Solar tiles connected to an air heat pump
Germany’s Paxos is currently testing the solar tile in a testing facility connected to an air heat pump. The panel can provide heat and electricity at the same time, while also improving the heat pump’s coefficient of performance by around 25%.
Cooling down solar modules by increasing space between panel rows
A U.S. research team claims to have demonstrated that increasing the spacing of solar panels between rows improves PV system efficiency and economics by allowing airflow to cool down the modules. The method could improve a project’s LCOE by as much as 2.15% in certain climates.
It’s time to combat utility opposition to solar
As part of Aurora Solar’s Empower 2022 online solar summit, Bernadette Del Chiaro, from the California Solar & Storage Association, will moderate a talk about electric utilities and how they have abused their monopoly position to discriminate against solar in the U.S. Here, she gives pv magazine a taste of the presentation.
Sunrise brief: California requires utilities to develop and post hourly retail electric rates
Also on the rise: A globalized supply chain is key to cutting costs in solar module manufacturing. Enphase to open several U.S. manufacturing lines. And more.
Enphase to open several U.S. manufacturing lines
The solar inverter provider’s announcement was made amid a Q3 earnings call with record revenues reported.
Semi-solid flow battery tech promises to lower production costs by up to 40%
While still using conventional lithium-ion raw materials, 24M’s technology is said to reduce the number of steps required to manufacture battery cells and thereby the cost by up to 40%. The US company’s SemiSolid design is also said to deliver improved energy density, safety and recyclability.
A globalized supply chain is key to cutting costs in solar module manufacturing
A study published in Nature finds that a globalized supply chain of solar saved countries $67 billion in solar module production costs.
Saint-Gobain signs 200 MW solar power purchase agreement with TotalEnergies
The construction and industrial manufacturer and distributor signed an agreement to source solar-generated electricity for its 145 industrial sites.
California requires utilities to develop and post hourly retail electric rates
Hourly pricing is intended to shift some load to periods of high renewables generation, when wholesale power prices are lower. Some customers are expected to opt in to hourly rates with the support of automated demand-shifting technology.
People on the move: BayWa r.e., Empower Energies, Sophos Harbert, and more
Job moves in solar, storage, cleantech, utilities, and energy transition finance.
