Emiliano Bellini
Lightweight ventilated BIPV system for low-load rooftop applications
Scientists in China have designed a ventilated building-integrated photovoltaic system that relies on flexible solar modules with a weight of 6 kg/m2. The system also uses an airflow channel under the PV panels to reduce their operating temperature and increase their power yield.
All-perovskite tandem solar cell based on tin-lead perovskite achieves 28.8% efficiency
Conceived by Chinese scientists, the cell was built with new surface reconstruction strategy based on the use of 1,4-butanediamine (BDA) and ethylenediammonium diiodide (EDAI2) as surface modifiers. The device was able to retain 79.7% of its initial efficiency after 550 h.
East-west vertical PV as antidote for soiling in desert regions
New research shows that east-west-oriented vertical PV installations can significantly help reduce soiling in desert environments. The scientists found that PV power generation can be up to 9% higher in vertical systems compared to conventional arrays.
New battery sizing approach for virtual synchronous generators, control-based grid-forming inverters
A team of researchers in Western Australia has outlined a new methodology to determine the minimum power rating of energy storage systems used for emergency under-frequency response. The ESS size must be calculated to maintain the frequency within the standard operating range.
PV module cooling tech tipped to boost net electrical energy
Scientists in Europe have created an after-market cooling solution that can be fitted to existing standard PV modules. The system is based on a water chamber placed at the backside of the module and can reportedly provide a net electrical energy gain of more than 9%.
WTO accuses China of low transparency on state subsidies, including solar
The World Trade Organisation Secretariat has criticised China for an alleged lack of transparency in its state support framework and has urged the nation to improve its subsidy notification process.
Singaporean startup achieves 22.6% efficiency for perovskite solar module
Singfilm Solar said the result has been certified by China’s National PV Industry Measurement and Testing Center.
All solar cell efficiencies at a glance – updated
The research group led by University of New South Wales Scientia Professor Martin Green has published Version 64 of the solar cell efficiency tables. There are 19 new results reported in the new version.
JA Solar debuts 23.3%-efficient single-glass, anti-dust solar panel
The new module has a power output of up to 650 W and weighs 29.6 kg. It uses JA Solar’s patented anti-dust frame technology, which reportedly enhances drainage and decontamination performance, thus reducing dust accumulation and avoiding hotspot issues.
UNSW team creates vortex generators for passive solar module cooling
University of New South Wales researchers have created vortex generators that can reportedly reduce the operating solar module temperature by up to 2.5 C. They built two different prototypes, based on aluminum and a conductive 3D printable polymer, and tested them under several scenarios in an experimental setting deployed in Sydney.
