IASS: Solar and wind can reduce global water scarcity
The German Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) is calling for more water-friendly decisions and more transparency regarding water use in the energy sector.
Panasonic claims world record module efficiency record with 23.8%
Panasonic Corporation has claimed the world record module efficiency title by a full 1%, achieving 23.8% aperture efficiency on an 11.5-square-centimeter research module.
Heraeus Photovoltaics establishes new lab in Japan
The regional product modification center will strengthen the company’s R&D presence in the Asia Pacific region and accelerate innovation for customers, Heraeus said.
NREL researchers push past 1V CdTe cell barrier
A research team lead by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory has developed a technique by which cadmium telluride (CdTe) PV cells can be produced with an open-circuit voltage exceeding 1 volt. The team claims the development will allow for further increase CdTe conversion efficiencies and represents a “crucial milestone” in the technology’s evolution.
The pv magazine weekly news digest
Developments in the U.S. continued to make headlines this week as utilities across the country carry out systematic attacks on net metering and a California city weighs a PPA for possibly the lowest solar power price on record.
Giga Solar lightweight PV modules pass Fraunhofer CSE tests
The manufacturer’s lightweight, glass-free modules enable innovative, low-cost rooftop and speedier mounting methods without the need for racking hardware or roof penetrations. The test results demonstrate that the solar PV modules can withstand the very tough conditions that modules experience on rooftops, Giga Solar says.
ABB invests in Finnish inverter research center
The Swiss power company has invested close to four million euros into the research facility in Finland, which will primarily carry out a series of weather simulations and network disruptions designed to test inverter performance.
Heliatek raises bar for OPV efficiency to 13.2%
The German organic PV developers reveal new record conversion efficiency for an OPV multi-junction cell; measurement independently verified by Fraunhofer CSP.
CG joins CEA to explore solar market potential in India
The Indian conglomerate and European research organization have teamed up to examine opportunities for solar energy in the country’s airports, which have an estimated solar potential of more than 500 MW.
UK awards £40 million in funding to boost EVs
The U.K. government has awarded £40 million to four British cities to support the spread of electrical and low-emission vehicles. Supported projects include car-charging street lighting and zones offering free parking and traffic priority to plug-in and low-emission cars. The initiative is seen as another step towards the smart energy revolution.
