Technology

Perovskite startup Saule Technologies has attracted investment for Japan’s Hideo Sawada, one year after the company launched. Saule is attempting to commercialize perovskite semiconductor on flexible PET substrates, which was developed by scientist Olga Malinkiewicz.

Australian organic PV and perovskite solar cell (PSC) developer Dyesol claims to have made a significant breakthrough in perovskite stability for solar applications. The company claims to have produced 1cm squared perovskite cells, at around 10% conversion efficiency, which can with stand accelerated degradation testing for over 1000 hours.

Adler Solar and viamon have completed a joint pilot project in the U.K., which saw theft protection devices installed in an 18 MW solar PV park. The companies claim to have built the world’s first GPS-based safety concept for PV installations.

Natcore Technologies Inc. has said pilot demonstration of its silver-less solar PV cells is expected in early 2016, with production available later in the year, if successful. To date, four companies have expressed interest in the new technology.

In what is expected to bring “substantial” cost savings to the industry, Natcore technology Inc. says it has successfully swapped silver for aluminum in its solar cells. A provisional patent application will now be filed.

Energy storage is on course to see a boom similar to that in the solar market; Australia aims to tap this potential to facilitate the further roll out of renewables. A new study has identified key investment areas, and barriers, to storage implementation. An overview of the global storage market sees Hawaii and Scotland presenting viable approaches to implementation, although California and Germany are said to have the most “thorough” storage programs.

EcoSolifer has signed contracts with Meyer Burger worth around CHF 29 million (approx. US$29.5 million) for a HJT solar cell line. The Hungarian technology manufacturer aims to begin production of the high efficiency cells in Q1 2016. A 500 MW capacity is aimed for.

The SolarWorld coordinated “HELENE” research project, which set a new world record for PERC efficiency last month, is targeting an efficiency of 22.5% for industrially manufactured monocrystalline p-Type PERC solar cells by the end of 2017.

According to Tesla’s Q2 2015 earnings report, the company has reduced full-year delivery outlook for its vehicles, causing Tesla shares to fall yesterday. However, its storage solutions are seeing a surge in demand.

Researchers at the Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) in Lithuania have announced the development of a cheaper semi-conductor for use in hybrid solar cells. The development has been registered at the European Patent Office.