India’s installed solar power capacity surpasses 70 GW
The nation installed a cumulative solar power capacity of 70.10 GW as of June 30, 2023. Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka together account for more than 50% of the overall PV installations.
Using shunts to spot PV module degradation
Scientists in Ireland investigated the effect of shunt resistance on a PV cell’s electrical performance. The group says its finding could potentially lead to the development of models for early detection of various forms of cell degradation, allowing for intervention to repair or replace components before major power losses occur.
Going beyond renewable/non-renewable dichotomy
Scientists in India have proposed a new classification of energy sources that is intended for the adoption and definition of emerging technologies, which they said conventional taxonomies fail to achieve.
Australian manufacturer unveils 5.12 kWh battery for residential applications
Vaulta, an Australian battery tech company, has developed its first dedicated residential battery. The small-scale energy storage system can purportedly operate for 4,000 cycles, with an 80% depth of discharge.
Australian startup unveils new wall-mounted residential EV chargers
Evos, an Australian startup specializing in electric-vehicle charging technology, has unveiled its first home chargers. The 7 kW wall-mounted devices are designed to add driving range to EVs for every hour they are plugged in.
India installed 6.8 GW of solar in H1 2023
Capacity addition in the rooftop solar segment stood at 2,294 MW, which is higher than the yearly rooftop PV installations of 2022.
Waaree Renewable reports improved revenue, profit in first quarter
Waaree Renewable Technologies recorded a revenue of INR 129 crore ($15.8 million) and a net profit of INR 11.1 crore in the April-to-June period of FY 2023-24.
German research institute unveils 99.74% efficient power electronics for solid-fuel heat pumps
Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics (IAF) has developed an ultra-efficient circuit topology for voltage converters with an electrical efficiency of 99.74%. The tech could considerably raise the coefficient of performance for electrocaloric heat pumps and the scientists are now considering components based on semiconductor gallium nitride (GaN) for higher power density and efficiency.
Germany deployed 6.26 GW of solar in H1
Germany installed more than 1 GW of new PV systems in June alone. Its cumulative installed PV capacity hit 73.8 GW at the end of the first half of this year.
Addressing the intricacies of BIPV fire safety
The adoption of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) has been hindered by the complexity of fire safety standards, creating challenges for manufacturers and suppliers. However, efforts such as the IEA PVPS Task 15 report and collaborative research have shed light on the importance of comprehensive guidelines, reliable testing laboratories, and international cooperation.
