Thirty-five countries now operate GW-scale annual PV markets
The latest report from the International Energy Agency’s Photovoltaic Power Systems Program highlights that 2024 was another record year for solar installations globally but large overcapacities of solar cell, module and wafer manufacturing continued.
Perovksite solar cell based on MXene achieves 25.13% efficiency
A Chinese research group claims to have achieved remarkable efficiency and stability in a solar cell based on a perovskite absorber incorporating MXene, a novel type of 2D material known for its excellent conductivity, chemical stability, and thermal resilience. The device reportedly retained 80% of its initial efficiency after 500 hours.
Australia leads international zero-carbon silicon recovery research
Australian researchers are collaborating with organisations in India, Indonesia and the United States to develop a zero-carbon, automated end-of-life solar panel recycling process using robots to recover ultra-pure silicon.
Researchers trial AI-enabled wireless thermal runaway sensing system
Researchers from the University of New South Wales are building and validating a prototype of their AI-enabled wireless sensing system that can spot dangerous heat in lithium-ion batteries before it progresses to thermal runaway.
Ark Energy wins planning approval for 435 MW Richmond Valley solar farm
The New South Wales government has granted planning approval to the 500 MWdc / 435 MW solar farm componant of Ark Energy’s Richmond Valley hybrid project, which will be co-located with a 475 MW / 2,200 MWh battery energy storage system.
Project Southgate to support 5.1 GW of solar, storage, hydro and wind
Developers of a series of artificial intelligence factories being built across Australia at a cost of $73.3 billion, say they will be 100% powered by renewable energy and could stimulate 5.1 GW of solar, storage, hydro and wind projects.
Shadow-aware route planning for vehicle-integrated photovoltaics
Japanese researchers have proposed a method for future vehicle-integrated photovoltaic route planning. It integrates environmental shading effects based on satellite and geographic information system data.
5 GW renewable generation sought in Capacity Investment Scheme Tender 7
Bids have opened for the Capacity Investment Scheme Tender 7 seeking 5 GW of generation in the National Electricity Market, with caveats to be operational by 31 December 2030 and have a forecast generation profile that displaces more fossil fuel generation.
Rooftop solar waste tsunami could come 10 years early if users chase savings
In a novel study to further solar waste forecasting in Australia, the economic decisions of rooftop solar owners have been shown to fast forward waste and recovery needs 10 years earlier than a system’s warranty.
Queensland university $2.2 million grant win promises boost to battery supply chain
Researchers at the Queensland University of Technology have secured $2.2 million for a project to diversify cathode production for batteries in the Indo-Pacific region alongside 11 research projects receiving funds from a $24 million federal government pool.
