Weekend read: Double trouble
Perovskite PV devices are set to become the next big thing in solar with market analysts at S&P Global Commodity Insights predicting 1 GW of production by the end of 2024, rising to 6 GW in 2025. Perovskite tandem devices are at the front of the queue for commercialisation but their characterisation presents technical challenges.
PVEL releases tenth edition of PV Module Reliability Scorecard
United States-headquartered independent test lab Kiwa PVEL has named 53 manufacturers and 388 models – a record number of ‘Top Performers’ in the 10-year history of its PV Module Reliability Scorecard.
Leapton debuts 600-625 W TOPCon solar panel based on rectangular wafers
Leapton Energy says its new panels have a temperature coefficient of -0.30% per C and an efficiency of up to 23.14%. They come with a 30-year power output guarantee for 87.4% of the initial yield.
JinkoSolar claims 33.24% efficiency for perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells
JinkoSolar says it has achieved a 33.24% efficiency rating for its perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells, confirmed by the Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Study finds excessive row spacing has limited effect on improving PV system performance
Scientists in China have tested the influence of panel row spacing in increasing a PV system performance in a full-scale outdoor PV array experimental platform. They found that larger row spacing plays a limited role in improving thermal convection, observing that solar irradiance and wind speed are the key parameters for optimal PV system design.
Zen breaks ground on 290 MWh Templers battery project
Australian renewable gen-tailer Zen Energy has officially broken ground on its first utility-scale battery project, the 111 MW / 290 MWh Templers energy storage system being built near Gawler in South Australia.
Longi introduces 630 W HPBC modules with 23.3% efficiency
Chinese manufacturer Longi says its new Hi-MO X6 Scientist series has a temperature coefficient of -0.28%/C and a power output ranging from 620 W to 630 W. They rely on the company’s proprietary hybrid passivated back contact cell technology.
REC launches 640 W heterojunction solar module with 22.5% efficiency
REC has developed a new series of heterojunction solar panels with efficiencies up to 22.5% and an operating temperature coefficient of -0.24% per degree Celsius.
Relectrify seeks to scale up after attracting international investors
Australian battery technology startup Relectrify plans to scale up the adoption of its cell-level battery control technology by international manufacturers of grid-scale and commercial and industrial battery energy storage systems after closing a multi-million dollar round of funding.
Sharp unveils new TOPCon solar modules
The Japanese electronics manufacturer has launched the NU-JC440 and NU-JC430B panels with efficiencies of 22.53% and 22.02%, respectively. Both products are IEC/EN61215 and IEC/EN61730-certified and rely on M10 wafers.
