Year in review: Solar and storage trends in 2024
In five key trends, pv magazine looks back over a year that saw PV module prices fall lower than many thought possible, while demand was restrained by grid congestion, among other challenges. Energy storage has had a strong year and geopolitics is seeing solar and battery manufacturing enter new regions as competition drives technical innovation.
South Australian technology accelerates discovery of critical minerals from space
South Australian-based space technology company Fleet Space has developed an intelligent platform in communication with a low orbit satellite, that can identify critical minerals and accelerate their extraction for use in clean energy technology.
JXTC looks to serve up increased cell efficiency
The solar industry has dragged its heels on the issue of silver-dependence for cell metallisation, but China’s Jiangsu Xianghuan Technology (JXTC) is moving into commercial production with a copper plating process that overcomes many of the challenges that have limited interest from cell manufacturers.
Newcastle water-based battery developer wins $2.1 million grant for prototype
Allegro Energy has received a $2.1 million grant from the New South Wales government to create a sustainable, water-based battery prototype, made primarily from locally manufactured components and capable of storing energy for more than 10 hours.
Trinasolar hits record efficiency high 27.08% for HJT solar cells
A Trinasolar efficiency record of 27.08% has been announced for large-area high efficiency n-type fully passivated HJT solar cells, certified by Germany’s leading solar energy research lab.
Australian built hybrid-electric VTOL completes successful test flight
BAE Systems Australia has collaborated with aeronautical engineering company Innovaero to successfully fly an all-new vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) full-scale electric prototype of the uncrewed aerial system Strix.
Electric smelting to crack low-emissions iron and steel making code
Australia’s largest ironmaking electric smelting furnace is set to be built in the Kwinana industrial area south of Perth, which is also home to the dual-stage Kwinana battery storage system and Kwinana power station.
XNO ultra-fast charging technology aims to decarbonise mining sector vehicles
West Australian-based industrial battery company Switch Technologies has unveiled in Perth what it describes as the world’s first operational vehicle powered by Echion Technologies’ ultra-fast charging XNO technology.
20 kW university vineyard agrisolar array tests crop yield and panel efficiency
Victoria-based renewables company Greenwood has answered the call from the University of Melbourne to install 48 solar panels at its Dookie Campus’ working vineyard, to aid research into the impact of deploying agrivoltaics on crop yield.
Lithium battery recycling study awarded share in $1 million electrification grant
The New South Wales Electrification and Energy Systems Network has awarded over $1 million in seed funding for groundbreaking projects focused on reducing carbon emissions through electrification.
