Emiliano Bellini
Glass pyramid concentrator for solar cell applications
Stanford University scientists have built an optical concentrator that purportedly harvests more than 90% of the light that hits its surface.
Longi’s heterojunction solar cell hits 26.5%
Germany’s Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin has confirmed that Longi’s new n-type heterojunction solar cell has achieved a power conversion efficiency of 26.5%.
Chinese polysilicon producer shuts down factory due to fire
East Hope has halted production due to a fire at its factory in the Zhundong Economic and Technological Development Zone, in China’s Xinjiang region. pv magazine recently spoke with polysilicon analyst Johannes Bernreuter about the possible consequences of the fire on the supply chain.
Philippines allocates 1.57 GW of solar in 2 GW renewables auction
The main winner of the first renewables auction in the Philippines was developer Solar Philippines Nueva Ecija Corp. (SPNEC), which secured five solar projects, or 1.35 GW of capacity.
Debunking myths about PV system orientation, dimensioning
New research from Lappeenranta University of Technology shows that there is no single correct orientation for a PV installation.
Philippines approves 24 bidders for 2 GW renewables auction
Eight of the 24 bidders in the latest renewables auction in the Philippines are focusing on solar, along with eight bidders looking at wind, seven linked to run-of-river hydro, and one connected to biomass.
Pumped-hydro storage project takes shape in New Zealand
Lake Onslow, New Zealand, could become home to one of the world’s largest pumped-hydro storage facilities. A local consortium is now conducting a feasibility study and is investigating possible system designs and precise locations.
Solar cell efficiencies at a glance – updated
A research group led by UNSW’s Professor Martin Green has published Version 60 of the Solar cell efficiency tables.
Lithium-ion vs. vanadium redox flow storage
UK scientists have compared the performance of lithium-ion storage systems and vanadium redox flow batteries for a modeled 636 kW commercial PV system in southern California. They have found that both technologies, coupled with an oversized PV array, could achieve a levelised cost of electricity of less than US$0.22/kWh (AU$0.32/kWh), while offering a self-sufficiency ratio of 0.95.
South Korea kicks off 2 GW PV tender
Selected projects will be awarded a fixed rate under a 20-year contract under the country’s renewable energy certificate (REC) scheme and will sell electricity to local power distributors.
