Thin-film agrivoltaic solar tubes
German tech company Tube Solar AG has secured €10.8 million to develop its cylindrical agrivoltaic modules. The lightweight devices could also be used on roofs until now considered unsuitable for PV.
REIL seeks 1.2 million multi-crystalline silicon solar cells
September 24 is the last date to submit bids for supplying 1.2 million quantities of multi-crystalline silicon solar cells, half of which is tendered under the domestic content requirement category. Cells are required in peak power ratings of 4.50W (4/5-busbar), 4.60W (5-busbar) and 4.67W (5-busbar).
Solar leaders call for overhaul to navigate Covid-19
Faced with raw material and labor shortages, solar manufacturers have stressed the need to find alternative supply chains and to push automation and internet of things applications on the factory floor to keep production running.
More efficient large-area organic solar cells with spin coating
Researchers in South Korea have used the process to increase performance and the replicability of large-area organic cells. The method was used during film formation to speed up solvent evaporation.
The long read: Bottom-optimization
With bifacial modules making their way into the mainstream, tracker manufacturers and energy companies are operating test facilities around the world. To drive the LCOE as low as possible, tracker manufacturers now also care about what is happening underneath the modules, and not just above. As the power comes from light reflected from the ground, increasing that reflectivity has been mooted by many stakeholders. This is not without complication, however, and the quest for optimization goes into the next round.
Local content requirement costs for large-scale PV in India
A UK-German research team analyzed solar auctions in India between 2014 and 2017 and has determined that local content requirements have driven up PV costs by an average of 6% per kilowatt-hour.
UK’s Power Roll trials low-cost, flexible solar-and-storage system in Himalayan villages
The system will use an innovative solar film developed by Power Roll that can be manufactured for just $0.03/Watt and deployed on a wide range of non-load bearing buildings, including agricultural and warehouse roofs.
Petroleum minister: Half state fuel stations will be solar-powered in five years
Petroleum and natural gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan said India had received proposals for more than 10 GW of solar equipment manufacturing capacity under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan mission announced by Narendra Modi.
Machine-learning for PV module cleaning
French researchers have developed a machine-learning model to clean low-power PV projects and standalone solar arrays in rural areas isolated from the grid.
India’s solar future: Domestic first, international second
The International Solar Alliance signals India’s hope to be a global competitor in emerging technologies and cement its place as an institution builder. But how does India’s vision translate into domestic policy? Has India led by example?
