How temperature affects tandem solar cell performance
New outdoor tests conducted at German research center the Fraunhofer ISE have shown that an increase in temperature affects the performance of a tandem perovskite/silicon solar cell not only because of voltage losses but also because of current mismatch between the two sub-cells.
Too cheap to keep: How throwing away power is the best way to balance the grid
Don’t build a battery that costs $1 billion, only works 2% of the time and only moves around 100 GWh of electricity. Instead, build an Energy Imbalance Market or an Extended Day Ahead Market for $100 million that moves around hundreds of GWh of electricity.
Twitter predicts the US Department of Energy Secretary in a Joe Biden administration
If Biden wins and if Twitter is accurate, the next DOE secretary will be…
Energy funding: Voltus raises $25 million for demand response and DERs, plus VC for new solar silicon production
And $156 million for energy retrofits from Redaptive.
Solar startup wins $7.6 million in VC funding for innovative ribbon silicon furnaces
Leading Edge Equipment Technologies falls in the kerfless solar wafer or direct solar wafer category. According to the company, its “drop-in” manufacturing technology reduces wafer costs by 50%, increases commercial solar panel power by up to 7%, and reduces manufacturing emissions by over 50%. It’s the emissions piece that might be winning over investors.
Can CIGS thin-film solar manufacturing re-emerge in the US? Can First Solar play a role?
A scientist intimate with First Solar’s earlier efforts in CIGS makes the case for the CdTe pioneer to re-enter the technology.
Breaking news: US Presidential candidate speaks cogently about energy transition
Joe Biden, a U.S. presidential candidate, is encouraging an equitable energy transition, upgraded transmission infrastructure and rejoining the Paris climate accord.
Canadian Solar to launch 600+ W photovoltaic module
Bigger PV module designs are now hitting the market, but the production of larger, more powerful solar panels is challenging. Canadian Solar is launching its new Series 7 modules with pv magazine in a webinar on Oct. 29. Our editorial team recently caught up with Canadian Solar’s chairman and CEO, Shawn Qu, and director of module R&D, Alan Xu, to discuss the company’s latest efforts to shake up the market.
A solar module stress test for all seasons
Scientists led by NREL have developed a new stress testing protocol for PV modules, one designed to simultaneously expose modules to multiple stresses, as they likely would be in the field. Putting modules through this test, the researchers have already been able to reveal new information regarding backsheet degradation, and they promise new insights into other degradation mechanisms.
Vietnam opens 450 MW solar plant
Ho Chi Minh City-based construction company Trungnam Group said its army of laborers took just 45 days to perform site clearance for a project which took shape within 102 days.
