Winaico to launch 515 W heterojunction solar module with 23.5% efficiency
Winaico says it will start selling 515 W solar modules with 23.2% efficiency in April 2025.
New method to predict solar module lifespans under sand erosion
A team of researchers in Algeria has designed a new testbed and a novel acceleration law that accounts for both wind speed and sand density. The new methodology was tested on four PV modules and showed lifespans of up to 47 years in terms of sand impact.
Study shows reducing number of solar modules per string reduces hotspots risk
Scientists in Indonesia have investigated early operational defects in a 24.9 MW solar PV system in Sumatra and have identified hotspot formation as the dominant defect. They also detected 282 cases of glass cracking, 350 cases of junction box failures and shading effects linked to module defects.
U.S. start-up unveils ‘world’s largest’ transparent organic PV window
California-headquartered Next Energy said its laminated transparent power-generating windows were produced with its pilot production line.
PV windows reduce energy consumption in greenhouses by 57%
Developed by a research team including experts from West Australia-based specialist Clearvue, the new PV windows were also able to reduce water usage in a greenhouse by 29%. The group believes that a fully glazed solar greenhouse could offset up to 100% of the energy consumption in worldwide locations by using adaptable and efficient temperature control techniques.
Pressurised water cleaning can improve solar generation efficiency by 10%
Researchers in China have investigated the dust-scaling process and various water-based cleaning methods to optimise maintenance strategies for enhanced safety and efficiency in solar systems.
Testing shows BIPV using patterned glass performs better than expected
Scientists have compared conventional PV modules to self-made BIPV panels with thicker, patterned glass. They tested them both under standard conditions and outdoors under Korean summer conditions. Yield was found to be only 0.5% lower in the textured BIPV module.
BIPV concept integrates louvres to enhance power production
Scientists have proposed a building-integrated PV system that integrates airflow to cool the panels and control room temperature. The system, which also acts as a shading device, can reportedly mitigate drops in power generation efficiency without additional energy consumption.
Wind tunnel tests show spacing between panels is key to reduce soiling
Scientists have placed four PV panels in a 21-metre wind tunnel and run different tests regarding tilt angles, mounting height, spacing, and incoming flow direction. They found that when the spacing between panels exceeds twice the panel height, the mutual influence on dust deposition becomes negligible.
Scientists study impact of bushfire smoke on solar power generation
Scientists have quantified the impact of wildfires on the availability of direct normal irradiance and global horizontal irradiance at the state, regional, and national levels in the United States. They have found that direct irradiance is more sensitive to smoke than the PV-relevant global horizontal irradiance.
