Dealing with Pakistan’s solar panel glut
Solar panels flooded into Pakistan during the first half of 2024 and oversupply has wiped out module margins. Solar developers want greater liberalization of the nation’s electricity market but the government is concerned that moving too quickly could place more pressure on utilities already burdened by high capacity payments.
Solar Asia unveils 730 W heterojunction panel with 23.5% efficiency
Pakistan-based Solar Asia said its new heterojunction product uses 210 mm cells provided by Chinese manufacturer Tongwei. The panel is designed and engineered in Germany by Sonnex Energie and is initially intended for sale in the Pakistani market.
Standalone PV-hydrogen-battery system for EV charging
Researchers in Pakistan have tested several configurations of an offgrid PV-hydrogen system intended to power EV chargers. The system achieved the lowest levelized cost of electricity when it was combined with battery storage.
JCM Power wins 240 MW hybrid PV-wind project in Pakistan with $0.031/kWh bid
JCM Power has won a 240 MW hybrid wind-solar project in Pakistan with a bid of $0.031/kWh. The facility will be located in Dhabeji, near Karachi, and will supply power to local utility K-Electric.
The future of net metering in Pakistan
A report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) sets out policy recommendations for the government of Pakistan if it is to replace net metering with net billing.
Improving perovskite solar cell performance with cadmium telluride buffer layer
An international research team has conducted a series of simulations to investigate how a cadmium telluride buffer layer may help increase efficiency and stability in perovskite solar cells. Their experiment showed that cell efficiency may climb from 11.09% to 23.56%.
Dynamic modeling for building-integrated photovoltaic-thermal systems
Researchers in the Middle East have conducted a series of simulations to assess the technical and economical feasibility of building-integrated photovoltaic-thermal systems. The proposed framework could apply to various building types and geographical locations.
The rise of Pakistan’s C&I solar business
High energy prices and levies are becoming strong drivers for commercial and industrial (C&I) solar projects in Pakistan. Omar Malik, the CEO of Pakistani C&I solar developer Shams Power, speaks with pv magazine about market trends and challenges.
Chinese power company to build 160 MW of solar in Bangladesh
The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and China Huadian Corp. have agreed to install 160 MW of PV in Bangladesh. The solar facility will be deployed in an area that was originally designated to host a coal power plant.
New doping strategy increases lead-free perovskite solar cell efficiency
An international research group has developed a solar cell based on a lead-free perovskite material known as Cs2AgBiBr6. The cell’s absorber was doped with trans-polyacetylene, which reportedly helped the device to improve its efficiency by more than 20%.
