US researchers identify rising number of solar siting restrictions
Columbia University researchers have identified 59 new renewable energy siting restrictions across 35 US states, taking the total to 228. They noted that nine state-level restrictions are severe enough to block projects.
New nanocoating to improve solar module output
India’s TriNANO Technologies has developed a nanocoating for solar modules that reportedly increases the panel’s power generation by up to 4% owing to its light trapping, anti-reflection and self-cleaning properties. It also lowers the panel temperature by 2-3 degrees Celsius compared to non-coated panels.
All solar cell efficiencies at a glance – updated
The research group led by Professor Martin Green has published Version 62 of the solar cell efficiency tables. There are 21 new results reported in the new version, a record number for the Tables.
Lhyfe launches world’s first offshore hydrogen project
Lhyfe has started producing offshore hydrogen via a pilot project in France, and Toyota and its partners have agreed to invest in hydrogen in Thailand. The Australian authorities, meanwhile, have approved a hydrogen project in Victoria.
Insolation Energy plans 600 MW solar cell manufacturing facility
The Rajasthan-based solar module manufacturer is setting up a 600 MW PV cell production facility. It is also expanding its panel production capacity to 1.2 GW from the current 700 MW.
Solar-driven photoreactors to generate hydrogen on rooftops
Scientists led by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have designed panel-like photoreactors relying on a water-splitting photocatalyst that could produce hydrogen on rooftops or dedicated solar farms. They claim the photoreactors have high economic potential because of their ‘extremely’ low costs.
Germany seeking proposals for 10 GW of solar factories
Solar manufacturers have until Aug. 15 to submit PV factory proposals to the German authorities.
India’s first hydrogen train to run on Jind-Sonipat route
Indian Railways plans to run 35 hydrogen trains on various heritage and hill routes in India.
Epsilon Advanced Materials plans $650 million EV battery anode facility in USA
India’s Epsilon Advanced Materials will invest $650 million to set up a graphite anode processing facility in the USA. The facility will produce high-capacity synthetic anode materials for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
Panasonic introduces new home battery
Panasonic’s EverVolt home battery supports DC and AC coupling for new and existing solar arrays.
