PV Expo Tokyo 2024: Lightweight solar modules, agri-PV and big storage aims
PV Expo Tokyo 2024, Japan’s main solar industry event, has concluded with record numbers, innovative products, and new trends. Storage auctions and new rules for power purchase agreements (PPAs) are driving the market to new spaces, as project developers scramble for land to build on, while lightweight plastic modules continue to gain prominence.
VSun Solar signs polysilicon supply deal with OCI
OCI has agreed to supply polysilicon to Toyo Solar, the cell production subsidiary of VSun Solar, in order to support wafer production.
Sharp unveils all-black 425 W TOPCon solar panel with 21.76% efficiency
Sharp’s new IEC61215- and IEC61730-certified solar panels have an operating temperature coefficient of -0.30% per degree Celsius, with 21.76% efficiency.
Panasonic presents air-to-water reversible heat pumps
The Japanese electronics manufacturer said its new heat pumps are suitable for commercial, industrial, and multi-dwelling residential applications. The new products feature a rated power ranging from 50 kW to 80 kW and a coefficient of performance spanning from 3.2 to 3.4.
New ion implantation tech promises lower costs for TOPCon solar cells
A Japanese-German research team has fabricated a TOPCon PV device by replacing common ion implantation techniques with plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII). The resulting device showed almost the same efficiency as TOPCon cells produced with conventional Beam line ion implantation systems.
Sharp unveils vehicle-to-home EV charger for PV-powered homes
Sharp has developed vehicle-to-home (V2H) electric-vehicle chargers for PV-powered homes, featuring 6 kW of charging/discharging rated power and an input DC voltage of 340 V. The wall-mounted devices are suitable for indoor and outdoor environments.
The Hydrogen Stream: Japan expands ties with Germany, South Africa
The Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (Jogmec) and Germany’s H2Global Foundation have agreed to cooperate on clean hydrogen, while officials from Japan and South Africa met this week to discuss hydrogen collaboration opportunities.
Investigating smoke dispersion in rooftop PV fires
Researchers have conducted a small-scale experiment on the behavior of smoke in PV-related fires. They have found that in homes featuring rooftops with a pitch of less than 45 degrees, residents only have about four minutes to safely evacuate.
Sekisui Chemical to open solar module factory in Slovakia
Denisa Sakova, Slovakia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minster of Economy, has signed an agreement with Japanese plastics manufacturer Sekisui Chemical, which is developing flexible photovoltaic panels. Sakova says the aim is to explore the possibility of producing the panels in Slovakia.
The Hydrogen Stream: US funding 16 geologic hydrogen exploration projects
The US Department of Energy (DoE) has announced plans to invest $20 million in 16 projects across eight states to accelerate the exploration of geologic hydrogen.
