Solar window generates electricity, thermal energy
A research team in Hong Kong has built a solar window that can generate power on the external side via a luminescent solar concentrator and thermal energy on the internal side via transparent solar absorbers.
CIGS solar tile with 14.9% efficiency
Taiwanese manufacturer Eterbright has developed a CIGS solar tile with power output ranging from 26.5 W to 56 W and a temperature coefficient of -0.34% per C. The product is able to withstand a snow load of 5,400 Pa and a wind load ranging from 1,600 Pa to 2,400 Pa.
Canadian consortium wants to deploy photovoltaic noise barriers across North America
A consortium led by building-integrated photovoltaics maker Mitrex wants to install highway noise barriers with integrated solar that have 1.2 MW of capacity per kilometer. The technology is currently in the pilot phase at government entity locations in North America.
‘Solar skin’ set to power Melbourne office tower
With architects and construction companies across the world showing an increasing interest in building-integrated PV, one Australian company has outlined plans to clad an eight-storey building being constructed in West Melbourne with a “solar skin” that will generate almost all of the building’s base power.
Tunable solar cells with customized design capabilities
German scientists have reviewed all solar cell technologies with tuning capabilities and have identified all of their possible applications.
Semitransparent dye-sensitized solar module for BIPV applications
Scientists in Italy have developed a module with an area of 0.2 sm and an efficiency of 2.7% in outdoor conditions, with a tilt angle of 60 C. They designed it by considering the trade-off between low losses and device sturdiness.
JinkoSolar showcases 13.08%-efficient transparent TOPCon solar module for BIPV, agrivoltaics
The new solar module can be purchased with different levels of transparency, depending on the project, with light transmittance ranging between 30% and 40%. It has a power output of 245 W to 300 W and a temperature coefficient of -0.30% per C.
Novel way to turn semi-finished thin-film solar modules into colored BIPV panels
German scientists have developed a way to cut semi-fabricates into desired shapes and then apply a conductive oxide-metal-oxide electrode with the preferred color. They can structure the elements into modules via the backend interconnection process.
BIPV facade for new exhibition space in Switzerland
Switzerland-based Novartis has deployed a 36 kW building-integrated PV facade on its new exhibition center in Basel. The system features 10,680 organic PV modules from France’s Asca.
Seoul launches BIPV incentive scheme
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has revealed that it will subsidize building-integrated photovoltaic projects through a new rebate scheme.
