South Korea records 1.2 GW of solar in H1
South Korea installed 1.2 GW of solar in the first half of 2024, according to the Korea Energy Agency. It says the nation will deploy between 2.7 GW and 2.8 GW of PV capacity this year, continuing the market’s decline since its 2020 peak.
The Hydrogen Stream: Linde invests in blue hydrogen facility in Canada
Linde has signed a long-term deal to supply clean hydrogen in Alberta, Canada, while Hyundai Motor and Pertamina have agreed to jointly develop Indonesia’s hydrogen ecosystem.
Researchers use artificial neural networks to optimize PV tilt angles
Scientists have tested several machine-learning algorithms to predict the optimal tilt angle (OTA) of solar projects in 37 Indian cities, leading to improvements of up to 90%.
LG launches two new residential air-to-water propane heat pumps
The new products utilize propane refrigerant and have a seasonal coefficient of performance of over 5. According to the manufacturer, it can achieve a flow temperature of 75 C, even when it is -15 C outside.
Battery fires in South Korea prompt transparency requirements over EV battery origins
Multiple incidents, including deaths and evacuations, have led to the Korean goverment asking carmakers to voluntarily disclose the makers of batteries in their EVs, with some surprising results.
Three-dimensional PV modules for indoor, urban locations
A research team at Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) in South Korea is tackling the use of solar PV in non-ideal conditions with a new tool to optimize for urban and indoor PV diffuse light and partial shading conditions. The team also developed three-dimensional solar modules featuring a glass-free, lightweight design that features self-tracking that reportedly produces 60% more power compared to conventional flat modules.
BlackRock’s climate infrastructure unit increases stake in Brite Energy Partners
BlackRock’s climate infrastructure business has increased its stake in Brite Energy Partners. The KRW 100 billion ($72 million) investment will help to scale the South Korean independent power producer’s solar portfolio and expand its energy storage and EV charging operations.
Shinsung E&G secures 47 MW module order for floating solar in South Korea
South Korea’s Shinsung E&G says it will supply 47 MW of modules for the country’s first integrated renewable energy complex. It also recently signed an agreement to expand the deployment of rooftop solar in South Korea.
Using digital twin, roll-to-roll platform to design high-performance organic PV devices
An international team of researchers have demonstrated how to speed up the research and development of scalable, high-performing organic solar cells by using an automated, high-throughput platform. It relies on digital twin technology and roll-to-roll (R2R) printing in a closed-loop system.
Korean researchers propose new design for aluminum frames used in glass-glass bifacial solar modules
Using a surrogate model for finite element analysis, the scientists have designed an aluminum frame for bifacial modules that reportedly minimizes deflection and production costs, without adding too much weight. Deflection can lead to cracking or delamination of ribbons inside the module, resulting in an increase number of damaged cells.
