from China found that big solar power plants have a positive positive impact on the ecological environment of desert areas. Their testing was conducted at a 1 GW solar park located in China’s northeastern Qinghai province.

New research from India shows that rooftop PV system may have “unintended” consequences on temperartures in urban environments. Rooftop arrays, for example, may potentially lower nighttime temperatures by up to 0.6  C.

Researchers at Germany’s Fraunhofer ISE have tested glass fiber-reinforced polymer as a front cover material vehicle integrated PV modules, finding that it has the potential to reduce weight by 44% to 74 % compared to conventional glass-covered modules. Experimental devices withstood hail tests, avoiding cell cracking after impact.

Austrian researchers developed a model to quantify the benefits of vehicle integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) on the energy needs of three different sizes of electric vehicle in the city of Graz, Austria, particularly the effect on battery energy and vehicle mileage.

Lithuania-based Solitek announced two new 435 W modules for integrated PV roofs featuring 22.04%-efficient cell technology. The Solitek’s Solid Solrif in-roof product line is paired with mounting systems supplied by Swiss-based Ernst Schweizer AG.

Trina Solar claims it has developed the world’s first “fully recyclable” 645 W PV module with 20.7% efficiency. It made the panel with interlayer separation reagents, chemical etching technology, and wet chemical silver extraction tech.

European industry association PV Cycle estimates a 10 MW solar site will eventually produce 700 tons of waste material. It is becoming increasingly clear that PV modules need end-of-life protocols – for the technology and material processing, and the regulatory environment.