Sunrise brief: Solar panels: Larger, thinner… and weaker?
Also on the rise: TOPCon risks. Positive early results from first test of perovskite tandem solar cells in space.
Positive early results from first test of perovskite tandem solar cells in space
The perovskite-silicon and thin-film tandem solar cells were developed by Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and placed on an OOV-Cube small satellite to test their reactions to high levels of radiation—and whether “soft” perovskite solar cells can heal after taking on radiation damage.
Solving the UV problem of n-type solar
Laboratory testing has revealed that some negatively-doped, “n-type” tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) and heterojunction (HJT) solar modules are susceptible to ultraviolet (UV) light-related damage and degradation. That could mean trouble down the line, if modules in the field begin to show UV-related performance loss. Manufacturers are implementing solutions at cell and module level.
Powering restaurants with rooftop PV, reversible fuel cells
Researchers have simulated the operation of bifacial PV and proton exchange membrane reversible fuel cells across restaurants in five different U.S. states. Taking into account varying rates of bifacial PV’s rearside gains, they found that LCOE was as low as $0.029 per kWh.
Sunrise brief: IEA forecasts over 4,000 GW of new solar by 2030
Also on the rise: Form Energy raises $405 million for its multi-day iron-air batteries. Bipartisan initiative to accelerate deployment of distributed energy resources in U.S. And more.
New research shows vulnerability of TOPCon solar cells to contact corrosion
Researchers at the University of New South Wales claim to have identified new TOPCon contact degradation mechanisms that are significantly influenced by the combination of ions and aluminum-silver paste compositions. The primary degradation mechanism was a significant increase in series resistance.
Rotating, vertical floating PV system for offshore applications
An international group of scientists has designed a patented mooring tech and a vertical PV system that reportedly allows the bifacial solar panels to align with the prevailing wind direction to shed wind loads. Depending on a project’s latitude, the system can deliver different power yield.
Storing solar power through aluminum-rock composite
UK-based Caldera has developed a new heat storage technology that can reportedly convert on-site generated solar power into on-demand heat, thus replacing conventional gas boilers. The system uses a composite of recycled aluminum and volcanic rocks to store heat at up to 500 C and produce steam.
Thin-film tandem solar in the U.S.
Tandem solar-cell technology featuring silicon has been widely researched but materials such as perovskites, paired with established thin-film solar or with other perovskite cells, are pointing to a new development path.
U.S. DOE announces $125 million to fund two Energy Innovation Hubs
The U.S. Department of Energy will provide $125 million in funding for two Energy Innovation Hub teams to accelerate energy storage technologies. The research focus will be energy storage for both transport and stationary storage applications.
