Solliance hits record efficiency on perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell
The Dutch consortium has achieved the record result by combining, in a four-terminal tandem configuration, an 18.6% efficient highly near-infrared transparent perovskite with a prototype of a c-Si interdigitated back contact (IBC) silicon heteroJunction (SHJ) cell developed by Japanese electronics manufacturer Panasonic. The perovskite cell was also combined with other kinds of solar cells and other remarkable record efficiencies were hit.
Renascor finalises $15m capital raise, on track to be world’s first battery-grade graphite producer outside of China
South Australian company Renascor Resources this morning confirmed it had raised $15 million from institutional investors in Australia and abroad, enough to fund its Siviour Battery Anode Material Project up to the construction phase. The project is on track to become the world’s first integrated mine and purified spherical graphite operation outside of China.
PV-powered desalination system for water-poor, sun-rich rural areas
Italian start-up Genius Watter has developed a solar desalination solution that is claimed to be particularly suitable for remote areas with no connection to grid electricity. The system is able to produce up to 1,000 cubic meters of potable water per day at an opex of €0.20 per cubic meter.
Big battery market gets a leg up as rule maker proposes rewards for fast grid responses
The Australian Energy Market Commission, the country’s rule maker for electricity and gas markets, has this morning released proposals to reward fast frequency services in the National Electricity Market for the first time.
Australian aerospace firm to launch into space race with green hydrogen
Queensland-based Hypersonix Launch Systems has announced a partnership with BOC and its Bulwer Island Renewable Hydrogen Production and Refuelling pilot project. The deal will see Hypersonix use green hydrogen produced by solar electrolysis as rocket fuel to launch re-useable satellites into lower earth orbit.
Hydrogen overview: recent movements across the globe and at home
Hydrogen is heating up – not only here in Australia, but globally. This week has seen a flurry of news from the U.K. to South Africa, New Dehli to Switzerland. Pv magazine’s roundup of the latest hydrogen news and movements.
Global database for PV system performance
The database brings together photovoltaic performance data and meteorological values from PV systems located in all climate zones. It is being built by an international consortium including the Fraunhofer Centre for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP, and the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences.
Federal government commits a further $275m to regional hydrogen hubs, devotes similar sum to controversial technology
Australia’s federal government has pledged a further $275.5 million to develop regional hydrogen hubs and $263.7 million for carbon capture and storage technology in a pre-budget announcement ahead of the climate summit on Thursday.
Shaded solar parks found to be beneficial for pollinators and plants alike
Researchers in the US ascertained that the partial shading provided by solar parks creates a microclimate that favours the abundant growth of more varied flowers and pollinators. They also found that partial shading increases bloom abundance by delaying bloom timing, increasing forage for pollinators during the hot and dry late season.
Hydrogen plant in SA would already return millions in profit, research finds
A hydrogen production plant in South Australia would already be profitable, analysis from Cornwall Insight Australia has found.
