Cooling PV modules with hydrogel-coated paper
A Vietnamese research team has developed a low-cost passive cooling system for PV modules based on hydrogel-coated paper that combines water flow and interfacial evaporation to reduce operating temperatures. Outdoor tests showed temperature reductions of up to 14 C and efficiency gains of up to 16.8%, with stable operation achieved using both freshwater and natural seawater.
$1.5 million grant accelerates EV charger access for apartments
Electric vehicle charger designer ReadySteadyPlug has been awarded $1.5 million through ARENA’s Driving the Nation Program to help a rollout of its charging-as-a-service solution for residential apartments.
Sungrow proposes multi-microgrid clusters for mining above 100 MW
Sungrow has released a mining microgrid power solutions white paper in partnership with TÜV Rheinland and the China Electrotechnical Society covering application scenarios from 2.5 MW up to more than 100 MW.
Equis taps GenusPlus as EPC for the 800 MWh Koolunga BESS in Australia
Construction starts shortly, and it’s the second project the pair of companies will have worked on in Australia.
Saft to supply additional batteries as New Zealand’s major BESS doubles in size
Adding on 100 MW / 200 MWh to the Huntly BESS to double the size of the first stage of one of New Zealand’s largest batteries.
CEC tightens solar panel approvals ahead of May deadline
The Clean Energy Council is phasing in new standards for its approved PV modules list with all new panel applications to meet an updated safety standard from 1 May.
Australia passes 10,000 home energy upgrades under $1 billion home fund
Clean Energy Finance Corp. (CEFC) has delivered more than 10,000 home energy upgrades through the federal government’s $1 billion (USD 717 million) Household Energy Upgrades Fund, with Queensland and New South Wales leading uptake.
Solar rebound effect could raise Europe’s electricity demand 5% by 2050
Research from Germany’s FernUniversität Hagen finds the solar rebound effect, caused by households increasing their total electricity consumption after installing a solar system, is currently a blind stop in Europe’s energy system planning and abatement scenarios.
New Zealand’s grid operator finds emerging energy gap in early 2030s
Transpower’s latest assessment of New Zealand’s balance between electricity supply and demand suggests an energy gap could emerge in the early 2030s, even if all committed and likely investments are delivered without delay.
Australia’s energy commission targets lower solar curtailment
Australia’s Energy Market Commission says introducing a new distribution planning framework and undertaking enhanced data reporting will help to reduce rooftop solar curtailment.
