JinkoSolar claims 23.86% efficiency for n-type, TOPCon monocrystalline panel
JinkoSolar’s newest PV module has an efficiency rating of 23.86%. It is based on its TOPCon mono cell tech, which achieved a record efficiency of 26.1% in October, as confirmed by TÜV Rheinland.
Long Duration Energy Storage funding opportunity for up to $350 million
U.S. Department of Energy announced a funding opportunity for demonstration projects capable of delivering electricity for 10 to 24 hours or more.
A majority of new solar panels will retain 80% production after 30 years
A five-year Sandia Labs study of new solar module degradation found that 13 of 23 tested module types would have effective lifetimes exceeding 30 years.
CSA Group opens EV, energy storage testing and standards facility
Ohio-based testing and certification facility to provide services to energy storage and EV equipment manufacturers.
Federal agencies are pursuing 37 R&D areas to help reach climate goals
A net-zero power grid with electrification is a priority area for research and development, says an interagency assessment, with R&D needed to advance distribution systems, transmission planning, long duration energy storage, and use of highways for transmission.
Underground heat exchanger to cool down solar panels
Spanish scientists have built a cooling system featuring heat exchangers on solar panels and U-shape heat exchangers installed in a borehole at a depth of 15 meters. The researchers claim that this reduces panel temperatures by up to 17%, while improving performance by about 11%.
Algae could boost solar panel efficiency by 4%
A Swedish team has inaugurated a pilot facility to mass produce algae material that can potentially boost silicon solar module efficiency by 4% and thin film by 36%. The algae are added to the encapsulant in silicon-based modules or to the anti-reflective coating on the glass of thin film modules. The team estimates the resulting modules would be 3.9% cheaper.
Sunrise brief: It’s time to combat utility opposition to solar
Also on the rise: U.S. Army builds further resilience with flow battery pilot project at Fort Carson. Cooling down solar modules by increasing space between panel rows. And more.
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%.
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.
