Carbon electrode perovskite solar cells on track to commercialization
Carbon electrode back-contacts for perovskite solar cells promise simpler, less energy-intense manufacturing, but low power conversion efficiency has held back adoption. However, this may change now, as researchers are overcoming the barriers to commercialization.
What causes batteries to degrade?
Having discussed battery chemistry in a previous article, Volytica diagnostics here examines the causes of battery degradation and how to extend device lifetimes, ahead of a pv magazine webinar tomorrow.
Solar for water deionization
Scientists in Canada have combined PV power generation with water purification based on capacitive deionization (CDI), which is claimed to have low operational cost, enhanced energy efficiency, and less water rejection than conventional purification techniques. The solar-powered system prototype is able to produce more water than a conventional CDI system on a sunny day.
IEA-PVPS releases guide for applying innovation system approach to BIPV
IEA-PVPS has published a new handbook that provides support for Technological Innovation System (TIS) analysis for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).
Anode-less redox flow batteries capable of fast cycling
Researchers in the US have demonstrated that replacing the planar lithium anode in a redox mediated lithium-sulfur redox flow battery with a high surface area scaffold enables 10 times faster cycling, up to 10 mA cm−2, without short circuit or voltage instability.
Ascent Solar increases CIGS thin-film solar cell efficiency to 15.2%
The significant increase over previous efficiencies achieved is attributed to replacing cadmium sulfide in manufacturing process with a new material.
Floating PV plant operators may achieve additional revenue through non-evaporated water
A group of researchers from Italy investigated the economic competitiveness of various ground mounted and floating PV systems with regard to cost and performance, taking into consideration revenues due to reduced water evaporations. They found that the use of non-evaporated water at photovoltaic system sites can achieve revenues greater than $3/kW if used for irrigation and higher than $4/kW if sold to generate hydroelectricity.
Vermont startup joins partnership to commercialize perovskite solar
Verde Technologies is partnering with NREL and Northern Illinois University on developing new manufacturing techniques for producing stable, safe, low-cost and recyclable perovskite solar cells.
Scientists outline innovation pathways for PV technologies
Continued innovation in PV cell technology will have major impacts as PV is deployed at “multi-terawatt scale” over the next two decades, says a global team of scientists.
Multi-generation photovoltaic leaf to produce electricity, thermal energy, water
A UK research team has developed a photovoltaic leaf concept that can produce electricity, water and thermal energy in a single device. The system, inspired by a leaf, is based on a biomimetic transpiration (BT) layer that cools down the embedded PV unit and utilizes excess heat from the cell to produce water and heat energy.
